Robert Redford, the celebrated actor, director, and activist, passed away at age 89 on September 16, 2025, as reported by The New York Times. Renowned for his roles in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President’s Men, Redford’s influence extended to new audiences through his appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. His enduring Robert Redford family legacy reflects a deeply personal journey marked by love, grief, and the continuation of creativity through his descendants.
The Early Years: Marriage and Parenthood
Redford’s family story began with his 1958 marriage to historian Lola Van Wagenen. Over their years together, they had four children: Scott, Shauna, James (known as Jamie), and Amy. Their firstborn, Scott, tragically died from sudden infant death syndrome two months after his birth in 1959, an event that profoundly impacted Redford’s approach to life and parenting.
Following Scott, Shauna was born in 1960 and grew up outside of Hollywood’s intense public eye. Jamie arrived in 1962, inheriting his father’s artistic inclinations, and later pursued work in filmmaking and philanthropy. The youngest, Amy, born in 1970, also developed a career in acting and directing, continuing the family’s creative tradition.
Enduring Grief and Personal Strength
Jamie Redford’s creative work focused on documentary films such as The Kindness of Strangers and Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution. Beyond his artistic contributions, Jamie became a passionate advocate for organ donation following two liver transplants. His death in 2020 from bile-duct cancer reopened old wounds for Redford, echoing the earlier loss of Scott.
After divorcing Lola Van Wagenen in 1985, Redford found renewed support in his daughters and his second wife, artist Sibylle Szaggars, whom he married in 2009. Sibylle played an important role in rekindling love and creativity in his later years, helping him navigate the sorrow caused by Jamie’s passing.
Passing the Torch to Future Generations
Though Redford’s film career was marked by iconic performances in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Way We Were, and All the President’s Men, he often credited parenthood with keeping him grounded. His children and grandchildren continue to uphold his artistic legacy across various disciplines.
Shauna, 63, became an artist and mother to two children, Mica and Conor. Jamie and his wife, Kyle, raised Dylan and Lena before his death. Amy, now 53, has maintained her presence in the film industry while raising three children, including twins. The grandchildren have embraced creative paths as well; Dylan has pursued studio art and appeared in the documentary The Big Picture, and Lena has worked in film and voice acting.
Robert Redford’s Lasting Impact on Family and Art
At 89, Redford described family as the foundation of his life, emphasizing the central role of love despite profound losses. His dedication to fatherhood, grandfatherhood, and marriage underscored the personal meaning behind his public success. The close bonds he maintained with his children and grandchildren ensure that his passion for storytelling, activism, and art continues into future generations.
“Sundance and the legacy he built are now in the hands of his children and their children.” – Robert Redford
