Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 16, 2025 · Entertainment

Robert Redford: Hollywood Heartthrob and Devoted Husband

On Tuesday, it was announced that legendary actor and director Robert Redford had passed away in his sleep at the age of 89 - but his legacy will never be forgotten to fans

THE SECRET LIFE OF ROBERT REDFORD: FROM ON-SCREEN ROMANCES TO REAL-LIFE LOVE TRIANGLES

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Hollywood legend Robert Redford, who passed away at 89, but his love life was a fascinating tale of romance, heartbreak, and platonic relationships that will leave fans talking for years to come.

Redford's first marriage to Lola Van Wagenen in 1958 was a whirlwind romance that began when he met the film producer and historian on her 19th birthday. The two exchanged vows just a year later, but their happiness was short-lived as they faced tragedy with the loss of their infant son Scott, who died from SIDS at just ten weeks old.

The Oscar-winner and founder of The Sundance Film Festival died in his sleep on Tuesday at his home in Utah , outside of Provo, The New York Times reported

"We were young and naive," Redford reflected on the devastating event in an interview with The Times of London. "We didn't know anything about sudden infant death syndrome, so as a parent, you blame yourself. It creates a scar that never completely heals."

Despite this heartbreak, Redford and Van Wagenen went on to have three more children together – sons James and Jamie (not James as mentioned earlier) and daughters Amy and Shauna. However, their son James passed away in 2020 after a battle with bile duct cancer.

Redford's personal life was not without controversy, however. He filed for divorce from Van Wagenen in 1985, citing "irreconcilable differences." In an interview with The Telegraph, he candidly admitted that the split was amicable and even referred to their relationship as a "great love" that had endured despite its demise.

He often starred alongside many of Hollywood's leading ladies at the time, like Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were in 1973, and Jane Fonda in the 1967 film, Barefoot in the Park, seen here with Streisand

Fast forward to his second marriage to German artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. The couple met at Redford's Sundance Mountain Resort in 1996, and Szaggars revealed she knew little about the Hollywood actor when they first met – a fact that amused Redford, who appreciated her lack of knowledge about his filmography.

"I thought, 'What if he wants to talk about his movies?' I have no idea — that would be so embarrassing," Szaggars confessed. "I probably would have mixed everything. Of course, he did not talk about it so I was rescued and saved."

Szaggars' artistic talents are a perfect match for Redford's environmental activism, which they share through their nonprofit organization, The Way of the Rain. As Vice President, Redford has been instrumental in promoting public awareness to support the protection of our Earth.

In 1958, Redford married his wife, Lola Van Wagenen, who was a film producer and historian

But Redford's most enduring on-screen romances have left fans wondering about his personal life. His chemistry with co-stars like Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda is undeniable, sparking rumors about possible affairs. We'll dive deeper into these relationships below.

BARBRA STREISAND: THE ON-SCREEN ROMANCE THAT TURNED INTO A FRIENDSHIP

Redford's most iconic on-screen romance was undoubtedly with Barbra Streisand in the 1973 classic, The Way We Were. Author Robert Hofler revealed that Streisand had a "crush" on Redford even before they started filming.

According to The Times of London , Redford proposed to her during a phone call, and they married in Las Vegas that next year

"Barbra was delighted because she had a crush on him, even before we started," director Sydney Pollack shared with Entertainment Weekly. "It was hard for women not to have a fixation, because he was everywhere, like Elvis. He was the golden boy long before Hubbell came along."

However, despite their undeniable chemistry, Redford made it clear that his heart belonged to Van Wagenen at the time.

Redford and Streisand's friendship endured over the years, with Streisand even presenting him with the Chaplin Award in 2015. In a hilarious speech, she joked about being "married" to Redford for a while, but ultimately acknowledged their enduring professional partnership.

Van Wagenen co-founded Consumer Action Now, an educational nonprofit in 1970, and co-founded Clio Visualizing History, Inc, a nonprofit that is 'dedicated to creating innovative online history exhibits'

JANE FONDA: THE ON-SCREEN ROMANCE THAT SPARKED A LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIP

Redford's collaborations with Jane Fonda are the stuff of legend. They first worked together in 1960's Tall Story and went on to star in several films, including The Chase (1966), Barefoot In The Park (1967), The Electric Horseman (1979), and Our Souls at Night (2017).

Fonda confessed that she developed a "crush" on Redford with each movie they made together. In a 2008 interview with People, Fonda admitted to being in love with the actor.

In 1973, Redford and Barbra Streisand played romantic interests in the hit film, The Way We Were

"I made four films with him, and for three, I was in love with him," Fonda shared with The Guardian in 2015. "Which meant I had a really good time."

Redford and Fonda's on-screen chemistry was undeniable, but their relationship remained platonic throughout. In an interview with Vulture, Fonda even joked about Redford not being fond of kissing – a claim that left fans wondering if there was more to the story.

Despite these tantalizing rumors, one thing is clear: Robert Redford's love life has been a fascinating tale of romance, heartbreak, and enduring friendships. As we remember this Hollywood legend, it's clear that his impact on our lives extends far beyond the silver screen.

The movie chronicled Katie Morosky, who was a politically active, anti-war Jewish woman played played by Streisand, and Hubbell Gardiner, who was described as a 'WASP,' played by Redford

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • The Times of London
  • People
  • Entertainment Weekly
  • Vulture

Redford and Streisand had intense chemistry in the movie, with author Robert Hofler, who published the 2023 book The Way We Were, claiming that Streisand was 'infatuated' with the actor, even before they had met

Redford first worked together with actress Jane Fonda in 1960's film Tall Story, where he played an uncredited basketball player

She later admitted in a 2015 interview with The Guardian that she was 'in love with Redford'

Their relationship was completely platonic, as Redford was still married to his wife at the time, and Fonda was married as well - but although it wasn't romantic, they shared an amazing friendship

'We've done many films over the years so it just worked out that way, that there was not a lot of discussion, we didn't have to talk about a lot,' he shared

However, Fonda shared that Redford 'did not like to kiss' and was often 'in a bad mood'

In 2009, Redford found love again as he married his second wife, German artist Sibylle Szaggars

According to People, Redford was drawn to how little Szaggars knew about him

In 2015, Szaggars founded The Way of the Rain, with Redford serving as Vice President