Daniel Neeson announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Natalie Ackerman on Sunday, sharing photos of a Hudson River proposal and an engagement party in New York.
The 29-year-old, who co-founded De Nada Tequila, posted images on Instagram showing him on one knee and the couple celebrating with friends at an Irish pub in Manhattan. He captioned the proposal photo, "Life is beautiful." Guests at the celebration sipped cocktails made with De Nada Tequila, including drinks Daniel promoted with names such as the Tulane Bombshell and the Dingus Paloma.
Daniel, who is the younger son of actor Liam Neeson and the late Natasha Richardson, and Ackerman, a New York-based fashion marketing manager, met while students at Tulane University in New Orleans and have been together about eight years. The couple, who live in New York, celebrated with friends at a Manhattan pub where bespoke cocktails made from Daniel’s tequila brand were served. Video clips shared on social media showed the pair embracing, cutting a white cake decorated with flowers and Ackerman displaying a diamond engagement ring.
Ackerman is 28. Daniel’s older brother, Michael Richardson, is an actor. Their mother, Richardson, died in 2009 at age 45 after a head injury sustained in a skiing accident; Daniel was 12 at the time. In an Instagram post on the anniversary of her death last year, he paid tribute to her and wrote that he takes solace knowing she is "beside me every step of the way."
The engagement announcement comes as Daniel’s father, 73-year-old Liam Neeson, has been the subject of media attention for his publicized relationship with Pamela Anderson, 58. The two co-starred in the Naked Gun reboot and were seen together during promotional appearances this summer, prompting both coverage and speculation about the nature of their relationship.
Anderson addressed suggestions that their romance is a publicity stunt while accepting the Deauville 2025 Talent Award, saying, "I do not and will never feed into PR stunts. That would be a death sentence. I'm authentically driven." Neeson, speaking about Anderson earlier in the press tour, said, "I’m madly in love with her. She’s just terrific to work with. I can’t compliment her enough."
Friends and associates quoted in recent reports have defended the authenticity of Neeson and Anderson’s relationship, calling claims of a staged romance "ridiculous" and saying the pair have a genuine connection. Daniel Neeson’s engagement marks a quieter, personal milestone for the family amid public scrutiny of his father’s private life.
No details about wedding plans were disclosed in Daniel Neeson’s announcement, and representatives for the family did not immediately respond to requests for comment.