by The world has lost a true Hollywood icon with the passing of Robert Redford on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. Best known for his powerful performances in classic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Jeremiah Johnson, and his Oscar-winning direction of Ordinary People, Redford’s legacy will live on through his cinematic contributions and his deep impact on the world of film. Yet, his personal life—especially his relationship with Sibylle Szaggars—offers a touching testament to the connection that transcended his fame and the Hollywood spotlight.
How a Ski Trip Led to a Love Story
Redford and Szaggars’ love story began in the late 1990s when the German-born artist and Sundance Resort guest met the iconic actor during a ski trip at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah. This particular resort, founded by Redford himself, was dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers through the Sundance Institute.
Szaggars, who did not share the same enthusiasm for films that many of Redford’s other admirers did, recalled in a 2014 National YoungArts Foundation discussion, “I knew of him… I had seen Jeremiah Johnson and Barefoot in the Park… but I wasn’t a film person. I was more into musicals, opera, and painting.”
When Redford invited her and her group to dinner, Szaggars found herself feeling slightly out of her depth. She confessed, “I had to quickly rent a few of his movies,” fearing she might be caught off guard when the conversation turned to Redford’s roles. However, as she sat down to dinner, Redford didn’t bring up his famous films, and the two shared a genuine connection—one that wasn’t colored by his fame or the usual star-struck adoration many fans would feel.
Attraction Beyond Fame
What attracted Redford to Szaggars was something simple but profound—her ability to see him as more than just a famous actor. During the same discussion, he reflected on their initial interaction: “She didn’t know much about me… I didn’t have to worry about any agenda. I’d been through that before.” He continued, “We started from a more even playing field. It was a wonderful beginning of a relationship because it began as two human beings meeting each other and finding a connection.”
A Private Love in a Public World
As their relationship blossomed in the early 2000s, Szaggars often accompanied Redford to premieres, the Sundance Film Festival, and even New York Fashion Week. Yet, despite the glitz and glamour of the red carpet, the couple managed to keep much of their romance private. Even when Redford proposed in 2008, the announcement was made with minimal fanfare. He shared with the German magazine Bunte, “We are engaged and very happy with that. She is my fiancée, and that says everything, doesn’t it?”
Their love remained largely out of the public eye, making it all the more personal and intimate. In 2009, the couple wed in Hamburg, Germany, with Szaggars joining Redford’s family as a stepmother to his three children from his previous marriage to Lola Van Wagenen: Shauna, Amy, and James Redford, the latter of whom tragically passed away in 2020.
A Shared Love of Art and Environmentalism
Throughout their decades-long relationship, Szaggars and Redford shared a deep passion for the arts and environmental causes. Szaggars, a talented artist herself, was often seen by Redford’s side at various cultural events and ceremonies, though they chose to stay away from the limelight when it came to their personal lives. Their shared dedication to conservation and environmentalism perfectly complemented their mutual love for the arts and creativity, with both of them fiercely advocating for a better, more sustainable world.
Despite their efforts to maintain a private life, Redford and Szaggars did make occasional public appearances, such as the 2021 Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s award ceremony. These rare outings reflected the quiet strength of their relationship—a relationship built on mutual respect and admiration for each other’s talents and passions.
Redford’s Final Moments and Legacy
Redford’s passing marks the end of an era for Hollywood, but his legacy will live on through his incredible body of work and his commitment to filmmaking. When he passed, Redford was at his beloved home at Sundance, in the very mountains of Utah where he had built both a legacy for himself and for independent filmmakers. His publicist shared that he was surrounded by his loved ones, in the place he held dear—reflecting his love for the land and his desire to remain grounded in the places and people who meant the most to him.
A Lasting Love Story
Robert Redford’s life was one of tremendous success, but it was the personal love story with Sibylle Szaggars that truly captured the depth of who he was. Their story was one of connection beyond the silver screen—a reminder that even the brightest stars are still just people, searching for genuine, human relationships.
Their love story will endure, much like Redford’s legacy in cinema and environmentalism. As we remember his films and his tremendous contributions to the arts, we should also reflect on the quiet, lasting bond he shared with Szaggars—an intimate relationship that was as enduring as his legendary career.
