robert wagner's wives

Robert Wagner's Wives: The 4 Marriages, The Ongoing Mystery, And His Life At 95

robert wagner's wives

Robert Wagner, a Hollywood icon whose career spans seven decades, has lived a life defined not only by his on-screen roles but also by his highly publicized and often dramatic romantic life. As of December 2025, the veteran actor, who turned 95 earlier this year, remains a figure of intense public curiosity, largely due to his four marriages to three extraordinary women. While his current life with long-time wife Jill St. John is one of quiet stability in Aspen, the shadow of his two marriages to the legendary Natalie Wood—and the tragic, still-unresolved circumstances of her death—continues to dominate the narrative, making his romantic history one of Tinseltown's most enduring and complex stories. This article delves into the full biography of Robert Wagner’s wives, exploring the love, loss, and lasting legacy of each union, and providing the most current updates on his family life and the investigation that still haunts his past.

Robert Wagner: A Complete Biographical Profile

Robert John Wagner Jr., known universally as R.J., was born on February 10, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan. He is one of the last living stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, with a career that successfully transitioned from film to television.

  • Full Name: Robert John Wagner Jr.
  • Born: February 10, 1930 (Age 95 in 2025)
  • Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
  • Occupation: Actor, Producer
  • Key Roles: It Takes a Thief (1968–1970), Switch (1975–1978), Hart to Hart (1979–1984), and the Austin Powers film series.
  • Wives (3 Women, 4 Marriages):
    • Natalie Wood (1957–1962; 1972–1981)
    • Marion Marshall (1963–1971)
    • Jill St. John (1990–Present)
  • Children:
    • Katie Wagner (Daughter with Marion Marshall)
    • Natasha Gregson Wagner (Stepdaughter/Adopted Daughter with Natalie Wood)
    • Courtney Wagner (Daughter with Natalie Wood)
  • Current Residence: Aspen, Colorado

The First and Third Wife: Natalie Wood (The Star-Crossed Love and the Unsolved Mystery)

The relationship between Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood is arguably the most famous and tumultuous in Hollywood history, marked by a fairy-tale beginning, a painful separation, a joyous reunion, and a profoundly tragic end. They married not once, but twice, bookending Wagner's marriage to Marion Marshall.

First Marriage: 1957–1962

Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood first met when Wood was just 10, but their romance blossomed when she was 18 and Wagner was 27. They married on December 28, 1957, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The couple was the epitome of a glamorous Hollywood pairing—young, beautiful, and highly sought after. However, the pressures of their respective careers, coupled with their young ages, led to their divorce in 1962.

Second Marriage: 1972–1981

A decade later, after both had married and divorced other people, Wood and Wagner found their way back to each other. They remarried in 1972, a decision Wood made quickly, despite friends advising her to "put on the breaks." This second union was reportedly happier and more stable, and they had one biological daughter together, Courtney Wagner, born in 1974. Wagner also adopted Wood's daughter from her second marriage, Natasha Gregson Wagner, raising both girls alongside his first daughter, Katie.

The Enduring Natalie Wood Death Mystery

The second marriage ended abruptly and tragically on November 29, 1981, when Natalie Wood drowned while on a weekend trip aboard the family's yacht, Splendour, off Catalina Island. Wagner, Wood, and actor Christopher Walken were the only people on board.

For decades, the death was classified as an accidental drowning. However, the case was officially reopened in 2011, and the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office later changed the cause of death on the certificate to "drowning and other undetermined factors."

Latest Updates (2025): The case remains open and highly sensitive. Recent reports confirm that Robert Wagner has declined to be interviewed by detectives in the renewed inquiry. Lana Wood, Natalie’s sister, has been consistently vocal, stating her belief that Wagner is responsible for her sister’s death. The unresolved nature of the case, even today, ensures that the memory of Natalie Wood remains inextricably linked to Robert Wagner's public persona.

The Second Wife: Marion Marshall (The Quiet Interlude)

After his first divorce from Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner sought stability, marrying actress Marion Marshall in 1963. Marshall was an established actress known for roles in films like The Caddy and I Was a Male War Bride.

This period provided Wagner with a much-needed sense of normalcy following the intense media scrutiny of his first marriage and divorce. Marshall was previously married twice, including to director Stanley Donen, and had two sons whom Wagner became a stepfather to.

The couple had one biological daughter together, Katie Wagner, born in 1964. Katie Wagner would later become a television personality herself. The marriage lasted eight years, ending in divorce in 1971, just before Wagner reconciled with Natalie Wood.

The Fourth and Current Wife: Jill St. John (The Enduring Hollywood Romance)

Following the death of Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner spent several years as a single parent, focusing on his three daughters. He found lasting love with actress Jill St. John, whom he had known since she was 18 years old. St. John is a former "Bond Girl," famous for her role as Tiffany Case in the 1971 film Diamonds Are Forever.

A Quiet Life in Aspen

Robert Wagner and Jill St. John began dating and eventually married on May 26, 1990. Their union has proven to be his most enduring, a testament to shared history and mutual support. In May 2025, the couple celebrated their remarkable 35th wedding anniversary, a major milestone in Hollywood terms.

The couple largely left the Hollywood spotlight behind in 2007, opting for a quieter life in Aspen, Colorado. They have no children together, but St. John is a devoted stepmother and grandmother to Wagner's three daughters and their families.

At 95 years old, Robert Wagner’s life in 2025 is characterized by this long-standing relationship. He and St. John are often seen attending local events and have collaborated on various projects, including a stage production of Love Letters. Their life together represents a peaceful final chapter following a lifetime of public highs and devastating lows, providing a strong foundation for the nonagenarian actor.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords Related to Robert Wagner's Wives

The story of Robert Wagner's wives is a central pillar of Hollywood history, connecting numerous other high-profile figures and events:

  • Natasha Gregson Wagner: Natalie Wood’s daughter who was adopted by Wagner. She has become an advocate for her mother’s legacy and has produced documentaries about her life.
  • Lana Wood: Natalie Wood’s sister, a key entity in the ongoing death investigation who has publicly accused Wagner of withholding information.
  • Courtney Wagner: Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood’s only biological child together, who has fiercely defended her father against accusations related to her mother's death.
  • The Yacht Splendour: The vessel on which Natalie Wood died, a crucial location in the unresolved mystery.
  • Christopher Walken: The actor who was also on the yacht the night Natalie Wood died, and whose testimony has been central to the original and renewed investigations.
  • Stanley Donen: The famous director who was Marion Marshall’s second husband, linking Wagner's marital history to another major Hollywood figure.
  • Bond Girl: Jill St. John's iconic status as the first American Bond Girl, a key part of her own enduring legacy.
robert wagner's wives
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