Robert Redford was an iconic American actor, director, and producer with an estimated net worth of $200 million.
He passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 89 in his home in Provo, Utah. His death marks the end of an era in Hollywood, where Redford was not just a matinee idol with striking good looks but a multifaceted artist who shaped the industry through his performances, directorial vision, and commitment to independent cinema and environmental causes. Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, he rose from a modest background to become one of the most influential figures in film history. Redford's career spanned over six decades, blending commercial success with artistic integrity, and his legacy extends far beyond the silver screen.
Robert Redford's Net Worth
At the time of his death, Robert Redford's net worth was estimated at $200 million, a figure that reflects his enduring financial acumen as much as his artistic achievements. This substantial wealth was amassed through a combination of high-profile acting roles, directorial successes, production ventures, and wise real estate investments, all while maintaining a low-key personal profile. Sources like Celebrity Net Worth and various entertainment outlets consistently pegged his fortune at this level in 2025, underscoring how Redford turned his Hollywood stardom into a diversified empire.
Redford's journey to financial security began in the 1960s, when he transitioned from Broadway to film, but it truly accelerated with blockbuster hits in the 1970s. Films like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969) and "The Sting" (1973) not only catapulted him to superstardom but also brought in lucrative salaries and backend deals. By the 1980s, as he ventured into directing with "Ordinary People" (1980), which won him an Academy Award for Best Director, Redford began earning from multiple streams. His production company, Wildwood Enterprises, backed several successful projects, adding to his coffers.
Beyond the entertainment industry, Redford was a shrewd investor in real estate, particularly properties tied to his love for nature. He owned the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, which he purchased in the late 1960s and renamed after his famous character from "Butch Cassidy." This resort not only served as a personal retreat but also generated revenue through tourism and events, including the Sundance Film Festival. In recent years, Redford sold a home in Tiburon, California, for $4.65 million in December 2024, profiting handsomely from a $3.1 million purchase just four years prior. His portfolio included other properties in California and New Mexico, valued in the tens of millions, and an extensive art collection featuring works by Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol.
Even in his later years, as he scaled back acting after announcing semi-retirement in 2018 with "The Old Man & the Gun," Redford continued to draw income from endorsements, residuals from classic films, and his stake in the Sundance Institute. Estimates suggest he earned around $20 million annually from these sources in the years leading up to 2025. Despite his wealth, Redford was known for his philanthropy, donating millions to environmental causes through organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council. His net worth, therefore, was not just a testament to financial success but to a life where money served greater purposes, including fostering independent filmmakers and preserving the American landscape he so cherished.
Robert Redford's Best Movies
Robert Redford's filmography is a treasure trove of cinematic gems, blending high-octane adventures, thoughtful dramas, and innovative thrillers. Over his career, he starred in more than 60 movies, many of which rank among the best of their genres. Critics and audiences alike praise his ability to embody complex characters with a quiet intensity and undeniable charisma. From Rotten Tomatoes rankings to IMDb lists and retrospectives following his death, several films stand out as his finest works, showcasing his evolution from leading man to respected auteur.
One of Redford's earliest breakthroughs was "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969), directed by George Roy Hill and co-starring Paul Newman. In this revisionist Western, Redford played the Sundance Kid, a charming outlaw on the run from the law in the fading days of the Wild West. The film's witty banter, stunning Bolivian landscapes, and iconic bicycle scene made it a box-office smash, grossing over $100 million worldwide. It earned Redford his first taste of stardom and highlighted his athleticism and roguish appeal, earning a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and cementing its place as a cultural touchstone.
Reuniting with Newman and Hill for "The Sting" (1973), Redford delivered another career-defining performance as Johnny Hooker, a Depression-era con artist plotting revenge against a mob boss. This caper film, set to the infectious ragtime score of Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer," won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, and showcased Redford's knack for ensemble dynamics. His chemistry with Newman was electric, blending humor, tension, and heart in a way that critics hailed as masterful. With an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score, it's often ranked as one of the greatest con movies ever made.
Redford's dramatic chops shone in "All the President's Men" (1976), where he portrayed journalist Bob Woodward alongside Dustin Hoffman as Carl Bernstein. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, this gripping political thriller chronicled the Watergate scandal that toppled President Nixon. Redford's Woodward was a model of dogged determination and intellectual rigor, contributing to the film's four Oscars and its 94% approval rating. The movie not only influenced journalism but also demonstrated Redford's ability to tackle serious, real-world issues with authenticity.
Behind the camera, Redford's directorial debut, "Ordinary People" (1980), remains a pinnacle of his career. Starring Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, and Timothy Hutton, this emotional family drama about grief and dysfunction won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Redford. His sensitive handling of themes like mental health and loss earned universal acclaim, with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, proving his transition from actor to director was seamless.
Other standout films include "The Natural" (1984), where Redford's portrayal of aging baseball legend Roy Hobbs captured the mythic essence of American sports folklore, blending fantasy with heartfelt drama. "Out of Africa" (1985), opposite Meryl Streep, earned him a Best Actor nomination and contributed to the film's seven Oscars. Later works like "Quiz Show" (1994), which he directed and produced, explored 1950s television scandals with sharp wit, earning another Best Director nod. In his Marvel phase, Redford's villainous Alexander Pierce in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014) added a modern twist to his legacy. These movies, ranked highly across platforms like GoldDerby and Collider, illustrate Redford's versatility and timeless appeal, ensuring his performances will be revisited for generations.
Robert Redford's Wife and Family
Robert Redford's personal life was as rich and varied as his professional one, marked by deep relationships, family joys, and profound sorrows. He was married twice, with his second union providing stability in his later years. His wife, Sibylle Szaggars, an accomplished German-born artist and environmental activist, was a significant influence, sharing his passions for art, nature, and conservation. The couple's bond, forged at the Sundance Mountain Resort, exemplified a partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared values.
Redford's first marriage was to Lola Van Wagenen, whom he wed in 1958 after meeting at the University of Colorado. Lola, a historian and environmentalist, supported Redford's early career as he pursued acting in New York. Together, they had four children: Scott, born in 1959 but tragically dying just two months later from sudden infant death syndrome; daughter Shauna, born in 1960, who became a painter and family therapist; son James, born in 1962, an activist and documentary filmmaker; and youngest daughter Amy, born in 1970, a painter. The family lived a relatively private life in Utah, where Redford built their home near the Sundance resort. However, the marriage faced strains from Redford's rising fame and demanding schedule, leading to a divorce in 1985 after 27 years. Despite the split, they maintained an amicable relationship, co-parenting their children and sharing a commitment to environmental causes.
Redford met Sibylle Szaggars in 1996 at the Sundance resort, where she was exhibiting her artwork. Born in 1954 in Hamburg, Germany, Szaggars is 20 years younger than Redford and has built a career as a visual artist specializing in abstract paintings and sculptures inspired by nature. Her environmental activism aligns closely with Redford's, as she has traveled extensively to study indigenous cultures and advocate for land preservation. The couple dated for over a decade before marrying in a private ceremony on July 11, 2009, in Provo, Utah. Redford wore a white suit, while Szaggars donned a champagne-hued gown, symbolizing their elegant and understated union.
Szaggars became an integral part of Redford's life, accompanying him to red carpets, film festivals, and award ceremonies. They shared a home in Sundance and later in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Szaggars focused on her fine art gallery. In 2024, she listed a cherished Utah cabin near Sundance for $3.99 million, a property that held sentimental value as the site of their early romance. It served as her creative haven, inspiring much of her work on conservation themes. Redford's family life was not without further heartbreak; his son James died in 2020 at age 58 from bile-duct cancer. James had co-founded The Redford Center with his father in 2005, producing environmental documentaries. Redford's grief was profound, but he honored his son's memory through continued philanthropy. With Szaggars by his side, Redford navigated these personal trials, finding solace in family, art, and nature until his final days.
Robert Redford's Legacy
Robert Redford's legacy is a multifaceted tapestry woven from artistic innovation, cultural influence, and social activism, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood and beyond. As an actor, he embodied the all-American hero with a depth that transcended stereotypes, earning him a Best Actor Oscar nomination for "The Sting" in 1973. His directorial triumphs, particularly the Best Director win for "Ordinary People" in 1980 and a nomination for "Quiz Show" in 1994, showcased his storytelling prowess. Redford received an Honorary Oscar in 2002 for lifetime achievement, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1994, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 1995, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, among others. These accolades affirm his status as a giant of American cinema.
Perhaps Redford's most transformative contribution was founding the Sundance Institute in 1981, which evolved into the Sundance Film Festival. Renamed after his "Butch Cassidy" character, it became a launchpad for independent filmmakers, spotlighting talents like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Ava DuVernay. By the 1990s, Sundance had revolutionized the industry, bridging indie creativity with mainstream success and earning Oscars for films like "Coda." Redford's vision democratized filmmaking, countering Hollywood's commercialism and fostering diverse voices.
As an environmentalist, Redford's legacy is equally profound. Influenced by his Texas childhood visits and Utah life, he served as a trustee for the Natural Resources Defense Council and opposed projects like the Keystone XL pipeline. He received the Audubon Medal in 1989 for his conservation efforts and used his platform to produce documentaries through The Redford Center. His advocacy blended seamlessly with his art, as seen in films like "The Horse Whisperer" (1998), which he directed and starred in, highlighting human-nature connections.
Redford's influence extended to politics and culture; his role in "All the President's Men" inspired journalists, and his liberal stance shaped Hollywood discourse. Even in retirement, his quiet dignity and focus on "the road ahead," as he said in his Honorary Oscar speech, inspired generations. Tributes following his death from figures like Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep emphasized his kindness and integrity. Redford's passing on September 16, 2025, closes a chapter, but his films, festival, and causes ensure his spirit endures, reminding us of cinema's power to reflect and change the world.