Robert Redford Girlfriend: Szaggars’ Love to His Death
The beloved Hollywood icon known for his timeless roles and dedication to independent cinema, Robert Redford, passed away on September 16, 2025, at age 89 in his cherished home in Sundance, Utah. Surrounded by family, including his devoted wife Sibylle Szaggars Redford, he leaves behind a legacy that intertwines cinematic brilliance with a deeply personal life marked by meaningful relationships.
Fans often wonder about Redford’s girlfriend or current partner, especially in light of his inspiring romantic history. At the time of his passing, Redford was happily married to Sibylle Szaggars, a talented artist and environmental advocate, whom he first met in the 1990s. Their bond, built on shared passions for art and nature, offers a touching glimpse into the later chapters of his life, blending his legendary career with quiet, heartfelt companionship.
Who Is Robert Redford’s Girlfriend?
Robert Redford was married to Sibylle Szaggars Redford, his partner of nearly three decades and wife since 2009. His relationship with Szaggars, a talented artist, was his primary romantic bond in the later stages of his life. They lived together in Sundance, Utah, and shared a commitment to environmental causes, with Szaggars by his side until his final moments.
Early Romance: Meeting Lola Van Wagenen
Before fame enveloped him, Robert Redford found his first true love in Lola Van Wagenen, a thoughtful young woman from Provo, Utah, raised in a close-knit Mormon family. They met in 1957 in Los Angeles when Redford was just 20 and she was 17, both navigating the uncertainties of young adulthood. Drawn to her calm demeanor and shared interest in social causes, Redford proposed soon after, and the couple eloped to Las Vegas on September 21, 1958, beginning a marriage that would span nearly three decades.
In those early years, Redford was an aspiring actor scraping by in New York, while Lola supported him through auditions and small roles. She pursued her own path, studying history and becoming an advocate for environmental and consumer rights. Their life together was grounded in Utah, where Lola’s roots influenced Redford’s deep connection to the state, eventually inspiring the creation of the Sundance Resort. This period shaped Redford’s values, emphasizing family and activism amid the rising demands of his career.
The couple welcomed their first child, son Scott Anthony, in September 1959, but tragedy struck just two and a half months later when he passed away from sudden infant death syndrome. This profound loss tested their resilience, yet they pressed on, building a family that mirrored Redford’s growing stardom. Lola’s steady presence provided a foundation during Redford’s breakthrough in films like Barefoot in the Park in 1967, where he portrayed a charming newlywed, echoing aspects of his own life.
Building a Family Amid Hollywood’s Rise
As Redford’s career soared in the 1960s and 1970s, so did his family with Lola. They had three more children: daughter Shauna Jean in 1960, son David James (known as Jamie) in 1962, and daughter Amy Hart in 1970. Shauna grew into a skilled painter, channeling creativity much like her father, while Amy became an actress and director, often collaborating on projects that highlighted family ties in the arts.
Jamie, in particular, followed in his father’s footsteps as a documentary filmmaker and environmentalist. He co-founded The Redford Center in 2005 with Robert, focusing on stories that promote conservation and social justice. Despite health challenges, including liver transplants in the 1990s due to primary sclerosing cholangitis, Jamie’s work left a lasting impact, producing films on topics like dyslexia and clean energy.
Lola balanced raising their children with her activism. In 1970, she co-founded Consumer Action Now, an organization dedicated to educating the public on environmental and consumer issues. Her efforts complemented Redford’s growing involvement in causes like opposing the Keystone XL pipeline, showing how their partnership extended beyond the home into broader societal contributions.
Through the highs of Redford’s iconic roles in movies such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, and the lows of personal grief, Lola remained a pillar. Their home in Provo became a sanctuary, away from Hollywood’s glare, where Redford could recharge and focus on fatherhood. This era solidified his image not just as a matinee idol but as a family man committed to his loved ones.
The End of the First Chapter: Divorce and Beyond
After 27 years of marriage, Redford and Lola parted ways in 1985, citing irreconcilable differences. The split was handled quietly, without public drama, reflecting their mutual respect.
Post-divorce, Lola continued her scholarly pursuits, earning a master’s in public history from New York University in 1984 and a Ph.D. in American history in 1995. She co-founded Clio Visualizing History in 1995, a nonprofit that uses innovative methods to make history accessible to wider audiences. In 2002, she remarried George Carleton Burrill, a trustee at Champlain College, and they organized fundraisers for causes like earthquake recovery.
Redford maintained a close relationship with his children, ensuring their involvement in his professional world. He spoke fondly of Lola’s influence on his life, crediting her for instilling values of education and activism that shaped his later endeavors, including the Sundance Institute founded in 1981.
Romantic Interludes: Girlfriends in the Interim Years
Following his divorce, Redford’s dating life drew curiosity, though he kept it largely out of the spotlight. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was linked to several notable women, reflecting his continued appeal as a leading man both on and off screen. One such connection was with Brazilian actress Sônia Braga, reportedly from 1987 to 1988, sparked during the filming of The Milagro Beanfield War, which Redford directed.
Swedish actress Lena Olin entered his life briefly from November 1989 to April 1990, overlapping with his work on films like Havana. This relationship showcased Redford’s affinity for creative partners who shared his artistic passions.
From 1990 to 1995, Redford dated actress Kathy O’Rear, a period marked by his deepening commitment to directing and environmental causes.
A New Beginning: Meeting Sibylle Szaggars
In 1996, at his Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, Redford met Sibylle Szaggars, a German-born multimedia artist who had come to ski. Born on April 9, 1957, in Hamburg, Szaggars was 20 years his junior and initially knew little of his Hollywood fame, which Redford later said drew him to her authenticity.
Szaggars had moved to London in the 1980s to pursue art, experimenting with oils, photography, and installations inspired by nature. By the time she arrived in the U.S., she had explored the Southwest’s landscapes, fueling her environmental themes. Their first encounter at Sundance sparked a friendship that evolved over years, bonded by mutual respect for creativity and the natural world.
Redford described Szaggars as bringing a new life into his world, appreciating her European perspective and youthful energy. They began dating in the late 1990s, with their relationship deepening through shared projects. In 2000, Szaggars founded The Way of the Rain, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental art, which resonated with Redford’s advocacy for conservation. Their connection grew stronger as they collaborated on events at Sundance, blending their passions for art and the environment.
Marriage to Sibylle Szaggars: A Lasting Partnership
After 12 years of dating, Redford proposed to Szaggars in 2008. They married on July 11, 2009, in a private ceremony at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany, attended by close family and friends. The wedding, officiated in German, reflected Szaggars’ heritage and their shared love for simplicity. At the time, Redford was 72 and Szaggars was 52, proving that love knows no age.
Their marriage was a partnership of equals, with Szaggars’ artistic career complementing Redford’s creative legacy. Her work, exhibited in galleries across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., often explored themes of water conservation and indigenous cultures, aligning with Redford’s environmental activism. Together, they hosted events at the Sundance Film Festival, including art installations and film screenings, strengthening their bond through shared purpose.
In 2024, the couple was seen together at a Sundance Film Festival event, celebrating the institute’s impact on independent cinema. Szaggars remained a supportive presence as Redford scaled back from acting, focusing on directing and mentoring young filmmakers. Their home in Sundance, surrounded by the mountains Redford loved, became a haven where they nurtured their relationship and creative pursuits.
Redford’s Romance Movies: A Reflection of His Charm
Redford’s on-screen romances often mirrored the charisma that defined his real-life relationships. In The Way We Were in 1973, he played Hubbell Gardiner, a writer caught in a passionate yet doomed love story with Barbra Streisand’s Katie Morosky. The film’s emotional depth resonated with audiences, showcasing Redford’s ability to portray complex romantic leads.
Similarly, Out of Africa in 1985, opposite Meryl Streep, highlighted his allure as Denys Finch Hatton, a free-spirited adventurer in a sweeping love story. His role in The Horse Whisperer in 1998, which he also directed, blended romance with themes of healing, reflecting the introspective nature of his later years with Szaggars.
These films, among others, cemented Redford’s status as a romantic icon, with his real-life relationships echoing the sincerity and depth he brought to the screen. His ability to connect with audiences through love stories paralleled the genuine connections he fostered with Lola and Sibylle.
Health and Legacy: Addressing Public Curiosity
Public interest in Redford’s life extended to his health, with some wondering about his condition in later years. No credible reports confirmed any specific disease affecting Redford at the time of his death. His passing in 2025 was described as peaceful, with no disclosed cause, suggesting natural circumstances given his age of 89.
Redford’s legacy, however, transcends personal inquiries. His establishment of the Sundance Film Festival in 1981 revolutionized independent cinema, launching careers for filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Ava DuVernay. His environmental activism, including his work with the Natural Resources Defense Council, left a lasting impact, mirrored by Szaggars’ contributions through The Way of the Rain.
Conclusion
Robert Redford’s romantic life, marked by deep love and mutual respect, reflects the same authenticity that defined his career. From his early marriage to Lola Van Wagenen, which grounded him through tragedy and triumphs, to his brief romances with creative women in the 1980s and 1990s, Redford sought partners who shared his values.
His enduring marriage to Sibylle Szaggars Redford, lasting until his passing on September 16, 2025, was a testament to finding love later in life, rooted in shared passions for art and the environment. As fans reflect on his iconic roles in romance films and his contributions to cinema and conservation, Redford’s story remains one of connection, creativity, and a life well-lived with those he loved most.
