The question of "Who is Robert Redford's wife today" carries a profound, new significance as of late 2025. The legendary actor, director, and conservationist Charles Robert Redford Jr. passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89, at his home in Sundance, Utah. His passing brought an end to one of Hollywood’s most enduring and private relationships: his marriage to the celebrated German-born environmental artist, Sibylle Szaggars Redford. As his widow, Sibylle Szaggars is now the steward of his legacy, continuing their shared passion for art and the environment.
The couple’s decades-long partnership was marked by a shared commitment to privacy and a deep connection to nature, often conducted far from the Hollywood spotlight at their beloved Sundance Mountain Resort. This article provides a comprehensive look at Sibylle Szaggars Redford's life, her powerful artistic contributions, and the enduring bond she shared with the iconic star in their final years together.
Robert Redford: A Life in Brief and Family Legacy
To understand the woman who stood by him until the end, one must first appreciate the scope of Robert Redford’s life, which spanned nearly nine decades of cinematic and cultural influence. His personal life, though intensely private, formed the bedrock of his career.
- Full Name: Charles Robert Redford Jr.
- Born: August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, U.S.
- Died: September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah.
- Spouses:
- Lola Van Wagenen (m. 1958; div. 1985)
- Sibylle Szaggars (m. 2009; until his death in 2025)
- Children (with Lola Van Wagenen):
- Scott Anthony Redford (Died in infancy, 1959)
- Shauna Jean Redford (Artist, born 1960)
- James "Jamie" Redford (Filmmaker, Died 2020)
- Amy Hart Redford (Actress/Director, born 1970)
- Notable Achievements: Academy Award winner (for directing Ordinary People and a Lifetime Achievement Oscar), founder of the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, star of classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Way We Were.
The First Chapter: Lola Van Wagenen and the Early Family Years
Redford’s first marriage to historian and activist Lola Van Wagenen was a foundational relationship that lasted for 27 years. They married in 1958 and divorced in 1985. Their early life together was challenging, marked by the tragic loss of their first son, Scott Anthony, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This period deeply affected the young couple and cemented their desire for a private life away from Hollywood’s intense scrutiny. Lola Van Wagenen played a crucial role in establishing the family’s roots in Utah, which eventually led to the creation of the Sundance Mountain Resort and, later, the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival.
Sibylle Szaggars: The Artist, The Activist, The Widow
Sibylle Szaggars, who became Mrs. Redford in 2009 after more than a decade together, is an accomplished visual artist in her own right. Born in Hamburg, Germany, her work is characterized by a deep connection to nature, often using natural pigments and focusing on the planet's fragility.
The couple first met in 1996 at the Sundance Mountain Resort, a place that embodied Redford’s love for the American West and his commitment to conservation. Their shared passions—art, environmentalism, and a quiet, un-Hollywood lifestyle—formed the basis of their lasting bond. They were a deeply private pair, rarely discussing their relationship publicly, preferring to let their work speak for itself.
A Shared Vision: Art, Nature, and ‘The Way of the Rain’
Sibylle Szaggars’ most significant collaborative project with her husband was "The Way of the Rain," an interdisciplinary art performance that combines her "rain paintings" with music, dance, and spoken word. The project is a powerful statement on the environmental crisis, aiming to raise awareness about the critical need to protect the planet's natural resources.
Robert Redford was a vocal supporter and often participated in the performances, lending his voice and influence to the cause. The project is a perfect encapsulation of their relationship: a blend of artistic expression and passionate environmental activism. In recent years, their focus had shifted slightly, with the couple relocating from their longtime home in Tiburon, California, and settling in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2024, where Szaggars maintains an art studio.
The Legacy Continues: Sibylle Szaggars’ Role Today
Following Robert Redford’s death in September 2025, Sibylle Szaggars Redford has faced the enormous task of mourning her husband while continuing the work they started together. Her role is now one of a guardian of his personal and artistic legacy.
The core entities that define Redford’s life—the Sundance Institute, his extensive catalogue of films, and his unwavering commitment to environmental causes—will continue to operate. Sibylle’s ongoing work with "The Way of the Rain" serves as a direct, tangible continuation of their shared values. The project, which emphasizes the beauty and fragility of the natural world, is a powerful echo of the conservation ethos that Redford championed throughout his life.
Topical Entities and LSI Keywords: The Redford Universe
The story of Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars is intertwined with numerous entities that define his world and build topical authority:
- Sundance Institute: The non-profit organization founded by Redford in 1981 to foster independent film.
- Sundance Film Festival: The famous annual festival in Park City, Utah, that launched countless careers.
- Lola Van Wagenen: Redford’s first wife, a historian and activist.
- James Redford: Their late son, a dedicated filmmaker and environmental activist.
- Amy Redford & Shauna Redford: His surviving daughters, both artists in their own right.
- Environmental Activism: A lifelong passion for Redford, shared with Sibylle Szaggars.
- The Way of the Rain: Sibylle Szaggars’ interdisciplinary art performance.
- Santa Fe, New Mexico: Their most recent home and the location of Sibylle’s art studio.
Sibylle Szaggars Redford remains an active, creative force, ensuring that the spirit of artistic independence and environmental stewardship that defined her husband's life—and their life together—is preserved for future generations. Her current focus is likely centered on her art and honoring the memory of the man who shared her final, beautiful chapter.
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