For decades, Robert Redford has been synonymous with Hollywood royalty. With his signature golden hair, magnetic smile, and a career spanning more than half a century, Redford has captivated audiences in classics like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Way We Were,” and “All the President’s Men.” But behind the red carpet glamour and iconic roles lies a deeply personal story—a story of love, heartbreak, and resilience that the legendary actor kept hidden until now.

A Humble Beginning

Long before the world knew him as a movie star, Robert Redford was just a kid from a working-class family in Santa Monica, California. His father was an accountant, his mother kept the household running, and their life was modest. Redford was never a model student—he struggled in school, preferring the tennis court and the outdoors to the classroom. “I was a bad student,” he once admitted, “but boy, I could focus on sports and art.”

After losing his scholarship at the University of Colorado due to heavy drinking, Redford’s life could have easily unraveled. Instead, he took a bold leap, traveling through Europe and immersing himself in art and self-discovery. By the time he returned to the U.S., he’d set his sights on acting, studying in New York and slowly working his way up from small stage and television roles.

The Love That Shaped His Life

Amidst the struggle, Redford met Lola Van Wagenen in the late 1950s. Lola was everything he wasn’t—calm, grounded, and deeply rooted in her Mormon faith. Their connection was electric, and in 1958, the young couple eloped, defying her parents’ wishes. “It was the kind of romance you’d expect in a novel,” Redford later reflected.

Life wasn’t easy. Money was tight, and Redford was still trying to make it as an actor. Tragedy struck when their first child, Scott, died of sudden infant death syndrome—a loss that would leave a permanent mark on both their lives. Yet, Lola’s unwavering strength held Redford together through heartbreak and uncertainty.

As Redford’s career took off, their world changed. His breakout role in “Barefoot in the Park” on Broadway launched him into stardom, followed by a string of film hits. But with fame came new pressures. Redford was often away filming, while Lola raised their three children—Shauna, David, and Amy—at home. Looking back, Redford admits, “I regret not putting my family first more often.”

Despite the challenges, Lola was more than a wife—she was Redford’s confidant and sounding board. She supported his decision to start the Sundance Film Festival, a passion project that would revolutionize independent cinema. “Without Lola’s encouragement, Sundance might never have happened,” Redford has said.

Heartbreak and New Chapters

By the mid-1980s, the cracks in their marriage were too deep to ignore. In 1985, after 27 years together, they divorced. It wasn’t a bitter split; they remained friends and co-parented their children. Yet, Redford has called Lola “the love of my life,” a sentiment that speaks volumes about their enduring bond.

Following the divorce, Redford’s life shifted, both personally and professionally. He found himself seeking new connections and meaning. In 1987, he met Sonia Braga, the fiery Brazilian actress. Their romance was passionate but brief, marked by whirlwind moments and shared creative energy.

A couple of years later, while filming “Havana,” Redford fell for Lena Olin, a stunning Swedish actress. Their chemistry was palpable, both on and off screen. Though their relationship lasted only about a year, it added another chapter to Redford’s journey of love and self-discovery.

In the mid-1990s, Redford was linked to costume designer Kathy O’Rear, decades his junior. Their relationship was private, away from the Hollywood spotlight—a welcome change for the actor. During these years, Redford continued to direct, produce, and act, further cementing his legacy as a risk-taker and visionary.

Lifelong Friendships and Creative Bonds

Redford’s relationships weren’t always romantic. His decades-long friendship with Jane Fonda, his co-star in films like “Barefoot in the Park” and “The Electric Horseman,” added another layer of complexity. Fonda has admitted she was in love with Redford during their collaborations, though their connection remained platonic. “He wasn’t the easiest person to work with,” Fonda said, “but there was something about him that kept me drawn to him.”

Finding New Purpose

In the late 1990s, Redford’s life took another turn when he met Sibylle Szaggars, a talented artist and environmental activist. Their meeting, set against the serene backdrop of his Sundance Mountain Resort, was refreshingly simple. Sibylle hadn’t known much about Redford’s fame, and their connection grew from genuine human interaction rather than celebrity.

In 2009, the couple married in Hamburg, Germany. Together, they co-founded “The Way of the Rain,” a nonprofit combining Sibylle’s art and Redford’s storytelling to promote environmental protection. “She gave me a whole new life,” Redford has said, crediting their shared passion for nature as the glue that binds them.

Family, Loss, and Legacy

Redford’s love for his children and grandchildren has never wavered. With Lola, he had four children—Scott, Shauna, James, and Amy. The loss of Scott to SIDS was a heartbreak that never truly healed. His second son, James Redford, followed in his father’s footsteps as a filmmaker and environmental activist, co-founding the Redford Center. James’s death from liver cancer in 2020 was another devastating blow, but Redford remains deeply proud of his son’s legacy.

His daughters, Shauna and Amy, have both embraced creative careers—Shauna as an artist and Amy as a filmmaker and producer, raising families of their own and continuing the Redford tradition of storytelling.

Seven grandchildren now carry the family torch, with grandson Dylan even convincing Redford to lend his voice to a film—proving the actor’s humor and willingness to support his family’s creative endeavors.

A Career That Never Stopped Evolving

Even as his family grew, Redford’s career continued to flourish. In the 2010s, he took on some of his most challenging roles, including the nearly wordless “All Is Lost,” praised as one of his best performances. He surprised fans by playing the villain Alexander Pierce in Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” showing a new side of his talent.

In 2018, Redford announced his retirement from acting after “The Old Man & the Gun,” a role that felt like a nostalgic nod to his early career. Yet, he couldn’t resist a brief comeback in “Avengers: Endgame,” proving his enduring love for storytelling.

The Power of Stories—and Secrets

Through every chapter—love, loss, triumph, and regret—Robert Redford has remained a storyteller at heart. His partnerships, his work with his children, and his activism all reflect a man who lived fully and passionately, never afraid to take risks in love or art.

Now, at 88, Redford finally opens up about the greatest love of his life—a secret held close for decades. His story is a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of following your heart, no matter where it leads.