Robert Redford’s Ex-Wife Drops a Bombshell: The Truth About His ‘Forbidden’ Bond with Paul Newman

Robert Redford and Paul Newman were the epitome of Hollywood camaraderie.

Their on-screen chemistry in classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting cemented their status as one of the most beloved duos in cinematic history.

But behind the laughter, pranks, and mutual admiration lay a relationship that, according to Redford’s ex-wife Lola Van Wagenen, went far deeper than the public ever imagined.

At age 85, Lola has come forward with startling claims about their connection, painting a picture of a bond that was both profound and, in her words, “destructive” to her own life.

The story begins in the late 1960s, a transformative era for Hollywood and for both actors.

Newman was already an established star, while Redford was a rising talent seeking his breakthrough.

Their fates intertwined when Newman insisted that Redford be cast in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid against the studio’s wishes.

This decision not only launched Redford into stardom but also marked the beginning of a friendship that would last decades and leave an indelible mark on Hollywood.

On-screen, they were the perfect duo—charming, witty, and inseparable.

Off-screen, their relationship was equally compelling.

They moved to homes just a mile apart in Connecticut, where their families mingled like relatives.

Redford’s children called Newman “Uncle Paul,” and the two men were often seen together at racetracks, charity events, and private dinners.

Their friendship seemed unbreakable, but rumors of a deeper connection began to circulate.

According to Lola, Redford and Newman’s bond went beyond friendship.

She claims that Redford persuaded her to move their family to Connecticut solely to be closer to Newman.

Late at night, Newman would visit their home, slipping in through the back door to spend hours alone with Redford in the master bedroom.

Lola describes these moments as deeply painful, recounting how she would hear their laughter and whispers through the walls of a house she once considered a sanctuary for her family.

Lola’s jealousy grew as she noticed Redford lavishing Newman with extravagant gifts, including a Porsche and rare collectibles, while she herself never received even a single flower from him.

She recalls bitter arguments where she accused Redford of loving Newman more than her, only for him to dismiss her concerns with laughter.

But Lola insists that Redford’s eyes betrayed the truth—there was a fire in them that she had never seen directed at her.

The breaking point came in 1985, during a heated confrontation where Lola demanded that Redford choose between her and Newman.

His response, a simple yet devastating “Paul,” ended their 27-year marriage.

Lola describes this moment as a knife to the heart, realizing that she could never compete with the bond Redford shared with Newman.

Following their divorce, Redford and Newman continued their relationship more openly, traveling together and collaborating on new projects.

Newman introduced Redford to professional car racing, and the two men shared private moments away from the public eye.

Even as Newman battled lung cancer in his final years, Redford remained by his side, flying weekly from Utah to Connecticut to sit by his hospital bed.

According to a nurse close to Newman, Redford would whisper, “I love you,” during their private conversations, to which Newman would reply, “You mean everything to me, Bob.”

Lola’s revelations have cast their relationship in a controversial light, reigniting debates about whether their bond was purely platonic or something more.

While Newman’s family has dismissed Lola’s claims as fabrications born of past pain, she insists that she has letters, photos, and other evidence to support her story.

She describes nights when Redford would return home smelling of Newman’s cologne and recounts hiring a private investigator who captured blurry photos of the two men embracing by a pool under the moonlight.

But Newman was not the only man in Redford’s life, according to Lola.

She claims that his relationships with other male stars, including director Sydney Pollack and actor Dustin Hoffman, were equally complex and intimate.

On the set of War Hunt, Redford and Pollock formed a bond that some insiders described as “beyond professional.”

They were often seen holding hands on New York streets and sharing private moments on set.

Similarly, during the filming of All the President’s Men, Redford and Hoffman were rumored to share a connection that extended beyond their roles, with paparazzi capturing them leaving hotels together and exchanging tender glances.

Lola also points to Redford’s brief but passionate affair with Warren Beatty as further evidence of his complicated personal life.

She describes how the two men were inseparable during their time together, sharing late-night conversations and intimate moments that fueled Hollywood gossip for years.

Despite these alleged relationships, Lola maintains that Newman’s place in Redford’s heart was irreplaceable.

She believes that their bond was the defining relationship of Redford’s life, overshadowing all others.

When Newman passed away in 2008, Redford was devastated, describing the loss as the end of the closest relationship he had ever known.

In the years that followed, he withdrew from the public eye, consumed by grief and memories of his time with Newman.

When Redford himself passed away in 2025, Lola decided to break her silence, feeling that the world deserved to know the truth about the man behind the Hollywood icon.

Her revelations have sent shockwaves through the industry, challenging the public’s perception of two of its most beloved stars.

While some dismiss her claims as the bitter ramblings of a scorned ex-wife, others see them as a poignant reminder of the complexities of love and friendship.

The story of Robert Redford and Paul Newman is one that blurs the lines between friendship and romance, leaving fans to ponder the true nature of their relationship.

Was it a deep and abiding friendship, or was it something more?

As Hollywood continues to grapple with these revelations, one thing is certain: the legacy of Redford and Newman will never be viewed the same way again.