For decades, Robert Redford captivated audiences worldwide with his undeniable charm, remarkable talent, and a charisma seemingly tailor-made for the silver screen.

Yet behind his iconic roles and glamorous red-carpet appearances lay a personal journey marked by deep love, profound loss, and quiet resilience.

Now, at 88, the legendary actor has finally opened up about the greatest love of his life: Lola Van Wagenen. But why did he keep their profound bond hidden for so long?

Redford, known for unforgettable roles in classics like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “The Way We Were,” started life far from Hollywood glamour.

Growing up in a working-class family in Santa Monica, California, his father was an accountant and his mother managed their household in Van Nuys. A self-described distracted student, Robert thrived not in classrooms but on tennis courts and behind canvases.

Despite early athletic promise, including warming up tennis legend Pancho Gonzalez at the Los Angeles Tennis Club, academics were a struggle.

His stint at the University of Colorado quickly spiraled downward when heavy drinking cost him both his scholarship and enrollment.

Rather than accept defeat, Redford embraced wanderlust, traveling through Europe to find inspiration in art, sketching, and a simpler life. It was during these formative years abroad that acting first entered his consciousness.

Upon returning to the U.S., he took up studies at New York’s Pratt Institute and later pursued acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Success didn’t come overnight.

Small roles in stage productions and TV slowly built his reputation, setting the foundation for stardom.

But amidst career uncertainty in the late 1950s, Redford met Lola Van Wagenen, a grounded young woman from Provo, Utah, deeply rooted in her Mormon faith.

Their connection was instant, leading them to elope in 1958 despite parental objections. Together, they navigated financial hardships and tragedy, notably losing their first child, Scott, to sudden infant death syndrome—a loss that tested yet strengthened their bond profoundly.

Lola became Redford’s emotional anchor, supporting him tirelessly as his career gradually took off.

His breakout role in “Barefoot in the Park” on Broadway in 1963 paved his way to stardom, and soon Redford became a household name, known for his roles opposite Paul Newman and Barbra Streisand.

Yet fame strained their marriage. While Redford’s star rose, Lola was left managing the demands of raising their children, Shauna, David James, and Amy.

Redford later expressed regret for prioritizing his career over his family, recognizing the sacrifices Lola made and the support she provided, especially in launching the Sundance Film Festival, an initiative that transformed the independent film landscape forever.

The couple ultimately divorced in the mid-1980s after nearly three decades together, but Lola remained, according to Redford, “the love of his life.”

Their bond persisted even through separation, marking her impact on his life profoundly.

In the years following his divorce, Redford experienced several high-profile romances, including Brazilian actress Sonia Braga and later Lena Olin.

Yet, these relationships were fleeting compared to the foundational connection he had shared with Lola.

In 2009, Redford married artist and environmental activist Sibylle Szaggars, further embracing his passion for art and environmental causes.

Together, they established The Way of the Rain, an initiative blending art and environmental advocacy. Even with this new chapter, his lifelong dedication to storytelling, activism, and family remained strong.

Family tragedies continued to shape Redford profoundly, especially losing his son James to liver cancer in 2020.

James, a talented filmmaker and environmental activist, had followed closely in his father’s footsteps, co-founding the Redford Center to advocate for environmental awareness through film.

Redford’s daughters Shauna and Amy have similarly carried his creative legacy forward, making their own marks in filmmaking and arts.

Amy, in particular, emerged as a significant voice in cinema, passionately exploring motherhood and women’s narratives.

Today, married to artist and environmental activist Sibylle Szaggars, Redford continues advocating passionately for environmental issues.

Together, they founded “The Way of the Rain,” combining art and storytelling to promote ecological awareness.

Robert Redford’s life story, rich with professional triumphs and personal heartbreak, is ultimately one of resilience, profound love, and unwavering dedication to his passions.

At 88, he’s finally shared the full depth of his most significant relationship, offering fans a rare glimpse behind the curtain of his storied life.