Robert Redford Marriages: Life, Love, And Legacy

Behind the cinematic triumphs and weathered charisma of Robert Redford lies a private life defined by two long-term marriages. While his career on screen spanned decades, his personal journey centers around his 27-year marriage to historian Lola Van Wagenen and his later partnership with German artist Sibylle Szaggars.

Understanding Redford's personal life means looking past the Hollywood gloss. His relationships shaped his activism, his founding of the Sundance Mountain Resort, and his approach to aging away from the relentless flashbulbs of the media.

The Early Years with Lola Van Wagenen

Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen crossed paths in Los Angeles in 1957. Redford was a young, struggling art student trying to find his footing, and Van Wagenen was a college student raised in Utah. They married on August 9, 1958, in Las Vegas, when Redford was just 22 and Van Wagenen was 19.

• Building a Family: The couple welcomed four children: Scott, Shauna, David James, and Amy.
• Family Tragedies: They faced profound heartbreak early on when their firstborn son, Scott, died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 1959 at just two and a half months old. Decades later, they suffered another devastating loss when their son James passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 58. Their surviving daughters, Shauna and Amy, pursued creative and professional paths out of the direct studio spotlight.
• Shared Ambitions: During their marriage, Redford transitioned from a struggling television actor to an iconic movie star through films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men. Meanwhile, Van Wagenen balanced raising a family with her own academic ambitions, eventually earning a Ph.D. in American history from New York University and co-founding consumer and environmental organizations.

The Quiet Separation and Divorce

After nearly three decades together, Redford and Van Wagenen quietly separated. By 1985, their marriage came to an end. Unlike many high-profile Hollywood splits, their divorce unfolded largely away from the tabloid spotlight.

Both parties moved forward with distinct trajectories. Van Wagenen carved out a respected career as a historian, authoring works on women's suffrage and producing historical documentaries. Redford continued to anchor his life around independent filmmaking, environmental advocacy, and his mountain retreat in Utah.

Finding Artistic Harmony with Sibylle Szaggars

In the late 1990s, Redford met multimedia artist Sibylle Szaggars at the Sundance resort. Unlike many people in Redford's orbit, Szaggars wasn't heavily invested in the film industry. She was focused on her abstract paintings and environmental art installations.

• A Long Courtship: The pair spent more than a decade together as companions, splitting their time between Utah and New Mexico before deciding to marry.
• The Secret Wedding: In July 2009, Redford and Szaggars married in a private ceremony in Hamburg, Germany, surrounded by close family and friends. Redford wore a white suit, and Szaggars wore a champagne-colored gown, keeping the celebration intimate and far removed from Hollywood excess.
• Mutual Respect: Redford frequently credited Szaggars with bringing a fresh, grounding perspective to his later years. Because she valued him as an individual and fellow creator rather than a cinematic icon, their bond thrived on quiet creativity and shared passions for nature.

More details on his career milestones and biographical context are archived by Biography, while his environmental advocacy work is documented through organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times was Robert Redford married?

Robert Redford was married twice. His first marriage was to Lola Van Wagenen from 1958 to 1985, and his second marriage was to Sibylle Szaggars, whom he wed in 2009.

Who is Robert Redford's current wife?

His current wife is Sibylle Szaggars, a German-born multimedia artist. The couple married in 2009 after living together for over a decade.

How many children did Robert Redford have?

Redford had four children with his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen: Scott, Shauna, David James, and Amy. Two of his children, Scott and James, passed away during his lifetime.

Why did Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen divorce?

The couple kept the private reasons for their 1985 split out of the public eye. Their separation was amicable, and both moved forward independently to pursue their respective academic, artistic, and professional goals.