Robert Redford was married twice. His personal life reflects a deliberate choice to balance a massive Hollywood career with long-term relationships, standing apart from the revolving-door romances typical of the film industry.
The primary keyword for this topic, was Robert Redford married, addresses a common curiosity about the iconic actor and director's marital history. While flashier celebrity headlines often dominate pop culture, Redford's actual domestic life followed a much steadier trajectory spanning decades with two primary partners.
The First Marriage: Lola Van Wagenen and Decades of History
Redford's first marriage was to Lola Van Wagenen, a historian and environmental activist. The couple wed in 1958 when Redford was just 22 years old and struggling to establish himself as an actor in New York.
Their marriage lasted for 27 years, officially ending in divorce in 1985. During this nearly three-decade span, Van Wagenen stood beside Redford through his meteoric rise from television guest star to a defining cinematic icon of the 1960s and 1970s, starring in landmarks like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President's Men.
Together, they raised four children:
- Scott Anthony Redford, who tragically died of sudden infant death syndrome in 1959.
- Shauna Redford, a painter.
- James Redford, a documentary filmmaker and writer who passed away from cancer in 2020.
- Amy Redford, an actress, director, and producer.
Despite the intense pressures of Hollywood stardom, Van Wagenen and Redford maintained a private family ranch in Utah, attempting to shield their children from the glare of tabloid culture. When the marriage eventually dissolved in the mid-1980s, both parties kept the reasons private, avoiding public disputes and maintaining a respectful distance. Van Wagenen went on to earn her Ph.D. in American history and co-founded History Matters and Utah Women's History, continuing her lifelong commitment to education.
The Second Marriage: Sibylle Szaggars and Quiet Later Years
Following his divorce, Redford spent years in a long-term relationship with German-born artist Sibylle Szaggars. The pair began living together in the 1990s, splitting their time between his Utah estate and various creative hubs.
In July 2009, Redford and Szaggars married in a private ceremony at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. At the time of their wedding, Redford was 73 and Szaggars was 52.
Unlike his first marriage, which coincided with the high-octane frenzy of peak Hollywood stardom, his union with Szaggars represents a quiet, artistic retirement chapter. Szaggars is an accomplished mixed-media artist whose work often focuses on environmental themes and weather patterns—a shared passion that strongly aligns with Redford's decades-long conservation work through the Natural Resources Defense Council.
They continue to live a low-profile lifestyle centered around painting, environmental advocacy, and the Sundance community.
Common Misconceptions About Redford's Relationships
Because Redford maintained an intensely private personal life, rumors and speculation often surrounded his relationships.
The Myth of Permanent Bachelorhood
Many casual fans assume Redford never settled down due to his status as a quintessential Hollywood heartthrob. In reality, he spent the vast majority of his adult life in two committed, long-term legal marriages. For nearly 60 of the past 66 years, he has been a legally married man.
Conflating Romances with Co-Stars
During the height of his career, gossip columns frequently linked Redford with high-profile co-stars like Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, and Faye Dunaway. Redford consistently maintained strict professional boundaries, emphasizing that on-screen chemistry rarely mirrors off-screen reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long was Robert Redford married to his first wife?
Robert Redford was married to Lola Van Wagenen for 27 years, from 1958 until their divorce was finalized in 1985.
How many children does Robert Redford have?
Redford had four children with his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen: Scott, Shauna, James, and Amy. Sadly, his firstborn son Scott passed away in infancy, and his son James passed away in 2020.
Who is Robert Redford's current wife?
Robert Redford has been married to German artist Sibylle Szaggars since 2009. They had a long-term relationship for over a decade prior to their marriage.
Did Robert Redford ever marry anyone else?
No. Across his entire public life, Redford has only had two legal wives: Lola Van Wagenen and Sibylle Szaggars.
