The Enduring Legacy: 7 Surprising Facts About Robert Redford's Family And How They Continue His Work In 2025
The world of cinema and environmental activism is still processing the loss of a legend. Charles Robert Redford Jr., the iconic actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Institute, passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. His death, which occurred peacefully at his home in Sundance, Utah, has brought renewed focus to the private but powerful family he leaves behind—a family deeply committed to carrying forward his passion for art, independent film, and environmental causes. This comprehensive look, updated for late 2025, explores the lives of his surviving wife, two daughters, and seven grandchildren, revealing how they are actively preserving and expanding the Redford legacy.
The Redford family's story is one of immense creativity, resilience, and quiet dedication, marked by both great success and profound tragedy. From his second wife, a German artist and environmentalist, to his children who have forged their own paths in filmmaking and painting, the name Redford remains synonymous with a commitment to storytelling and the natural world.
Robert Redford: A Complete Family & Professional Profile
Robert Redford’s life was a multi-faceted tapestry woven with blockbuster stardom, pioneering independent film advocacy, and deep personal commitment to the environment. His family life, spanning two marriages and four children, served as the private foundation for his public work.
- Full Name: Charles Robert Redford Jr.
- Born: August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, U.S.
- Died: September 16, 2025, at 89, in Sundance, Utah, U.S.
- First Wife: Lola Van Wagenen (m. 1958; div. 1985)
- Second Wife: Sibylle Szaggars Redford (m. 2009)
- Children (4 total): Scott Anthony Redford (1959, deceased), Shauna Redford Schlosser (b. 1960), David James Redford (1962–2020, deceased), Amy Redford (b. 1970).
- Grandchildren: Seven (including Mica Schlosser, Conor Schlosser, Dylan Redford, and Lena Redford).
- Key Career Highlights: Star of *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid*, *The Sting*, *The Way We Were*, and *All the President’s Men*. Founder of the Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Institute. Academy Award winner (Best Director for *Ordinary People*, Lifetime Achievement).
The Two Women Who Defined His Personal Life: Lola and Sibylle
Robert Redford’s personal journey was shaped significantly by his two marriages, which spanned nearly seven decades and highlighted different phases of his life and career.
Lola Van Wagenen: The First Chapter and Mother of His Children
Redford married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958, a time when he was still a struggling actor. Lola, a historian and activist, became the mother of his four children: Scott, Shauna, James, and Amy.
Their marriage lasted 27 years, a remarkable feat in Hollywood. The couple endured the unimaginable tragedy of losing their first son, Scott, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at just two months old in 1959. This profound loss was a private pain that Redford rarely discussed publicly, but it deeply informed his perspective on life and family.
Sibylle Szaggars Redford: The Artist and Environmental Partner
In 2009, Redford married German-born multimodal artist Sibylle Szaggars. They had met years earlier in 1996 at his Sundance Mountain Resort.
Sibylle Szaggars Redford, a renowned painter and environmentalist, brought a shared passion for nature and art into Redford’s later life. She is known for her large-scale, vibrant works, often inspired by environmental themes, and has been a driving force behind The Redford Center’s mission.
The couple's relationship was one of mutual support for their respective artistic and conservation efforts, solidifying the Redford family's identity as environmental advocates. Following Redford's passing, Sibylle continues her work, focusing on her fine art gallery and creating new pieces, ensuring the Redford name remains tied to the arts.
The Next Generation: Shauna and Amy Redford's Current Projects
The two surviving daughters, Shauna and Amy, have both carved out significant careers in the creative arts, embracing the independent spirit championed by their father.
Shauna Redford Schlosser: The Painter and Quiet Activist
Shauna Redford Schlosser, born in 1960, is an accomplished painter who focuses on contemporary abstract works. She is married to journalist and author Eric Schlosser, known for his investigative work like *Fast Food Nation*.
Shauna maintains a relatively low profile compared to her sister, dedicating her life to her art and family. She and Eric are the parents of two of Redford's grandchildren: Mica Schlosser and Conor Schlosser.
Amy Redford: The Director and Producer
Amy Redford, the youngest of Redford's children, has followed most closely in her father's footsteps as a director, producer, and actor. Her work is a testament to the family's commitment to independent storytelling.
In the wake of her father's death, Amy has been outspoken about protecting his legacy, notably criticizing the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) tributes, calling them a "violation" of his memory.
Her work schedule for 2025 is particularly demanding, showcasing her commitment to her craft. Her recent and upcoming directorial and production credits include the documentary *The Devil Is Busy* (2024), and the anticipated projects *Katrina: Come Hell and High Water* (2025) and *Eyes on the Prize* (2025).
The Redford Center and James’s Enduring Environmental Legacy
One of the most powerful and ongoing aspects of the Redford family legacy is The Redford Center, an environmental nonprofit co-founded by Robert and his late son, James Redford, in 2005.
The Life and Work of James Redford
James "Jamie" Redford was a celebrated documentary filmmaker and environmental activist. His work, including *The Kindness of Strangers*, focused on crucial social and environmental issues.
His death in 2020 at the age of 58 from liver cancer was a devastating loss for the family. However, his work with The Redford Center ensures his vision for a sustainable future continues. James Redford’s widow, Kyle Redford, and their two children, Dylan and Lena Redford, remain connected to the organization.
The Redford Center's 2025 Legacy Campaign
In late 2025, The Redford Center is actively engaged in a significant "Legacy Campaign," a $25 million fundraising initiative aimed at substantially scaling up their efforts to mobilize environmental storytellers.
The Center's mission is to merge storytelling with environmental action, and in October 2025, they announced an additional $400,000 in grants through their Grants Program, along with a new pilot program focused on impact campaigns. This work directly carries the torch lit by Robert and James Redford.
The Seven Grandchildren: Carrying the Redford Name Forward
Robert Redford was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren, who are now poised to continue his artistic and activist tradition. They are the ultimate inheritors of the Redford legacy.
The grandchildren are divided among his surviving children: Shauna has two, the late James had two, and Amy has three children (including twin daughters and a daughter named Eden).
Several of the grandchildren are already making their mark:
- Conor Schlosser: Son of Shauna, Conor is a producer at RadicalMedia in New York City, working in the media space.
- Mica Schlosser: Shauna's daughter, Mica, is also involved in the creative world, though she maintains a lower profile.
- Dylan Redford: Son of James, Dylan has taken a leadership role within The Redford Center, helping to guide the organization’s future as a board member.
- Lena Redford: James's daughter, Lena, also contributes to the family's environmental and artistic pursuits.
From the Sundance Film Festival, which remains the cornerstone of independent cinema, to The Redford Center’s ongoing environmental campaigns, the family ensures that the values Robert Redford championed—artistic freedom, environmental protection, and thoughtful storytelling—will endure for generations to come. The family’s collective work in 2025 serves as the most powerful and personal tribute to the legendary icon.
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