10 celebs who have had to face the loss of a beloved partner
In the realm of celebrity glitz and glamour, death is a harsh reminder that fame's sparkle can't shield stars from life's brutal blows. Sandra Bullock, Celine Dion and John Travolta have all faced the gut-wrenching loss of a beloved partner. They have also shown remarkable strength, bearing that grief, while in the public eye.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger's romance blossomed after meeting on the set of 'Brokeback Mountain'. Welcoming a daughter, Matilda, in 2005, their relationship unfortunately met its end two years later. Tragedy struck in 2008, when Ledger died due to an accidental drug overdose. Williams later reflected “Every time I really miss him and wonder where he’s gone, I just look at her," reported US Weekly.
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock, 59, recently endured the loss of her partner and "love of her life," Bryan Randall, 57, to ALS on August 5. The Oscar-winning actress met the photographer in 2015 when he was hired to take photos at her son, Louis' birthday party. Though the pair never legally married, they symbolically exchanged "vows" in a beachside ceremony in the Bahamas on December 31, 2017, as per MEAWW.
Allison Holker
The 'Dancing With the Stars' pro had been wed to Stephen "tWitch" Boss for nine years until his passing in December 2022. The famed choreographer sadly took his own life at the age of 40. "He was someone that was just beautiful, and he lived his life from love and he made you feel a certain way," she penned in an Instagram tribute in February 2023.
Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson first crossed paths in 1993 during their collaboration on Broadway's Anna Christie. Their connection ignited amid rumors of romance, which surfaced after the British star's divorce from producer Robert Fox. Following their wedding, Neeson and Richardson became parents to their sons Micheál in 1995, and Daniel, in 1996. Tragedy struck in 2009 when Richardson lost her life due to a traumatic brain injury sustained from a fall during a skiing vacation, as per Pop Sugar.
Celine Dion
The singer's journey intertwined with René Angélil's when he initially served as her manager. Their bond deepened, culminating in their engagement in 1993 and subsequent marriage a year later. The couple's family expanded with the arrival of their son René-Charles in 2001, followed by the birth of fraternal twins Eddy and Nelson in October 2010. Sadly, the producer's life was claimed by throat cancer in January 2016, reported People.
Lea Michele
Following their portrayal of Rachel and Finn's love story on Glee, Lea Michele and Cory Monteith's own romance flourished offscreen in 2012. Tragically, just a year later, at the age of 31, the actor's life was cut short due to an accidental death from "combined heroin and alcohol toxicity," as per the Coroner's report. Notably, Monteith had undergone a stint in rehab in the months leading up to his untimely passing.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves was first linked to Jennifer Syme in 1998. The 'John Wick' and 'Ellie Parker' stars endured the devastating loss of their stillborn daughter in December 1999. Despite parting ways initially, Reeves and Syme later rekindled their relationship. But then, Reeves had to mourn the death of Syme when she was tragically killed in a car accident in 2001.
John Travolta
In 1987, John Travolta met Kelly Preston while filming 'The Experts'. They married four years later and had three children, Jett in 1992, Ella in 2000, and Benjamin in 2010. Tragedy struck in January 2009 when Jett died at 16 from a seizure. Then, in July 2020, the 'Grease' star shared that his wife, Kelly, passed away at 57 after a two-year battle with breast cancer, according to People.
Michelle Dockery
Th Michelle Dockery and John Dineen love story began in 2013, sparked by an introduction from her costar Allen Leech. Their relationship deepened over two years, leading to an engagement in 2015. Tragedy struck that same year when Dineen, battling a rare cancer, sadly passed away at the age of 34, reported ABC News.
Tiffany Thornton
The Disney alum tied the knot with Chris Carney in 2011, following a two-year engagement. In the years that followed, Thornton became a mother, welcoming son Kenneth in 2012 and son Bentley in 2014. Tragedy struck when Carney, a former member of the band 'Prom Kings', lost his life in a car accident at the age of 35. The fatal crash occurred when his vehicle collided with a tree.
