Robert Redford, Hollywood icon and legendary actor, has spent decades gracing screens with performances that have captivated audiences worldwide. Known for his roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Great Gatsby, and The Natural, Redford’s appeal has always transcended the screen, embodying the allure of the California dream. With rugged good looks and a commitment to social causes, he quickly became a symbol of adventure, intellect, and depth. Yet, despite his public life, Redford has remained intensely private about his personal world. For years, his fans could only guess at the inner workings of the man behind the roles, especially when it came to matters of the heart. Now, at the age of 88, Redford has finally opened up about a significant part of his life that he had long kept hidden—the love that has kept him grounded for over fifteen years.
This confession marks a rare glimpse into Redford’s deeply personal experiences with love, family, and growth. His journey reveals a man shaped by both hardship and resilience, a person who has confronted heartache yet found solace in a lifelong romance. Through the years, Redford has maintained a dedication to causes and creativity that has both thrilled and challenged him, all while he has quietly harbored a love that he now calls “the love of his life.” This narrative of a complex, evolving relationship sheds light on a new side of Redford—a side that is tender, reflective, and open about the depths of his affection.
Redford’s life journey began on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California. Raised in Van Nuys, his childhood was marked by restlessness and a need for adventure. With a father who worked as an accountant and a mother who passed away when he was still young, Redford struggled to find direction and identity. His teenage years were far from peaceful; he often found himself in trouble with the law, engaging in what he later described as “typical teenage pranks.” From stealing hubcaps to sneaking into neighborhood pools, he was a free spirit with a rebellious streak, navigating life on the fringes of societal expectations.
Redford later admitted that these youthful antics were his way of coping with an inner discontent. “I was unhappy with my surroundings,” he explained in an interview, acknowledging that he needed a different environment to thrive. At the age of sixteen, a brush with the law threatened to derail his future, but this close call ended up marking a turning point. Deciding to put his troubles behind him, Redford set his sights on exploring the world beyond his familiar surroundings.
After high school, Redford pursued higher education, though his time at the University of Colorado was short-lived due to issues with drinking. Following his expulsion, he embarked on a journey through Europe, immersing himself in art and culture. Paris, in particular, served as an inspiration, as Redford explored painting and connected with creative communities. Upon his return to the United States, he studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, setting the stage for his eventual career in film and theater.
During this time, he met Lola Van Wagenen, a University of Utah student with whom he felt an immediate connection. A world away from the women he had encountered in Europe, Lola’s background and faith as a Mormon intrigued Redford, providing him with a sense of stability he hadn’t found elsewhere. Though he wasn’t religious, Redford was struck by the structure and values that Mormonism represented. Their romance blossomed, and in 1958, Redford and Lola married, embarking on a journey that would define much of his life.
The couple’s early years were filled with the joys and challenges of a young marriage. They welcomed four children and built a life together as Redford’s acting career took off. By the 1960s, he had become a household name, but fame came with its own set of struggles. Redford and Lola experienced the highs and lows of Hollywood life, raising a family while navigating the pressures that came with Redford’s growing popularity. Tragedy struck the family when their infant son, Scott, passed away—a heartbreaking loss that tested their resilience as a couple.
Despite their efforts, the pressures of Redford’s career and their personal challenges took a toll. In 1985, after nearly three decades together, Redford and Lola divorced. Reflecting on their time together, Redford later acknowledged the immense impact Lola had on his life. While their marriage ended, he remained grateful for the family and memories they shared.
Years after his marriage with Lola ended, Redford found himself rediscovering love with German artist Sibylle Szaggars. Redford and Szaggars, an accomplished painter in her own right, met in the late 1990s and eventually moved in together. They shared a deep connection rooted in mutual respect, creativity, and environmental advocacy. In 2009, Redford and Szaggars married in a private ceremony in Hamburg, Germany.
Redford’s relationship with Szaggars marked a new chapter in his life, one that was more introspective and grounded. Unlike the frenzied years of his early career, his time with Szaggars allowed him to focus on passions beyond acting, including his work with the Sundance Institute and his commitment to environmental causes. Together, they forged a partnership that was defined by shared values, and Szaggars became his unwavering support as they championed issues close to their hearts.
Now at 88, Robert Redford looks back on his life with a sense of peace and fulfillment. The man who once kept his personal life fiercely guarded has finally shared the depth of his love for Szaggars, calling her “the love of his life.” This admission reflects Redford’s growth, as he has come to embrace the vulnerability that comes with sharing his private world. His legacy as an actor, activist, and director is undeniable, but Redford’s final confession reveals a man who values love and companionship above all.
In an industry known for fleeting romances and publicized breakups, Redford’s enduring love story with Szaggars stands out as a testament to his resilience and depth. He may have spent years shrouded in mystery, but his openness in these later years brings him closer to the audience that has admired him for decades. Through the triumphs and tribulations, Redford’s journey underscores the power of love to provide meaning, solace, and strength.
Robert Redford’s confession serves as a reminder that love can be found at any stage in life, and it can sustain us through even the darkest of times. His story of love and loss, of searching and finding, mirrors the universal human experience—proof that even the most celebrated icons are, at their core, searching for the same thing as everyone else: someone who makes life truly meaningful.
VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/G-NVMmBHcCI
