Robert Redford, Hollywood’s iconic “Golden Boy,” captivated audiences for over six decades with his charm, talent, and magnetic screen presence.

Yet behind the glamour and fame lay a deeply private man whose personal life was marked by profound joys and heartbreaking struggles.

One of the most poignant chapters in Redford’s life was his marriage to Lola Van Wagenen—a union that seemed unshakable from the outside but quietly unraveled after nearly three decades.

This article explores the story behind their marriage, the devastating events that led to their divorce, and how Redford rebuilt his life and love thereafter.

 

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr.on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford’s childhood was far from idyllic.

He contracted polio at age 11, a disease that left a lasting impression on him during an era when fear of the illness gripped many families.

His father was often absent due to long working hours, and the early death of his beloved uncle in World War II left young Robert grappling with grief largely alone.

 

In his teenage years, Redford was a rebellious “tearaway,” spending time with street gangs, engaging in risky dares, and even facing arrest for possession of stolen jewelry—charges that were later dropped.

His wild youth gave way to a restless search for identity and purpose.

After being expelled from the University of Colorado for disruptive behavior, Redford traveled to Europe to study painting before returning to the U.S.to pursue acting.

His early career met skepticism, with Hollywood executives dismissing him as just another handsome face.

Yet his persistence paid off with his breakthrough role in *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* (1969), which launched him to stardom.

 

Amid his rising career, Redford met Lola Van Wagenen, a bright and passionate history student from a conservative Mormon background in Provo, Utah.

Their connection was deep and immediate, a rare blend of opposites united by mutual admiration and shared values.

They married in 1958 when Redford was still struggling to establish himself professionally.

 

Lola was a steadfast partner, supporting Redford through the ups and downs of his burgeoning career. Together, they raised four children: Scott, Shauna, Jamie, and Amy.

Their early years were marked by love and hope, balancing family life with Redford’s growing fame.

 

The Redford family endured heartbreaking tragedies that tested their bond.

Their first child, Scott, died at just two and a half months old from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a loss that left a permanent wound on both parents.

Redford later described the pain as unimaginable, a sorrow that changed him forever.

 

Further challenges came with the health struggles of their son Jamie, born prematurely with a rare liver disease requiring multiple transplants.

Despite these hardships, Jamie grew into a resilient filmmaker and activist, carrying forward his father’s passion for storytelling and social causes.

 

The family also faced a mysterious tragedy when daughter Shauna’s boyfriend was fatally shot in 1983, a case that remains unresolved and haunted the family for decades.

 

Meanwhile, Redford’s skyrocketing career brought immense professional success but also significant strain.

Long filming schedules and constant travel kept him away from home for extended periods.

The pressures of Hollywood, combined with Redford’s private nature and tendency to retreat into work rather than confront personal issues, created emotional distance between him and Lola.

 

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, cracks began to show in what had seemed a solid marriage.

The couple struggled with communication and growing emotional gaps.

Lola, devoted to family and her own activism and academic pursuits, often felt isolated by Redford’s absences and Hollywood’s glare.

Redford, despite his respect and affection for Lola, felt suffocated and in need of rediscovering himself.

 

In 1985, after nearly three decades together, Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen quietly divorced.

Unlike many celebrity splits, their separation was not marked by public scandal or acrimony but was a mutual and painful decision to move on.

Redford later described it as “to save my life,” emphasizing that it was a necessary step for his personal growth.

 

Both Redford and Lola maintained a respectful relationship post-divorce, prioritizing their children’s well-being and co-parenting with care.

Lola continued her academic and activist work, while Redford immersed himself deeper into filmmaking and environmental causes.

 

Following the divorce, Redford’s career evolved.

He shifted focus from acting to directing and producing, finding solace and purpose in creative endeavors.

His passion project, the Sundance Film Festival—founded in 1981—grew into one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for independent filmmakers.

Sundance revolutionized the film industry by nurturing fresh voices and innovative storytelling outside the Hollywood studio system.

 

Meanwhile, Lola Van Wagenen pursued higher education, earning advanced degrees and dedicating herself to social causes, including consumer rights and environmental activism.

Both parents supported their children, who went on to careers in arts and activism, reflecting their parents’ values.

 

Redford did not rush into a new marriage. Instead, he took time to heal and focus on his evolving life.

Eventually, he found love again with Sibylle Szaggars, a German-born artist whose creativity and environmental passion resonated deeply with him.

 

Their relationship, beginning in the 1990s, was built on mutual respect and shared values.

They married in 2009 in an intimate ceremony in Germany, forging a partnership grounded in experience and understanding.

Together, they enjoyed retreats at Redford’s Utah ranch, away from Hollywood’s spotlight, embracing nature and each other’s passions.

 

In 2018, Robert Redford announced his retirement from acting after more than six decades, choosing *The Old Man & the Gun* as his final film.

His departure marked the end of a remarkable era, but his influence on cinema and culture remains timeless.

 

Redford’s legacy extends far beyond his performances. Through Sundance, he transformed independent filmmaking, enabling directors like Quentin Tarantino and Ava DuVernay to rise.

His environmental activism and commitment to social causes have inspired generations.

 

His personal journey—from a rebellious youth to a Hollywood legend, from a marriage marked by love and loss to a mature second chance at love—reveals a man of depth, resilience, and integrity.

Robert Redford’s life story is one of contrasts: fame and privacy, joy and tragedy, rebellion and responsibility.

His marriage to Lola Van Wagenen was a profound chapter filled with love and heartbreak, ultimately ending in a respectful separation that allowed both to grow and thrive individually.

 

His ability to rebuild, find new love, and dedicate himself to artistic and environmental causes illustrates a legacy not just of stardom but of humanity and vision.

As Hollywood bids farewell to one of its greatest icons, Robert Redford’s story continues to inspire—reminding us that even behind the brightest lights, complex lives unfold, shaped by love, loss, and the courage to move forward.

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