Liv Tyler grew up thinking one man was her father, only to later find out that her biological father was someone else entirely — Aerosmith’s lead singer, Steven Tyler. This discovery wasn’t just a conversation with her mother but something she figured out on her own. Here’s how it all happened.
Growing Up as Liv Rundgren
Liv Tyler was born on July 1, 1977, in New York City. Her mother Bebe Buell was a singer and model who had dated musician Todd Rundgren. Steven Tyler was struggling with drug addiction when Liv was born, so Bebe decided to keep his identity a secret. Instead, Todd Rundgren signed Liv’s birth certificate, gave her his last name, and took care of her like his own daughter.
Liv spent her early years between New York and Maine, staying with her mother, grandparents, and other relatives. Her parents weren’t together, but Todd was always part of her life. He supported her financially and made sure she had a good education. Liv later said she was grateful to him for stepping up and being there for her, even though he knew she might not be his biological child.
The First Clues: A Concert and a Poster
Liv believed Todd Rundgren was her real father for years. That changed when she attended an Aerosmith concert as a kid and saw Mia Tyler, Steven Tyler’s daughter from another relationship. The resemblance between them was too strong to ignore.
Later, at home, Liv looked at an Aerosmith poster on her wall and had a moment of realization. Something about Steven Tyler felt familiar, but she didn’t know why. She later wrote in her diary: “I think Steven is my father.”
She met Steven Tyler for the first time at a Todd Rundgren concert when she was nine years old. He bought her a Shirley Temple (a non-alcoholic cocktail), and even though she didn’t know who he was at the time, she said she felt an instant connection with him.
Confronting the Truth at Age 11
At 11 years old, Liv finally asked her mother about Steven Tyler. Bebe Buell had no choice but to tell her the truth — Steven was, in fact, her biological father.
Bebe and Todd planned to wait until Liv was 18 to tell her, but she had already figured it out. Liv later said that meeting Steven felt like something “bigger than her,” almost like a spiritual moment.
She started building a relationship with Steven after learning the truth. She even changed her last name from Rundgren to Tyler.
Two Fathers, One Family
She now knew Steven was her biological father, but Liv never stopped considering Todd Rundgren as a father figure. She said she was grateful to him for stepping up when she was a child and still valued their bond.
On the other hand, getting to know Steven was a new experience. She noticed that they had similar mannerisms and even moved in the same way. Over time, she formed strong relationships with her half-siblings, including Mia Tyler, Chelsea Tyler, and Taj Tallarico.
Liv often described both of her fathers as ‘unconventional’ and compared them to ‘unicorns or wizards’ because of their artistic personalities.
Her Connection with Steven Tyler Today
Liv and Steven grew very close over the years. She even appeared in Aerosmith’s 1993 music video for ‘Crazy,’ which helped boost her modeling and acting career. When she starred in the 1998 film Armageddon, Steven and Aerosmith recorded the song ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.’
In 2015, when Liv gave birth to her son Sailor, Steven rushed to the hospital and arrived just in time to cut the umbilical cord.
Today, Steven is an active grandfather to Liv’s children—Milo, Sailor, and Lula. Liv says he isn’t a traditional grandfather, but he’s fun, playful, and full of energy. Her kids call him “Papa Stevie,” and he enjoys making silly animal noises and playing with them.
