Robert Redford and his second wife, Sibylle Szaggars, shared 16 years of marriage before he passed away in 2025.
Their journey began after Redford’s divorce from his first wife, culminating in their wedding in 2009.
During a 2011 interview, Redford referred to Szaggars, who was 68 at the time, as a “very special person.” Their bond deepened, as their connection became evident.
The couple first met in 1996
Redford, known for his role in “The Candidate,” met Szaggars, a German artist and environmentalist, shortly after his divorce from Laura van Weigenen. They crossed paths at Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, where he invited her to dinner after they skied together. Szaggars admitted she felt nervous because she wasn’t familiar with his films.
In a light-hearted moment, she hurriedly watched a snippet from one of his movies before their dinner, which she found a bit embarrassing. Thankfully, their conversation didn’t revolve solely around his film career, allowing them to connect as individuals instead.
Engagement and marriage
In 2008, Redford revealed they were engaged during an interview with a German magazine, and he expressed joy about their relationship at that time. They officially married in July 2009 in an intimate ceremony in Hamburg, Germany, attended by about 30 close family and friends.
Redford spoke fondly of Szaggars in 2011
Even though they preferred to keep their relationship private, Redford opened up about Szaggars during a conversation with AARP, highlighting her qualities that he appreciated. He noted that their differing backgrounds enriched their relationship.
A shared passion for environmental activism
Besides his film career, Redford was deeply committed to environmental advocacy. Szaggars founded a nonprofit called The Way of the Rain, with Redford taking on the role of vice president. The organization aimed to promote environmental awareness through art and education.
They received recognition for their collaborative efforts at various events, and Redford articulated the importance of their work in connecting humanity with nature, especially during challenging times.
No children together, but family ties remain
During their 16 years together, Redford and Szaggars did not have children, but Szaggars became a stepmother to Redford’s three children from his first marriage.
Redford’s children and their stories
Redford had four children with Laura van Weigenen: Scott, Shawna, Jamie, and Amy. Tragically, Scott passed away shortly after birth, leaving a lasting impact on Redford, who later shared the emotional scars that loss created.
Shauna, born in 1960, largely kept her life private, though she acknowledged the influence of her father in her pursuit of acting. Jamie, born in 1962, spoke openly about the complexities of having a famous parent and his own experiences within the industry. Sadly, he succumbed to cancer in 2020.
Amy, the youngest, pursued a career in theater, sharing that growing up around filmmaking sparked her interest in acting. Redford often referred to his children as his greatest achievements, despite the challenges that arose in family life.
In the end, Redford’s legacy includes not just his film accomplishments but also his meaningful contributions to his family and the environment.
