At 85, Robert Redford’s ex-wife reveals the shocking truth about his rivalry with Paul Newman, exposing hidden tensions and personal struggles behind their public friendship, shedding light on how their competition affected Redford’s marriage and career, leaving fans questioning the real dynamic between these two Hollywood legends.

At the age of 85, Robert Redford’s ex-wife, Lola, has decided to speak out about the previously untold story behind the iconic friendship between Redford and Paul Newman, the legendary stars of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

For decades, the public viewed them as the perfect cinematic duo — the charming, fearless outlaws who captured hearts worldwide.

However, what viewers didn’t see behind the camera was a complex, often strained relationship that was marked by simmering tensions, personal rivalries, and untold secrets.

Lola, who was married to Redford during the height of his fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s, revealed the emotional toll the friendship between the two actors took on her marriage, and what she learned about the private lives of two of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

“They were always competitive, always sizing each other up,” she recalled, reflecting on the years when both men were at the top of their game.

“It wasn’t the camaraderie everyone thought it was; it was a rivalry wrapped in compliments.

They were two men fighting for the same spotlight.”

For years, Redford and Newman were rumored to be close friends, with their public personas and friendly banter adding to the allure of their partnership.

But according to Lola, their relationship was more fraught than fans could ever imagine.

In fact, the seeds of animosity were planted early on, with the two actors vying for recognition in Hollywood.

While Newman was known for his smooth, easy charm and philanthropic efforts, Redford struggled with the overwhelming pressures of maintaining his sex-symbol status and constantly being compared to Newman.

Lola’s revelations paint a picture of two men who were bound by mutual respect but also pulled by personal insecurities.

“Paul was everything Robert wanted to be but couldn’t.

Paul had that effortless charisma that made him the favorite.

Robert was always fighting to stay in the game,” she said.

According to Lola, these tensions weren’t just friendly competition.

They were deeply rooted in personal pride and the unspoken fears of being overshadowed.

The hidden struggles between the two stars began to take a toll on their friendships and careers.

Even during the filming of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated films, the two actors maintained a fragile balance between mutual admiration and underlying jealousy.

Lola recalls overhearing heated discussions between Redford and Newman during breaks from filming, their words thinly veiled with sarcasm.

“There was always a sense that Robert felt like he was the one fighting to prove himself.

Paul didn’t have to try as hard.”

Despite their struggles, both men managed to keep their professional lives intact, continuing to collaborate on projects and remain close public allies.

But in private, Redford’s marriage was deeply affected by the pressures that came with the rivalry.

Lola explained how these unspoken dynamics between the two men eventually contributed to the breakdown of their marriage.

“Robert was often preoccupied with Paul’s success, and it started affecting his work and home life.

I could see the toll it was taking,” she said.

After their divorce in 1985, Redford and Newman continued to interact in the public eye, yet their private relationship remained distant.

They eventually reconciled, but Lola believes the damage had already been done.

“I don’t think they ever truly healed.

The friendship, the rivalry — it was always there, lurking beneath the surface.”

Today, with both men long gone—Paul Newman passing away in 2008 and Redford in 2025—the truth behind their complex relationship remains hidden for most.

Lola’s decision to reveal these details has shocked many, offering a new lens through which to view the legacy of both Redford and Newman.

The Hollywood glitter and glamor that once surrounded them now feels even more fragile, as their personal struggles and insecurities come to light.

While their rivalry was never fully exposed to the public, the complexity of their relationship mirrors the fierce competition that defined an era of Hollywood’s golden age.

But it also serves as a reminder that even the brightest stars are not immune to human flaws, insecurities, and the deep-seated struggles that can often go unnoticed.

This revelation has sparked a wave of reflection on the true nature of their friendship and rivalry, prompting questions about how the pressures of fame, ambition, and jealousy can shape even the most iconic partnerships.

Now, with Lola’s voice in the mix, the public is left to ponder just how much of their onscreen chemistry was built on the foundation of something deeper, and much more complicated, than anyone ever realized.

Will this expose change the way we view the iconic stars of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Or is the rivalry between Robert Redford and Paul Newman one of Hollywood’s most enduring and untold stories?