Redford's Heartfelt Tribute to His Late Mother

At the Sundance Film Festival Utah Women’s Leadership Celebration, Robert Redford stood out in his signature jeans and plaid shirt, embodying his signature casual charm. But as he took the stage to receive an award, his demeanor shifted from charm to heartfelt sentimentality. "Why do I feel this deep connection to women?" he pondered aloud. His answer? "It has everything to do with my mom."

Robert paid tribute to his late mother, Martha Redford, a woman who steadfastly supported him through the turbulence of his youth. Growing up in Los Angeles, Robert was a restless child, often finding himself entangled with the law. He recounted, "There was plenty of criticism directed my way, but not much support. Except for my mom. She believed in me when no one else did. She had faith that, despite everything, there was something inside me that would turn out alright." Her unwavering belief in him became a guiding force throughout his life.

Robert and his late mother, Martha.

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The Strength of Martha Redford

Martha Redford was the backbone of her family, a beacon of positivity and adventure. Robert fondly remembers her as "the strong member of the family—very outgoing. She always had a smile on her face and was incredibly adventurous." Unlike his father, Charles Redford, who was cautious and risk-averse, Martha carried the spirit of Texas with her wherever she went. "She saw the world in a positive light, and that optimism was infectious," Robert shared.

Tragically, Martha didn't live to witness her son's rise to global fame as an actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. She passed away at the age of 40 in 1955, when Robert was just 18. Her death was the result of a hemorrhage tied to a blood disorder she developed after losing twin girls at birth 10 years after Robert's own difficult delivery. Despite being warned about the dangers of another pregnancy, Martha's desire for a larger family led her to take the risk. "Her death felt so unfair," Robert reflected, still mourning the loss decades later.

Marriage and Legacy

Looking back, Robert admits he took his mother for granted during his youth. "Kids do that at that age," he said. "But my regret is that she passed away before I could properly thank her." In 1958, at the age of 22, Robert married Lola Van Wagenen, a decision he describes as a lifeline. "I don’t want to minimize the good reasons for marrying her," he explained. "But I have to admit, it felt like saving my life at the time."

Robert and Lola's marriage lasted 27 years, weathering both heartbreak and triumph. They experienced the devastating loss of their firstborn son, Scott, who died of sudden infant death syndrome in 1959, but also celebrated the joy of raising three more children. Robert's career flourished during this period, starring opposite Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and earning an Oscar for directing Ordinary People. Throughout it all, Robert never forgot the lessons his mother taught him about the importance of women. He honored her legacy by bringing his daughters, Shauna and Amy, and his second wife, Sibylle Szaggars, to the Utah Women’s Leadership Celebration.

robert redford and his wife getty images

Robert and his wife Sibylle.

A Mutual Admiration Society

Robert's appreciation for women extends beyond his family. At the Utah Women’s Leadership Celebration, he declared, "I’m using this moment to celebrate the women in this room." And it seems the admiration is mutual. Jane Fonda, who has co-star