Daniel Neeson, the 29-year-old son of actor Liam Neeson and the late Natasha Richardson, has publicly shared details of his recent surgery for a congenital heart defect. In an Instagram post, he revealed he underwent an operation for a Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV), a condition where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three.
Neeson explained that about 2% of the population has BAV, often unknowingly, and it can remain dormant for years. He had been monitored with biannual check-ups for most of his life before requiring intervention due to severe left ventricle dilation and aortic enlargement.
"Nothing is more empowering than understanding your health," Neeson wrote. He described the surgery as a "ceremony, not a procedure," and expressed deep gratitude to his surgical team at Weill Cornell / NewYork-Presbyterian and his fiancée, Natalie Ackerman, for their support.
He encouraged everyone to have their hearts checked by a cardiologist and to advocate for their own health. The post received supportive comments from celebrities like Laura Linney and Andy Cohen.