Robert Redford was married twice. His first wife was historian and activist Lola Van Wagenen, whom he married in 1958 and divorced in 1985; they had four children together. He married German-born artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009 and remained married to her until his death on September 16, 2025, at age 89. Szaggars is known for her environmental art, while Redford’s family life included both creative achievements and the profound losses of two sons.

Robert Redford Wife: Who Was Sibylle Szaggars? His Two Marriages, Four Children and Family Life

Introduction

Robert Redford, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors and directors, died at his home in Utah on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. His death renewed interest in the woman who shared his later years, Sibylle Szaggars Redford, as well as his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, and the family they built together.

Redford married twice during his life. His first marriage was to Van Wagenen, a historian and activist, in 1958. They had four children: Scott, Shauna, James and Amy. After their marriage ended in divorce in 1985, Redford later found a long-term partner in Szaggars, a German-born artist whose work explores the natural world and environmental themes. They married in 2009.

The story of Robert Redford’s wives offers a more personal perspective on the actor’s life beyond his famous film roles. It also provides context for his commitment to art, independent filmmaking and environmental causes. His family experienced major milestones and painful losses, including the deaths of his infant son Scott in 1959 and his son James, known as Jamie, in 2020.

What Happened? Robert Redford’s Marriage and Family History

Robert Redford’s death in September 2025 brought renewed public attention to his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, and his wider family.

His publicist confirmed his death, and major news organizations reported that he died at his home in Utah. He was 89.

Redford had spent decades building a career as an actor, director and producer, but his personal life followed its own course. He married Van Wagenen early in his career, raised a family with her, divorced in 1985 and later married Szaggars.

The two marriages belong to different periods of his life:

• 1958: Redford married Lola Van Wagenen.
• 1959: Their first son, Scott, died in infancy.
• 1960–1970: Their other three children, Shauna, Jamie and Amy, were born.
• 1985: Redford and Van Wagenen divorced.
• 2009: Redford married Sibylle Szaggars.
• October 2020: His son Jamie died following a battle with bile-duct cancer.
• September 16, 2025: Redford died at age 89.

These dates establish the broad outline of Redford’s family life without assuming that every personal detail was made public.

Who Was Robert Redford’s Wife, Sibylle Szaggars?

Sibylle Szaggars Redford is a German-born artist whose work draws inspiration from landscapes, natural processes and the environment. She became Robert Redford’s second wife in 2009 after the couple had been together for several years.

Unlike Redford, whose acting and directing made him an internationally recognized public figure, Szaggars built her identity primarily through visual art. Her work has included painting and multimedia projects, with environmental concerns playing a prominent role.

Sibylle Szaggars’ background and artistic career

Szaggars was born in Germany and developed an international artistic practice. Her work has been associated with natural elements, changing landscapes and the relationship between human beings and the environment.

One of her best-known projects is The Way of the Rain, an artistic performance that combines visual imagery, music and elements inspired by the natural world. The project reflects her interest in presenting environmental processes through art rather than relying solely on conventional explanations.

Her artistic approach shares a broad thematic connection with Redford’s environmental advocacy. Redford used his public platform to support conservation and environmental awareness, while Szaggars explored related concerns through creative expression.

However, their interests should not be treated as identical. Each developed a separate body of work and professional identity.

When did Robert Redford meet Sibylle Szaggars?

Published biographies and interviews describe Redford and Szaggars as having met in the 1990s. Their relationship developed over several years before they married.

Redford was already an established Hollywood figure by then. He had starred in acclaimed films, directed major productions and helped build an institutional platform for independent filmmakers through the Sundance Institute.

Szaggars had her own artistic career. Their relationship therefore brought together two people with established creative interests rather than a celebrity and someone whose identity depended entirely on his fame.

The precise circumstances of their first meeting have been described differently in secondary accounts. Details that cannot be traced to reliable interviews or firsthand sources should not be presented as definitively established.

When did Robert Redford marry Sibylle Szaggars?

Redford and Szaggars married in 2009 in a private ceremony at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany, according to published biographical accounts.

Their marriage followed a long relationship and lasted until Redford’s death in 2025.

The couple maintained a relatively private personal life. Although Redford was frequently associated with film premieres, festivals and public events, he did not make every aspect of his relationship a subject of public discussion.

Did Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars have children together?

There is no reliable public record establishing that Redford and Szaggars had children together.

Redford’s four children were from his first marriage to Lola Van Wagenen. They were Scott, Shauna, Jamie and Amy.

This distinction matters because online profiles sometimes combine details about Redford’s two marriages without clearly explaining which relationship produced his children.

Szaggars was his wife at the time of his death, but she was not the mother of his four children.

Sibylle Szaggars after Robert Redford’s death

Redford died on September 16, 2025. Szaggars was his wife at the time.

His death marked the end of their marriage, but it did not erase the artistic work and environmental interests that had formed part of their shared lives.

Beyond confirmed public statements and appearances, details of Szaggars’ private grieving process should not be assumed. Nor should any future plans for her art, home or personal life be reported as fact without reliable evidence.

Her own artistic career remains an important part of her identity, separate from her relationship with Redford.

Who Was Robert Redford’s First Wife, Lola Van Wagenen?

Before marrying Szaggars, Robert Redford was married to Lola Van Wagenen for 27 years. They married in 1958, when Redford was in his early twenties, and divorced in 1985.

Van Wagenen is an American historian and activist whose work has included public history and education. Her career developed independently of Redford’s success in the entertainment industry.

Lola Van Wagenen’s background

Van Wagenen became known for her historical and educational work, including efforts to make history accessible to wider audiences.

She co-founded Consumer Action Now, an organization associated with consumer and environmental education, and later became involved in projects focused on public history.

Her interests in history, education and civic engagement differed from Redford’s work as an actor and filmmaker, but both were involved in activities extending beyond their primary professional roles.

Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen’s marriage

The couple married in 1958 and had four children. Their family life unfolded as Redford moved from early acting work to major Hollywood success.

His rise to fame included performances in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and All the President’s Men. As his career expanded, he also moved into directing and producing.

Van Wagenen’s own interests and work continued during their marriage. Their divorce in 1985 ended a long partnership, although the public record does not establish every personal factor that led to their separation.

It is important not to assign motives to the divorce without direct, reliable evidence from the people involved.

Did Lola Van Wagenen remarry?

Van Wagenen later married George Burrill, according to published biographical accounts. Her life after her marriage to Redford included continued engagement with historical and educational work.

She has generally maintained a more private public profile than her former husband. Consequently, some details about her personal circumstances are less widely documented than Redford’s film career.

Robert Redford’s Four Children

Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen had four children: Scott, Shauna, James and Amy. Their lives developed in different directions, and two of the children died before their father.

Scott Anthony Redford

Scott was Redford and Van Wagenen’s first child. He died in 1959 at approximately two and a half months old. His death was attributed to sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.

Redford later spoke publicly about the profound effect of losing a child. The event remains an important part of his family history, although details of the family’s private grief should be treated with sensitivity.

Shauna Redford Schlosser

Shauna Redford is a painter who has generally kept her life out of the public spotlight.

She married Eric Schlosser, an American journalist and author best known for Fast Food Nation. Published family profiles identify them as the parents of two children.

Shauna’s artistic work represents a different path from her father’s film career. Her relatively private life also illustrates that not every member of a famous family seeks a public role.

James “Jamie” Redford

Jamie Redford was a documentary filmmaker, writer and environmental advocate. He worked on films examining subjects such as dyslexia and clean energy.

He co-founded The Redford Center with his father, an organization that supports environmental storytelling and film projects. His work combined documentary filmmaking with an interest in social and environmental issues.

Jamie died on October 16, 2020, at age 58, following a battle with bile-duct cancer. He was survived by his wife, Kyle Redford, and their two children, Dylan and Lena, according to published reports.

Amy Hart Redford

Amy Hart Redford is an actress, director and producer. She has worked in film and television and developed a professional identity within the entertainment industry.

Unlike Shauna, who has maintained a relatively private profile, Amy has worked directly in filmmaking, although she has not pursued the same level of celebrity as her father.

Published biographical profiles identify Amy as the mother of three daughters.

Together, the four children’s lives form an important part of Redford’s personal history, distinct from his achievements on screen.

Robert Redford’s Family Life in Utah

Utah played an important role in Redford’s life and public identity. He was closely associated with the American West and developed a long-standing connection to the state.

He helped establish the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, creating opportunities for independent filmmakers. The festival grew into a major cultural event and helped introduce audiences to films outside the mainstream studio system.

Redford’s Utah connection also reflected his interest in nature and environmental protection. His later life with Szaggars was associated with the region, where the couple shared interests in art and the environment.

Although their home life attracted public curiosity, the details of their daily routines were not consistently made public. It is more accurate to describe their documented interests and public work than to speculate about private family arrangements.

What Did Robert Redford Say About His Marriages and Family?

Redford did not routinely make his personal life the center of his public appearances. Much of the reliable information about his marriages comes from published biographies, interviews and obituaries.

His comments over the years included reflections on personal loss, particularly the death of his first son, Scott. These recollections offered a rare glimpse into the emotional experiences that accompanied his professional success.

For his later relationship with Szaggars, public coverage has emphasized their shared artistic and environmental interests. Claims about the private dynamics of their marriage should be attributed to direct interviews or credible reporting rather than presented as established fact without evidence.

Similarly, the reasons behind Redford’s divorce from Van Wagenen should not be reduced to a simple narrative unsupported by firsthand statements.

What did official reports confirm about his death?

Redford’s publicist confirmed his death on September 16, 2025. News organizations including the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post reported his death and reviewed his career and family history.

The announcement confirmed that Redford died at his home in Utah at age 89. Public reports did not establish a single, comprehensive account of every private family matter surrounding his final days.

Why Robert Redford’s Marriage and Family Story Matters

Redford’s marriages help explain different periods of his life, but their significance goes beyond a timeline of relationships.

His first marriage coincided with the early development of his career and the raising of his four children. His second marriage reflected a later period in which his work included filmmaking, support for independent cinema and environmental advocacy.

Szaggars’ art and Redford’s environmental interests provide a documented point of connection between their professional lives. Van Wagenen’s work in history and education shows that his first wife also had a career and public interests independent of Hollywood.

The family’s experience of loss is another essential part of the story. Scott died in infancy, while Jamie died in adulthood after a serious illness. Their deaths were personal tragedies, not merely biographical details, and should be described without sensationalism.

Taken together, these elements provide a fuller picture of Redford as a person whose life included artistic achievement, long relationships, parenthood and bereavement.

What Happens Next for Sibylle Szaggars and the Redford Family?

Following Redford’s death in September 2025, there is no single publicly confirmed plan that defines what every member of his family will do next.

Szaggars has her own artistic career, while Shauna and Amy have their own professional and personal lives. Jamie’s documentary work and environmental projects remain part of the family’s public legacy.

Redford’s influence also continues through the Sundance Institute, the films he directed and produced, and the environmental work associated with The Redford Center.

Any claims about future family announcements, inheritance arrangements or private decisions require specific, reliable evidence. In the absence of such evidence, the most accurate approach is to focus on the work and legacy that are already documented.

Conclusion

Robert Redford’s two marriages reflect different chapters of a life that extended well beyond Hollywood. His first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, shared his early family years and raised four children with him. His second wife, Sibylle Szaggars, shared his later life and a broad interest in art and the environment.

Redford died in Utah on September 16, 2025, at age 89. His family story includes the artistic careers of Shauna and Amy, Jamie’s documentary and environmental work, and the loss of Scott and Jamie.

Understanding who Robert Redford’s wives were, what they did professionally and how his family developed provides a more balanced view of the celebrated actor. It recognizes the people who shared his life without reducing their identities to their relationship with a famous man.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Redford’s Wife

1. Who was Robert Redford’s wife when he died?

Robert Redford was married to Sibylle Szaggars Redford when he died on September 16, 2025. She is a German-born multimedia environmental artist whose work includes painting and performance art. <Cite refs={[“turn703258news36″,”turn703258search3”]}/>

2. How many times was Robert Redford married?

Robert Redford had two marriages: his first to Lola Van Wagenen in 1958 and his second to Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. He was married to Szaggars until his death in 2025. <Cite refs={[“turn703258search0″,”turn703258search2”]}/>

3. Who was Robert Redford’s first wife?

His first wife was Lola Van Wagenen, an American historian and activist. They married in 1958 and had four children together. Their marriage ended in divorce in the mid-1980s, commonly reported as 1985. <Cite refs={[“turn703258search0″,”turn703258search8”]}/>

4. Did Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars have children?

No children are documented from their marriage. Redford’s four children—Scott, Shauna, James and Amy—were from his first marriage to Lola Van Wagenen. <Cite refs={[“turn703258news36″,”turn703258search2”]}/>

5. What does Sibylle Szaggars do?

Sibylle Szaggars Redford is a multimedia environmental artist. She founded The Way of the Rain nonprofit organization in 2015, using artistic performances to raise awareness about environmental challenges and the protection of the Earth. <Cite refs={[“turn703258search3″,”turn703258search4”]}/>

6. How many children did Robert Redford have?

Robert Redford had four children with Lola Van Wagenen. Scott died in infancy in 1959, and James “Jamie” Redford died in 2020. His daughters, Shauna and Amy, survived him. He also had seven grandchildren. <Cite refs={[“turn703258search0″,”turn703258search2”]}/>

7. When did Robert Redford marry Sibylle Szaggars?

Redford and Szaggars married in 2009 in Hamburg, Germany, after being together for several years. Their marriage lasted until Redford’s death in September 2025. <Cite refs={[“turn703258news36″,”turn703258search0”]}/>

8. What is Sibylle Szaggars’ connection to environmental activism?

Szaggars incorporates environmental themes into her artwork. Her project The Way of the Rain combines music, dance, film, light and visual art to explore humanity’s relationship with the natural world and raise awareness of climate-related challenges. <Cite refs={[“turn703258search3″,”turn703258search4”]}/>