Lola Van Wagenen: 7 Surprising Facts About Robert Redford's First Wife, The Activist Who Shaped His Legacy

As of December 11, 2025, the enduring legacy of Hollywood icon Robert Redford is often viewed through the lens of his decades-long career, but the foundation of his personal life and the quiet strength that anchored his early years can be traced back to his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen. Their marriage, which spanned 27 years from 1958 to 1985, was a period of immense personal growth and tragedy, and it produced the four children who form the core of the Redford family. Lola Van Wagenen is far more than just the former spouse of a movie star; she is a distinguished American historian, a dedicated activist, and a co-founder of a major non-profit organization. Her life story is a powerful narrative of ambition, resilience, and a commitment to public education and environmental causes that continued long after her high-profile divorce. She has successfully carved out an influential path entirely separate from the glare of the Hollywood spotlight.

Lola Van Wagenen: A Complete Biography and Profile

Lola Van Wagenen is an American historian, activist, and environmentalist whose professional life has focused on public education and consumer advocacy since the 1970s.

• Full Name: Lola Van Wagenen
• Born: December 19, 1938
• Place of Birth: Provo, Utah County, Utah, USA
• Parents: Phyllis (Barker) and Frank Afton Van Wagenen
• Education: Attended college as a young Mormon student from Utah. She later earned a Ph.D.
• Profession: Historian, Activist, Environmentalist, Non-Profit Executive.
• First Marriage: Robert Redford (m. 1958; div. 1985)
• Second Marriage: George Burrill (m. 2002)
• Children (with Robert Redford): Scott Anthony Redford (1959, died at 2 months), Shauna Redford (b. 1960), James "Jamie" Redford (1962–2020), and Amy Redford (b. 1970).
• Notable Work: Co-founded Consumer Action Now (CAN) in 1970; Executive Producer of films including Miss America: A Documentary Film and The State of Marriage.

The Unexpected Beginning and Tragic Loss of a Hollywood Marriage

The relationship between Lola Van Wagenen and Robert Redford began when Redford was just 20 and Lola was 17. They met in Los Angeles and married shortly thereafter in 1958, a time when Redford was still a struggling actor with very little money. Lola, a young Mormon college student from Utah, became a central figure in his life, providing a stable foundation as he pursued his demanding career in New York City and later in Hollywood.

Their early years were marked by both the excitement of a young marriage and an unimaginable tragedy. In 1959, they welcomed their first child, a son named Scott Anthony Redford. Tragically, Scott died just two months after his birth from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This devastating loss profoundly affected the young couple and is a crucial, though painful, part of their shared history. The couple went on to have three more children: daughter Shauna in 1960, son James in 1962, and daughter Amy in 1970.

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The length of their union—27 years—is particularly notable in the volatile world of celebrity marriages. They maintained a relatively private life despite Redford's rapid ascent to superstardom in films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Way We Were. While the marriage ended in divorce in 1985, their bond as parents remained strong, and they quietly co-parented their three surviving children.

Lola Van Wagenen's Powerful Legacy as a Historian and Activist

Unlike many celebrity spouses who become known solely for their association with a famous partner, Lola Van Wagenen cultivated a powerful and independent career. Her intellectual and professional life has been dedicated to public education and advocacy since 1970, a focus that began while she was still married to Redford.

In 1970, she co-founded Consumer Action Now (CAN), a non-profit educational organization. This initiative demonstrated her early commitment to environmental and consumer issues, laying the groundwork for her decades of work in the field. Her passion led her to pursue advanced academic degrees, culminating in a Ph.D., which cemented her status as a respected historian.

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Her work has extended into media as well. She has served as an executive producer on several films, including the documentary Miss America: A Documentary Film and The State of Marriage, using her platform to explore significant social and historical topics. This career path highlights a woman who prioritized intellectual rigor and social impact over the glamour of Hollywood, choosing to thrive in a world of scholarship and activism. Her dedication to these causes is a testament to her personal strength and commitment to making a tangible difference.

Life After Robert Redford: A Second Marriage and Continued Activism

Following her divorce from Robert Redford, Lola Van Wagenen continued to focus on her career and personal life away from the public eye. Her decision to pursue a career as a historian and activist allowed her to maintain a low profile while engaging in meaningful work.

In 2002, Lola remarried, finding happiness with George Burrill. This second marriage further solidified her life as an independent figure, demonstrating her ability to move forward and build a new chapter. The fact that she was married to Redford for a much longer period than his second wife, Sibylle Szaggars, who he married in 2009, often surprises people, underscoring the foundational role Lola played in his adult life.

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Today, Lola Van Wagenen is recognized for her own accomplishments. She is a respected figure in the historical and environmental communities. Her ability to navigate a high-profile marriage and then successfully transition into a fulfilling, impactful career is a testament to her resilience and character. She remains connected to the Redford family through their children, Shauna, James (who passed away in 2020), and Amy, and their respective families, ensuring her foundational role in the Redford dynasty remains intact.

The Children's Enduring Creative and Activist Legacies

The four children Lola had with Robert Redford have each inherited a blend of their parents' creative and activist spirits.

• Shauna Redford: An accomplished painter and artist, carrying on a creative legacy.
• James "Jamie" Redford: Before his passing in 2020, James was a documentary filmmaker and activist, notably focusing on environmental and health issues, a path clearly influenced by his mother's work at Consumer Action Now.
• Amy Redford: A successful actress, director, and producer, bridging the gap between her parents' worlds of activism and film.

The tragic loss of their first son, Scott, and later the passing of James, have undeniably shaped the family's perspective, but the surviving children continue to honor their parents' values through their work in the arts, environmentalism, and social advocacy. Lola Van Wagenen's influence as a historian and co-founder of Consumer Action Now is an undeniable thread running through the Redford family's commitment to social and environmental causes, proving her impact extends far beyond her title as Robert Redford's first wife.