The late Robert Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars.
News broke on Tuesday, September 16, that Redford died at age 89 at his home in Utah. A statement shared via The New York Times confirmed that the legendary actor died in his sleep. A cause of death was not revealed.
Redford’s death came following his departure from the spotlight after a decades-long career in Hollywood. During his early acting days, Redford was married to Lola Van Wagenen. Their relationship lasted from 1958 to 1985. More than two decades later, Redford met and married Szaggars, whom he was married to from 2009 until his death.
“She’s a very special person,” Redford told AARP magazine of his wife during a 2011 interview. “She’s younger than I am, and European, which I like, so that’s a whole new life.”
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Szaggars:
How Szaggars and Redford Met
The couple actually knew each other for more than ten years before getting married. They met at his Sundance Mountain Resort in 1996 — and Szaggars didn’t know how famous Redford was at the time.
“I knew of him,” Szaggars said while speaking alongside Redford on a panel in 2014, initially panicking because she didn’t think that she was familiar with any of his movies. However, her lack of knowledge helped their relationship.
“It was a wonderful beginning of a relationship,” he said. “It began as two human beings meeting each other and finding a connection as two human beings, rather than being colored by success.”
They Had a Private Marriage
Redford confirmed in 2008 that he had proposed to Szaggars. They married the following year in her hometown of Hamberg, Germany in front of 30 guests.
Szaggars Is German
Redford’s wife is famous in her own right, but definitely not for acting. She’s a German environmental artist.
They Started a Nonprofit Together
Szaggars founded the The Way of the Rain nonprofit in 2015. Redford acted as its vice president before his death.
According to its website, the organization was started “exclusively for charitable, cultural and educational purposes, including the specific purpose of developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances themed and designed to promote public awareness and support for the protection of our Earth.”
They Had No Children
Redford welcomed four kids with his ex-wife, Van Wagenen, throughout their marriage. (Late sons Scott and David and daughters Shauna and Amy.)
He and Szaggars did not share any kids of their own, despite her being 20 years his junior.
