Liam Neeson's sonDaniel Neesonrevealed that he underwent surgery to treat a congenital heart defect he has lived with his whole life.
In aMarch 3 Instagram post, the "Naked Gun" actor's son said he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with only two leaflets instead of the normalthree, which can cause valve failure or enlargement of the aorta. Only about 1 to 2 percent of the human population has it, and it is twice as common in males, according to theCleveland Clinic.
Throughout his life, the 29-year-old has been seeing doctors twice a year for cardiology checkups to monitor his heart, but eventually experienced severe left ventricle dilation and aortic enlargement, he said. While he was hoping not to undergo surgery until later in his life, Daniel said he "drew the early-bird straw."
"Nothing is more empowering than understanding your health, staying on top of your game, and planning ahead. Health is about being proactive, not reactive," he wrote in the post's caption.
"There's something surreal about realizing that one of your biggest challenges was quietly developing inside you your entire life," he continued. "No dramatic warning. Just science, genetics, and timing."
Daniel Neeson encourages others to 'advocate for yourself'
While he prides himself on overcoming his own challenges and controlling his environment, Daniel said he had to accept that it wasn't possible with his treatment. He learned to place his faith in the surgeons, nurses and entire ICU team looking after him.
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"Trusting that even if I couldn't control the outcome, I could control my mindset and my deeper consciousness," he said. "Overcoming this wasn't about being fearless. It was about leaning into the healing energy and being as present as possible. I looked at this operation as a ceremony, not a procedure."
Daniel encouraged others with health conditions to always "advocate for yourself and listen to your body. Everyone should have their hearts checked by a cardiologist, even if they don't have any known defects."
"Most importantly, surrender to the present moment. Don't live in fear. The universe has your back when you learn to dance with it," he said.
He also thanked his fiancée, Natalie Ackerman, whom he proposed to in September 2025 after eight years together, according toPeople.
Daniel is one of the two sons that the "Taken" actor has. His older brother is 30-year-old Micheál Neeson, 30, whose acting credits include Liam Neeson movies "Cold Pursuit" and "Made in Italy."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Liam Neeson's son Daniel Neeson underwent surgery for heart condition
