Long before the Sundance Institute became an independent film powerhouse and Hollywood awarded lifetime achievement honors, a young actor named Robert Redford married a college dropout from Utah named Lola Van Wagenen. Their marriage lasted from 1958 to 1985, spanning nearly three decades of massive cultural shifts, soaring cinematic success, and profound private heartbreak. While public narratives often reduce her to a footnote in a movie star's biography, Van Wagenen shaped much of Redford's connection to the American West and built an influential academic and environmental career of her own.
Understanding their bond requires looking past the glamour of 1960s Hollywood. Their partnership was anchored in mutual ambition, shared roots in Utah, and a mutual dedication to raising a family away from the traditional traps of celebrity culture. When the marriage ultimately ended, both managed a quiet transition that preserved their family's stability.
Meeting in Los Angeles and Early Marriage
Lola Van Wagenen was born in Provo, Utah, in 1938 and raised in a strict Mormon household. She headed to Los Angeles as a young adult, where she crossed paths with Robert Redford in 1957. At the time, Redford was an aspiring actor trying to find his footing in television and theater. They married quickly in Las Vegas on August 9, 1958, when she was just 19 years old and he was 22.
The early years of their marriage weren't glamorous. They lived on meager earnings while Redford studied painting in Europe and picked up small television roles in New York. Their lives shifted dramatically when tragedy struck. In 1959, their firstborn son, Scott, died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at just two and a half months old. Redford later spoke candidly about how the loss created a lifelong scar, as young parents frequently internalize misplaced guilt. They welcomed three surviving children over the next decade—Shauna, James, and Amy—who helped anchor the couple through Redford's skyrocketing fame.
Shaping the Sundance Legacy and Utah Roots
Van Wagenen's influence on Redford's career extends far beyond emotional support. Because she hailed from Utah, she helped introduce the actor to the rugged landscapes of the Mountain West. This exposure inspired Redford to purchase land in Provo Canyon, which eventually became the foundation for his lifelong commitment to environmental preservation and the birth of the Sundance community.
As Redford transitioned from a television actor to an A-list movie star following films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the couple deliberately chose to keep their children away from Los Angeles. They raised their family primarily in New York and Utah. Van Wagenen managed the household while carving out space for her own intellectual pursuits, long before it was common for Hollywood spouses to maintain independent public profiles.
Environmental Activism and Academic Pursuits
While Redford fought for conservation through public advocacy and land preservation, Van Wagenen built an independent legacy in environmentalism and education. In 1970, she co-founded Consumer Action Now (CAN), an early and influential non-profit organization dedicated to household energy conservation and ecological awareness. She understood that everyday consumer choices drove environmental degradation, prompting her to educate the public on sustainable living long before green initiatives entered the corporate mainstream.
Van Wagenen also returned to higher education while raising her children. She earned her bachelor's degree from Vermont College in 1982, followed by a master's degree in public history from New York University in 1984. She didn't stop there. She completed her Ph.D. in American history at NYU in 1994, writing a doctoral dissertation that explored the political history of nineteenth-century women. Her research culminated in the critically acclaimed book Sister-Wives and Suffragists: Polygamy and the Politics of Woman Suffrage 1870–1896.
Later in life, she co-founded Clio Visualizing History, a non-profit dedicated to making American history engaging for students through multimedia projects, and worked as an executive producer on historical documentaries like The State of Marriage. You can read more about her scholarly work and life milestones on her Wikipedia page.
The Quiet Divorce and Life After Separation
By the early 1980s, the pressures of fame, constant travel, and evolving personal goals began to strain the marriage. Rumors of a separation circulated for years before the couple officially divorced in 1985, concluding 27 years of marriage.
Unlike many high-profile Hollywood splits defined by bitter public litigation, Redford and Van Wagenen parted ways with mutual respect. Redford admitted in interviews that he had deeply wanted to prove that a marriage in the entertainment business could last, noting that while they couldn't sustain the romance, they shared immense pride in the stable environment they provided for their children.
Following the divorce, Van Wagenen continued her academic and professional endeavors. In July 2002, she married Dr. George Burrill, an international development expert and honorary consul. She remains active in philanthropy, serving on boards tied to historical preservation and education. Redford later married artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen marry?
They tied the knot in Las Vegas on August 9, 1958, after meeting in Los Angeles a year prior.
How many children did they have?
They shared four children: Scott, Shauna, James, and Amy. Their firstborn son, Scott, passed away from SIDS in infancy.
What is Lola Van Wagenen's profession?
She is a noted American historian, environmental activist, and documentary film producer. She holds a Ph.D. in American history from New York University and co-founded Consumer Action Now.
Why did their marriage end?
After 27 years together, the couple drifted apart due to the grueling demands of Redford's acting career and personal growth. They separated quietly in 1985 without public acrimony.
