Robert Redford, Hollywood legend and founder of the Sundance legacy, passed away at the age of 89 on September 16, 2025, at his home in the Sundance community in Utah. The actor spent his final years immersed in the mountains he cherished, far from the glitz of Hollywood, where he built a lasting cultural and environmental heritage.
The Heart of Redford’s Life and Love in the Mountains
Redford’s connection to Sundance was more than professional; it was deeply personal and intertwined with his relationship with multimedia artist and environmental activist Sibylle Szaggars Redford. She was living on the Utah property when they met in 1996 at Sundance Mountain Resort, and they married in 2009, sharing a life surrounded by natural beauty that deeply inspired both of them.
The mountain home once owned by Szaggars Redford, tucked within towering pines and looking out over Mount Timpanogos, served as a peaceful retreat and reflection of their shared values. The residence’s location offered nearby waterfalls and pristine trails, illustrating the couple’s strong reverence for the environment.
Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,
said his publicist.
This home is truly near and dear to my heart,
Sibylle Szaggars Redford stated when listing the mountain property for sale, priced at $3,995,000.
She emphasized the significance of the home to both her life and creative journey:
It has been part of my story and a source of inspiration for my journey as an artist and an environmental activist. For years, I’ve relished in the sheer beauty of the setting, which is as serene and unspoiled as it is breathtaking,
she added.
According to Jaisa Bishop of Windermere Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, Szaggars Redford chose to put the home on the market as she increasingly spent time in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she continued to advance her artistry and environmental advocacy.
Even as the property was set to transition to new ownership, it remains a lasting testament to the couple’s bond and shared reverence for nature, standing as a quiet witness to their life rooted in love, creativity, and tranquility.
From Modest Origins to a Protected Sanctuary: The Birth of Sundance Mountain Resort
Redford’s Sundance Mountain Resort represents the physical embodiment of his vision, a place where art, community, and environmental stewardship coexist amid Utah’s natural splendor. Unlike the large-scale ski resorts in the region designed to dazzle visitors with massive developments, Sundance was created with enduring sustainability in mind.
Redford first discovered Provo Canyon in the late 1950s and immediately fell in love with the area. By 1961, he purchased two acres of land near what was then a small ski area called Timp Haven, operated by Scottish immigrants. While other developers eyed the surrounding land for expansion, Redford chose a different path.
He quietly acquired thousands of acres over several decades, ultimately safeguarding more than half of the land through conservation easements and protective covenants to preserve the wilderness and prevent overdevelopment.
The resort itself encompasses roughly 500 acres—a modest size compared to neighboring ski operations—intentionally designed to maintain harmony with the environment. Sundance Mountain Resort remains nestled within the forest at the base of Mount Timpanogos without overshadowing the natural landscape, embodying Redford’s commitment to environmental preservation over commercial expansion.
Sundance Mountain Resort came to symbolize not just a destination, but a philosophy. For Redford, it was a feeling tied to respect for the land’s untouched quality and potential as a sanctuary for artists, activists, and communities that valued nature’s role in enriching the human experience.
From the private residence once belonging to Szaggars Redford to the broader protected lands of the resort, every part of Sundance serves as a tribute to the ideals that guided Robert Redford’s life beyond the screen.
Robert Redford’s Enduring Influence Through Sundance
Robert Redford’s impact extends well beyond his celebrated film career, which included iconic roles such as in
“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
His vision for Sundance was revolutionary, blending his love of cinema, nature, and community into a living legacy.
By protecting thousands of acres in Utah, Redford ensured that countless generations could access, enjoy, and be inspired by this mountainous refuge. His dedication to conservation and environmentally conscious development challenged the norms of resort expansion and set a new standard for balancing human activity with nature’s preservation.
The Sundance Film Festival, which grew out of Redford’s commitment to independent filmmakers, remains an integral part of the legacy that continues to nurture creative expression. Its location in nearby Park City, Utah, complements the ethos of sustainability and artistic freedom embodied at Sundance Mountain Resort.
As the world reflects on Robert Redford’s passing, his Sundance legacy stands as a powerful symbol of how one individual’s passion can reshape not only culture but the stewardship of the natural world. The mountain community he built remains a beacon for environmental consciousness and artistic integrity.
Moving forward, efforts to maintain and honor Redford’s vision will shape the future of Sundance and the surrounding Utah landscape, inspiring both environmental guardianship and creative collaboration for years to come.
