Robert Redford is one of the most popular and successful figures in the entertainment industry. But the Hollywood legend didn’t follow a smooth road to the top. Robert Redford has been on our movie screens for six decades now.
One of the few surviving movie legends among his peers, the California-born actor and filmmaker has been a role model for many rising stars in the industry and even beyond. He is the recipient of numerous recognitions, such as the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and BAFTA Award.
He is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award and has been featured in the Times’s list of 100 most influential people in the world. Redford, who was involved in creating the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival, survived some tragic life situations that many of his fans are not aware of.
From suffering polio as a child and almost getting paralyzed to almost losing his life, here are seven of the most terrifying experiences the multiple award-winning actor and political activist has had to surmount.
Robert Redford Almost Ended in a Wheelchair as a Child
Robert Redford has revealed the battle he fought against polio as a child. It was stated in his book, “Robert Redford: The Biography,” in which he assisted author Michael Feeney Callan in writing, that he almost lost his ability to walk due to the disease. However, the polio never became severe as it only confined him to bed for a few weeks.
In an interview, Redford said he was just 11 at the time, and polio was more scary in the 1940s when he suffered from it. “Before the Salk vaccine was discovered, what hung over your childhood was always the fear of polio because all you saw were people in iron lungs,” he recalled.
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Robert Redford Nearly Lost His Life as a Teen
In another event in his early years, Redford said he nearly died when he tried to prove himself to his friends. At the time, he was rolling with the street gangs of his neighborhood and was a menace to his community. One day, one of his gang members dared him to jump off a high building to prove his courage.
Although he survived the challenge unscathed, Redford said he took some positives from it. But carrying out a potentially fatal jump wasn’t his final bus stop. He went on to commit a number of crimes and, at a time, ran into trouble with the cops for holding stolen jewelry.
He Lost His Mother at 18
Another tragic incident in his life was the loss of his mother when he was just 18. Robert Redford’s mother, Martha Redford, died at 40 from hemorrhage in 1955. She reportedly died due to a blood disorder she got after the stillbirth of twin babies eight years before her death.
At a 2018 women’s conference in Utah, Redford spoke about his mom and how she loved him even when he didn’t deserve it. “She believed that all things considered, she just had faith that I had something in me that was going to turn out okay,” he said in an emotional speech.
He regretted that she didn’t live long enough to see the result of her prayers. “I took [my mom] for granted because that’s the way kids were at that age. My regret is that she passed away before I could thank her,” he added.
Robert Redford Got Expelled From College
Even though college made Redford drop his delinquent lifestyle, he still had lots of bad behavior. After less than two years at the University of Colorado, he was kicked out for an undisclosed offense.
He lost his baseball scholarship as a result. But he turned the page by enrolling in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he learned painting.
His First Son Died as an Infant
Another sad phase in his life was the loss of his first son in the 1950s. Robert Redford’s son, Scott, died after ten weeks from Sudden Infant Death (SID). Redford blamed himself for the death. He believed that the baby wouldn’t have died if he had checked up on him early enough.
Redford’s Almost 30-Year Marriage Crashed
After 30 years of marriage to Scott’s mother, Lola Van Wagenen, the wedding ended in a divorce. The pair, who tied the knot in 1958, had three other kids, Shauna, James, and Amy, after Scott’s death.
The wedding, which was a model for Redford’s industry colleagues at the time, ended in divorce in 1985. Redford later stated that their split was a mutual decision.
Robert Redford’s Other Son Died From Liver Cancer
Redford wasn’t expecting the death of any other of his children. But as fate had it, he was to lose another son, James. James Redford died from liver cancer in October 2020. James was just three years younger than Scott. He passed on at age 58, despite surgeries and other attempts to save his life.
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How Old Is Robert Redford Now?
Robert Redford is 88 years old. He was born on August 18, 1936. After marrying and divorcing Lola Van Wagenen, he married Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. He began his acting career in 1958 and only hung his boots in 2023.
He starred in numerous high-profile and top-grossing movies across his career. These include All the President’s Men in 1976, Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014, and Avengers: Endgame in 2019.
Does Robert Redford Have Any Biological Children?
Robert Redford had four children with his wife, Lola Van Wagenen. They are Scott, Shauna, James, and Amy Redford. Shauna, 62, studied art at the University of Colorado and is married with kids. Amy Redford, 53, studied theater at the San Francisco State University and is also married with kids.
What Disease Does Robert Redford Have?
Currently, there’s no known major disease the actor is suffering from. Aside from the polio he had as a child, he only suffered from a skin ailment during his earlier adulthood. Recently, there were rumors that he lost his leg to an amputation. But the reports turned out to be false.
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