There is a saying that personal tragedies often define you. However, Hollywood’s nicest man Keanu Reeves, despite experiencing a bunch of them, rose through the ashes of despair like a reborn phoenix. He has set an example, not only for the industry but also for the generation that follows him in his footsteps.
The Matrix star recently celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this month. Let’s take a look back at how he was dealt a bad hand by lady luck, but he managed to turn it around.
Keanu Reeves in The Matrix| Warner Bros.
Keanu Reeves gave Hollywood a new messianic figure in the form of The Matrix‘s Neo. His fame and fortune reached new heights as Neo took flight, making the trilogy one of the most successful franchises of all time.
However, tragedy struck when he least expected it. Only a few months following The Matrix‘s release, Keanu Reeves’ long-term girlfriend, Jennifer Syme, delivered a stillborn daughter whom they had named Ava. The ensuing grief resulted in the couple’s decision to end their relationship soon after.
Though they later reconciled, things took a turn for the worse in 2001. While returning from a party hosted by the musician Marilyn Manson, Syme died in a car crash. Reeves seemingly never recovered from the loss, and once told The Guardian:
“Grief and loss, those are things that don’t ever go away. They stay with you.”
It took a really long time for Reeves to move on. But he finally got into a relationship with Alexandra Grant, who he has been dating since 2018.
Keanu Reeves recently celebrated his 60th birthday on 2nd September, and fans were showering him with wishes on social media. A lot of them called him a living legend, and remarked how the John Wick star never seemed to age:
Wow. He’s looks great.
After facing several life-changing traumas, Reeves threw himself completely into his work. But he never let go of his humanity, which is why the whole world is in awe of him. Keanu Reeves’ existence is a big reminder that there’s hope in this ailing world, despite all of its imperfections and challenges.
