Robert Redford, the iconic actor famed for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Out of Africa, passed away at 89, prompting many to reflect on his personal life, especially his longtime partner, Sibylle Szaggars Redford. His Robert Redford love story with Sibylle, which began in 1996 at his Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, is remembered for its deep connection beyond fame and success.
When the couple first met, Sibylle admitted she knew very little about the actor, a detail that Redford said attracted him.
“It was a wonderful beginning of a relationship, because it began as two human beings meeting each other and finding a connection as two human beings, rather than being colored by success,”
he told AARP The Magazine.
Their relationship blossomed over many years before they married in July 2009 at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. The intimate wedding saw Redford dressed in a white suit, while Sibylle wore a champagne-colored gown. Although they did not have children together, Sibylle became a devoted stepmother to Redford’s daughters, Shauna Jean and Amy Hart, from his previous marriage to historian Lola Van Wagenen.
Redford also endured the loss of two sons from that marriage – Scott Anthony, who died of SIDS as an infant, and James, who passed away from liver cancer in 2020.
The Artistic Vision and Environmental Passion of Sibylle Szaggars
Sibylle Szaggars has spent over four decades building a respected career as a multimedia artist working with oil paint, photography, and performance art. Her creations have been showcased in locations such as Europe, Monaco, Peru, Singapore, Japan, and the United States, reflecting her global recognition. Her childhood experiences traveling with her family shaped her artistic inspiration, especially from indigenous cultures and ancient landscapes.
In the mid-1990s, she launched a Buffalo series to draw attention to endangered wildlife and environmental challenges.
“I used the American Buffalo as a symbol for vanishing life,”
she explained to Big Life Magazine. She described nature as a motivating force behind both her artistry and activism, stating,
“From the beginning of my career as an artist, nature was the force that inspired me to be an activist from within my art.”
This shared love of environmental preservation was a cornerstone of their marriage, as Redford often called Sibylle “a very special person” who introduced him to “a whole new life.” Together, they cultivated a partnership built on creativity, respect, and a mutual dedication to protecting the planet.
Robert Redford’s Legacy Through Film and Environmental Advocacy
Redford’s impact continues beyond his film achievements, carried forward by The Redford Center, a nonprofit he co-founded with his late son James to develop environmental projects with meaningful impact. Their combined commitment to environmental activism and artistry underlined their lasting bond and influence, inspiring others to consider the natural world as a key element of their work and lives.
