Liv Tyler first captivated audiences long before she ever stepped in front of a movie camera. Born on July 1, 1977, in New York City, she seemed destined for the spotlight, with model Bebe Buell as her mother and, as she would improbably discover at age nine, Rockstar Steven Tyler as her father. Yet from the very beginning, Liv carried herself with a gentle grace that set her apart from the clichés of celebrity offspring – almost as if the bright lights couldn’t quite blind her.
You might remember the first time you saw her: maybe she was floating through the chaos of Armageddon or enchanting Middle Earth as Arwen in The Lord of the Rings. There’s always been something otherworldly about Liv – an unhurried, soulful presence. Even amid the whirlwind of fame, she’s maintained a groundedness that feels rare, especially in a world that rewards spectacle over sincerity. Her film choices have often reflected this, gravitating toward roles that favor nuance and complexity over mere box office heat.
Behind the Scenes: Liv’s Personal Life
If Liv’s professional trajectory has been thoughtful, so too has her approach to her personal life – particularly when it comes to relationships. She’s never been one to seek headlines for her romances (though the tabloids, of course, have tried), preferring instead to move at her own rhythm.
Her first real love in the public eye was actor Joaquin Phoenix. The two met on the set of Inventing the Abbotts, and their connection was immediate and palpable. They dated for about three years in the mid-’90s, quietly going their separate ways but remaining on good terms, speaking of each other only with fondness in later interviews.
A few years later, Liv fell for Royston Langdon, frontman of the band Spacehog. They married in 2003 and welcomed their son, Milo, just a year later. Their relationship, lasting a decade in all, faded as quietly as it started. “We just grew apart,” Liv once admitted, her words tinged with both candor and kindness – a theme that runs through much of her life.
Liv’s next long-term relationship began in 2014 with British sports agent Dave Gardner. Together, they made a home between London and New York, welcoming two children, Sailor and Lula, and even getting engaged. When they eventually parted ways in 2021, they prioritized their children, continuing to co-parent with what seems like genuine mutual respect.
What’s most striking is the almost complete absence of public drama. Liv has never been one for serial high-profile rebounds or orchestrated paparazzi moments. “I’ve never been someone who bounces quickly from relationship to relationship,” she once shared in an interview, “I need time to process and heal.” She seems to approach breakups with the same gentle resolve she brings to all aspects of her life.
In the aftermath of her split from Gardner, Liv chose to step away from the spotlight for a while, centering her children and her own wellbeing rather than immediately plunging into her next big project. These days, she splits her time between New York and a peaceful country home – spaces that allow her to slip somewhat below the radar.
Past Relationships
Dave Gardner
Orlando Bloom
Benedict Cumberbatch
Theo Wenner
Vito Schnabel
Charlie Hunnam
Steve Bing
Royston Langdon
Joaquin Phoenix
David Hirsch (I)
Now in her mid-40s, Liv radiates a quiet confidence. There’s no frenzied pursuit of headlines or desperate quest for the next big relationship. Instead, she seems truly at ease with her own company and devoted to her role as a mother. As her story continues to unfold, there’s a sense that whatever comes next will be on her own terms – an approach that, in its understatement, feels quietly revolutionary.