Robert Redford, the legendary actor, director, and environmentalist, had a rich and complex personal life. One of the most significant figures in that life was his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, whose partnership with Redford not only added to his personal happiness but also reflected shared values in art and activism. In this article, we explore who Robert Redford’s wife was, their journey together, and how she influenced both his life and legacy.
Early Lives & Meeting
Long before they were married, Robert Redford had been married once before—to Lola Van Wagenen, an American historian and activist. They married in 1958 and had children together. That marriage eventually ended. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Later, in the late 1990s, Redford met Sibylle Szaggars, a German-born multimedia artist and environmental activist, at his Sundance Mountain Resort. Fox News+3People.com+3E! Online+3
Interestingly, Szaggars was not deeply familiar with Redford’s film career at first—she had seen some of his movies, but she wasn’t a film buff. This lack of prior idolization reportedly appealed to Redford; it allowed them to connect as human beings, without the pressure or expectations that fame can bring. People.com+2Fox News+2
Marriage & Shared Passions
Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars married in 2009 in a private ceremony in Hamburg, Germany, in July. It was an intimate affair with family and friends. E! Online+3People.com+3Wikipedia+3
Their relationship was defined by shared passions, especially environmental activism and art. Szaggars is an artist whose work spans oil painting, photography, and performance. She founded a non-profit called The Way of the Rain in 2015, focused on raising awareness about environmental protection through artistic and educational work. Redford served as vice president of that organization. People.com+2Newsweek+2
Family Life & Roles
Though Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars did not have children together, Szaggars became a stepmother to Redford’s children from his first marriage with Lola Van Wagenen. People.com+2Wikipedia+2
Redford’s children include Shauna Jean, Amy Hart, David James, and Scott Anthony (who died in infancy). His son James had also passed away in more recent years before Redford’s own death. Wikipedia+2People.com+2
Life Together: Values, Privacy & Legacy
One thing that stands out in their relationship is how much privacy they kept. Despite Redford being one of the most famous actors of his generation, their relationship was not highly publicized. Both shared a mutual respect for each other’s work and passions. Szaggars wasn’t always in the spotlight; she pursued her art and activism largely out of the limelight. People.com+2E! Online+2
A strong component of their partnership was environmental concern. Redford had long been known for his love of nature—Sundance, Utah, is more than just a resort; it was a home, retreat, and creative foundation for him. Szaggars’ activism and art complemented Redford’s environmental work and reinforced a life philosophy that valued the planet, conservation, and the integration of art and nature. People.com+2People.com+2
Final Years & Robert Redford’s Legacy
Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at age 89, at his home in Utah. People.com+1 At the time of his passing, Sibylle Szaggars remained his wife of 16 years. People.com+1
His legacy is not just of film and cinema—of classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, The Way We Were—but also of the Sundance Institute, the Sundance Film Festival, and his activism. Sibylle Szaggars was a part of that legacy through her work, her partnership in environmental causes, and her role in helping maintain the values that Redford held dear. People.com+2People.com+2
Conclusion
Robert Redford’s wife, Sibylle Szaggars, played a subtle but significant role in his life. Their marriage was built on mutual respect, shared values, and a deep love of nature and art. While Redford was in the spotlight for decades, Szaggars remained grounded in her identity as an artist and activist—someone who saw Redford the person before Redford the icon.
In understanding who Robert Redford’s wife was, we gain insight into the private world behind the Hollywood legend—a world defined not by fame alone, but by connection, passion, and commitment to making a difference.
