Thirty minutes ago, the world received heartbreaking confirmation from Sibylle Szaggars Redford and Robert Redford’s family: the beloved actor and director passed away peacefully at his home in Sundance, Utah. The announcement came with a brief but poignant statement confirming that he died in his sleep, surrounded by those he loved.
Robert Redford, 89, had spent decades as one of Hollywood’s greats—an actor, filmmaking pioneer, director, and environmental advocate whose devotion to his craft inspired generations. Though widely admired for his performances in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, and Out of Africa, Redford’s legacy extended far beyond the screen. He was also the founder of the Sundance Institute and its film festival, a hub that reshaped independent cinema globally.
The statement released by Sibylle Szaggars and the Redford family did not specify any prolonged illness or cause beyond stating that Redford passed away in his sleep at his beloved home in Sundance. They requested privacy for themselves during this time of grief, asking that the public and media respect their space as they mourn.
Sibylle Szaggars, Redford’s wife since their marriage in 2009, issued the announcement together with long-time family representatives. A German-born multimedia artist and environmental activist, Szaggars had shared a deep bond with Redford for nearly three decades. Their partnership was marked not only by love but by shared devotion to environmental causes; Szaggars founded The Way of the Rain, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education through the arts, of which Redford had been vice president. San Francisco Chronicle+3People.com+3SCMP+3
Despite his many public achievements, Redford guarded much of his private life. Very few people outside his close circle knew of his final days. Family sources say that he was calm, at home, and at peace with those around him. In keeping with his longtime values, the family plans a private memorial, in place of large public ceremonies, in keeping with his wish that what mattered most was spending love and time with family and close friends.
Friends, colleagues, and admirers around the world have already begun to pour out tributes—actors, directors, environmentalists, and ordinary people alike. Many recall Redford not only for his magnetic screen presence, famous roles, and directorial successes (including his Oscar for Ordinary People) but also for his lifelong commitment to preserving natural landscapes, supporting emerging filmmakers, and speaking out about climate change.
Robert Redford is survived by Sibylle Szaggars, his step-children, and a broad legacy that includes film, environmental activism, and institutions like the Sundance Film Festival that he founded and nurtured. As the world responds to this loss, many are expected to look back at not just the iconic films, but also the quieter life he led with Szaggars—one rooted in art, nature, and a mutual respect that transcended fame.
For now, the family has asked for privacy, to grieve in their own way, and to remember Redford on their own terms. The outpouring of public mourning is inevitable—and as it comes, it will no doubt be filled with gratitude for a life lived with passion, creativity, and purpose.
