Charles Robert Redford Jr., known professionally as Robert Redford, was an iconic American actor, director, producer, and activist whose career spanned over six decades. Born into a modest family in California, Redford rose to become one of Hollywood’s most enduring leading men, captivating audiences with his striking looks, understated charisma, and commitment to meaningful storytelling. He not only starred in timeless classics but also revolutionized independent cinema through the Sundance Institute and Film Festival. Redford’s life was marked by professional triumphs, personal tragedies, and a deep dedication to environmental and social causes. He passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers and activists alike.
Early Life and Background
Robert Redford was born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, to Charles Robert Redford Sr., an accountant for Standard Oil, and Martha W. Redford (née Hart), a homemaker. As an only child after his mother’s death when he was young—due to a blood disorder related to the birth of twin girls who didn’t survive—Redford grew up in a working-class environment during the tail end of the Great Depression. He described his childhood as scrappy; he attended Van Nuys High School, where he was known for his athletic prowess in baseball and tennis, as well as a rebellious streak that included minor mischief like stealing hubcaps. Academically, he struggled, finding more solace in art and sports than in the classroom.
Redford briefly attended the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship, joining the Kappa Sigma fraternity, but his heavy drinking led to his expulsion. Undeterred, he hitchhiked to Europe in his late teens, immersing himself in the vibrant art scenes of Paris and Florence. This experience ignited his passion for the arts. Upon returning to the U.S., he studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn for painting and later shifted to acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. His early stage work included Broadway roles in plays like Tall Story (1959) and The Highest Tree (1960), setting the stage for his film career.
Rise to Fame and Career Highlights
Redford’s Hollywood breakthrough came in the late 1960s. His film debut was a small role in Tall Story (1960), but it was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), co-starring Paul Newman, that catapulted him to stardom. Playing the cool-headed Sundance Kid, Redford’s performance in the Western-comedy grossed over $100 million and earned him widespread acclaim for his blend of charm and intensity. This role inspired him to purchase and rename a Utah ski resort “Sundance,” which later became the foundation for his independent film initiatives.
The 1970s solidified Redford’s status as a leading man. In The Way We Were (1973), he portrayed the handsome but emotionally distant Hubbell Gardiner opposite Barbra Streisand, earning his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. That same year, The Sting reunited him with Newman in a con-artist caper that won seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Redford’s versatility shone in political dramas like The Candidate (1972), where he played a reluctant senator, and All the President’s Men (1976), in which he embodied journalist Bob Woodward investigating the Watergate scandal alongside Dustin Hoffman. As executive producer on the latter, Redford emphasized journalistic accuracy, reflecting his off-screen interest in politics and accountability.
Transitioning to directing, Redford made his debut with Ordinary People (1980), a raw exploration of family grief starring Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton. The film won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Redford, marking him as a serious auteur. He continued directing with Quiz Show (1994), a tale of 1950s TV scandals that earned him another Best Director nomination, and A River Runs Through It (1992), a poetic adaptation of Norman Maclean’s novella narrated by Redford himself. His later acting roles included the introspective billionaire in Indecent Proposal (1993), the titular horse trainer in The Horse Whisperer (1998), which he also directed, and a poignant turn as a bank robber in The Old Man & the Gun (2018), after which he announced his retirement from acting.
Throughout his career, Redford received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, two Golden Globes, and a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award in 2002. He was known for championing indie films, avoiding typecasting, and using his platform for activism.
Physical Attributes: Height and Appearance
Standing at an impressive 5 feet 10½ inches (approximately 179 cm), Robert Redford possessed a lean, athletic build that contributed to his on-screen allure. His signature sandy blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and chiseled features made him the epitome of the all-American heartthrob in the 1960s and 1970s. Redford’s physicality was honed from his sports background and his willingness to perform his own stunts in films like Butch Cassidy. Even as he aged gracefully into his later roles, his height and presence commanded attention, often portraying characters of quiet strength and introspection. He once quipped about aging, saying, “I assumed I would age naturally, as time went on,” embracing the lines and wisdom that came with time.
Personal Life: Marriages, Family, and Tragedies
Redford’s personal life was as complex and resilient as his characters. He married his college sweetheart, Lola Van Wagenen, on August 9, 1958, in Las Vegas, followed by a reception in Provo, Utah. Lola, a historian and activist, shared Redford’s interest in social issues. The couple had four children: Scott Anthony (born 1959), Shauna Jean (born 1960), David James “Jamie” (born 1962), and Amy Hart (born 1970). Tragically, Scott died at just 2½ months old from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 1959, a loss that profoundly affected the young family. Redford later reflected, “I was only 21; my wife was 20. We were just starting our lives… Of course it was traumatic.”
The marriage lasted 27 years but ended in divorce in 1985 amid growing career demands. Post-divorce, Redford remained close to his children. Shauna became an actress and producer, appearing in films like Indecent Proposal and directing The Big Charade (2003). She married Eric Schlosser (author of Fast Food Nation) and has a daughter, Anna “Mica” Schlosser. Jamie Redford was a documentary filmmaker focused on environmental issues; he co-founded The Redford Center with his father and underwent two liver transplants due to primary sclerosing cholangitis before dying from bile duct cancer in 2020 at age 58. Amy, the youngest, is also an actress and director, known for roles in Maid to Order (1987) and directing The Big Sick (2017). She has two children from her marriage to musician David Gray.
In 1996, Redford began a relationship with German artist Sibylle Szaggars, whom he met near his Sundance resort. They married on July 11, 2009, at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. Szaggars, a painter, photographer, and performance artist, shared Redford’s passion for environmentalism. Her abstract works often explore nature and human connection, and she became an integral part of his later life, living with him in Sundance, Utah. The couple had no children together, but Szaggars embraced Redford’s family. At the time of his death, Redford was survived by Sibylle, daughters Shauna and Amy, and seven grandchildren.
Redford’s family life was private; he valued solitude and nature, often retreating to his Utah home. He spoke rarely about his losses but channeled them into his work and philanthropy, supporting causes like conservation and indigenous rights.
Net Worth and Financial Legacy
At the time of his death in 2025, Robert Redford’s net worth was estimated at $200-215 million. This fortune stemmed from his prolific film career, where he commanded high salaries—reportedly earning millions per project in his prime—along with savvy investments. Key assets included his Sundance Mountain Resort, purchased in the 1960s for $200,000 and developed into a premier ski destination and film hub, generating substantial revenue. Real estate holdings, such as properties in Utah and New York, added to his wealth. As a producer and director, Redford’s involvement in hits like Butch Cassidy and Ordinary People yielded ongoing royalties. His environmental ventures, including the Sundance Institute, were self-funded but enhanced his brand value. Philanthropy, like donations to the Natural Resources Defense Council, reflected his priorities, but his estate ensures his family’s financial security.
Activism and Later Years
Beyond cinema, Redford was a fierce environmentalist, founding the Sundance Institute in 1981 to nurture independent voices. The annual Sundance Film Festival, starting in 1985, launched careers like those of Quentin Tarantino and the Duplass brothers. He advocated for climate action, renewable energy, and Native American land rights, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In his later years, post-retirement from acting in 2018, Redford focused on directing, painting, and family. He narrated documentaries and supported progressive causes, maintaining a low profile until his peaceful passing at home in Sundance.
Q&A: Key Facts About Robert Redford
Q: How old was Robert Redford? A: Robert Redford was born on August 18, 1936, making him 89 years old at the time of his death on September 16, 2025.
Q: What was Robert Redford’s height? A: He stood at 5 feet 10½ inches (179 cm), a stature that suited his roles as both rugged outdoorsmen and sophisticated leads.
Q: What was Robert Redford’s net worth? A: Estimates place his net worth at $200-215 million in 2025, built from films, Sundance Resort, and real estate.
Q: Who was Robert Redford’s wife? A: His first wife was Lola Van Wagenen (married 1958-1985), with whom he had four children. His second wife was artist Sibylle Szaggars (married 2009 until his death), whom he met in the 1990s.
Q: Did Robert Redford have sons? A: Yes, he had two sons: Scott Anthony (1959-1959, died of SIDS) and David James “Jamie” Redford (1962-2020, died of bile duct cancer). He also had daughters Shauna and Amy.
Q: What were some of Robert Redford’s most famous movies? A: Iconic films include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and Ordinary People (1980, which he directed).
