Robert Redford's Untold Story: From Polio to Hollywood Heartbreak
THE OSCAR-WINNING LEGEND: ROBERT REDFORD'S SECRET LIFE AND HEARTBREAKING LOSSES EXPOSED
The Hollywood world is mourning the loss of a legend, Robert Redford, who passed away at his Utah home on Tuesday at the ripe age of 89. The Oscar-winning actor's on-screen adventures and romantic conquests have been etched in our collective memory forever, but it's the private struggles he faced that make for a truly riveting story.
CHILDHOOD POLIO CHANGED HIS LIFE FOREVER
At just 11 years old, Redford contracted polio, a dreaded disease that was once a common affliction worldwide. The paralysis-causing virus left him bedridden for weeks, but the experience also sparked his love affair with the great outdoors. In an interview with Smithsonian.com, he recalled: "I distinctly remember the moment I stood in awe of the natural world...My mother had taken me on a road trip as a reward for being treated for a mild case of polio. We drove from our home in LA to Yosemite and, as we came through a forest of trees and a mile-long tunnel, we stopped by the side of the road to admire the view."
The Salk vaccine's discovery was a game-changer for Redford, but it's clear that his childhood experience had a profound impact on him. He became an advocate for conservation and environmental causes, using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet.
FACING DOWN FEAR AND THE DANGERS OF YOUTH
Redford's teenage years were marked by recklessness and a penchant for taking risks. In his memoir, he recounts a harrowing tale of being forced to jump from a high building to impress bullies – an act that could have easily resulted in tragedy. He writes: "Facing down fears hit home early...You have two choices, it seemed to me. You can be led by your fears, or you can overcome them."
This period in his life was also marked by experimentation with marijuana and a love of drag racing and motorbike racing. In an interview, he revealed that he even got into a serious car crash while driving at 90 miles per hour on his way to a drag race. He said: "I was lucky to be alive."
THE DEVASTATING LOSS OF HIS MOTHER AND FIRST WIFE
Redford's life took a dark turn when his mother, Martha, passed away at the age of 40 due to complications from a blood disorder. He was just 18 at the time and later described her as "the one person who stood behind me...She believed that all things considered, she just had faith that I had something in me that was going to turn out OK."
This loss marked the beginning of a pattern of self-destructive behavior for Redford, including excessive drinking. He eventually lost his scholarship at the University of Colorado and dropped out of school.
THE HEARTBREAKING LOSSES THAT HAUNT HIM TO THIS DAY
Redford's personal life has been marred by tragedy, with two sons passing away far too soon. His eldest son, Scott, died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when he was just 10 weeks old. Redford has spoken publicly about the guilt and shame he felt as a parent at the time: "It creates a scar that never completely heals."
His second son, James, also passed away in 2020 at the age of 58 due to complications from bile duct cancer – a rare condition he had been battling for years. The family released a statement saying: "The grief is immeasurable with the loss of a child...Jamie was a loving son, husband and father. His legacy lives on through his children, art, filmmaking and devoted passion to conservation and the environment."
Redford's life has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but it's the private struggles he faced that make him a truly fascinating figure. As we say goodbye to this Hollywood legend, let us remember the man behind the myth – a complex, flawed, and ultimately resilient individual who left an indelible mark on our world.
References:
- "Robert Redford: The Biography" by Peter L Levin
- Smithsonian.com interview with Robert Redford
- The Scholarly Note (thescholarlynote.com) article.