Sibylle Szaggars is best known as the wife of legendary actor and filmmaker Robert Redford, but she is far more than just a famous spouse. Born in Hamburg, Germany, she has built a long career as a respected multimedia environmental artist. Her art speaks about the beauty of nature and the need to protect it. Over the years, she has mixed painting, photography, film, dance, and performance to deliver powerful messages.
Quick Bio Table of Sibylle Szaggars
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sibylle Szaggars Redford |
| Date of Birth | April 9, 1957 |
| Birthplace | Hamburg, Germany |
| Age (2025) | 68 years old |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Multimedia Environmental Artist |
| Known For | Rain Paintings, The Way of the Rain |
| Spouse | Robert Redford (m. 2009–2025) |
| Children | Stepchildren: Shauna, Amy, Jamie |
| Famous Project | The Way of the Rain (2013–present) |
| Wedding | July 2009, Hamburg, Germany |
| Current Residence | Utah, USA |
| Major Themes in Art | Nature, Climate, Environment |
Early Life and Background
Sibylle Szaggars was born on April 9, 1957 in Hamburg. Growing up in Germany, she developed a love for nature and the arts. During the 1980s, she lived in London where she started to experiment with her creative work. Later, she moved to the United States and built her art studio in Utah, near the famous Sundance Mountain Resort. This move not only helped her career but also changed her life forever.
Meeting Robert Redford
The story of Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars began in 1996 when they met at Sundance. She came for a visit and stayed in the area, where their paths crossed. Unlike many others, she did not know much about Redford’s film career, which he liked. Their connection grew slowly, built on shared values of nature, art, and respect. From then on, their relationship developed into a long-lasting partnership.
A Special Wedding
After more than ten years together, Redford wedding Sibylle Szaggars became a big event in July 2009. The ceremony was held at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany, attended by close friends and family. Around 30 guests joined to celebrate. Redford wore a white suit, while Szaggars chose a champagne-colored gown. This intimate wedding Sibylle Szaggars shared with Robert Redford marked the beginning of their married life.
Children and Family Life
Many wonder about Sibylle Szaggars children, but she and Redford did not have kids together. Still, she became a loving stepmother to Redford’s children from his first marriage: Shauna, Amy, and James “Jamie” Redford. Sadly, Robert’s first son, Scott, passed away as an infant in 1959. Later, in 2020, Jamie also died at the age of 58. These family experiences shaped their life as a couple.
Art Career and Rain Paintings
The career of Sibylle Szaggars has always been about blending art with the natural world. One of her most famous projects is her rain paintings, where she places watercolor pigments on paper and lets rainfall create the final design. She began this style while living in the Southwest of the U.S., letting the desert monsoon rains become her co-artist. This unique method shows her belief that nature itself is part of the creative process.
The Way of the Rain Project
In 2013, Sibylle Szaggars launched The Way of the Rain, a stage performance that mixes film, dance, music, spoken word, and large silks painted with rain. In 2015, she created The Way of the Rain nonprofit to expand the project and raise awareness about climate change. Robert Redford often narrated in these shows, helping bring her vision to life. Together, they used art and fame to talk about the urgent need to protect the planet.
Key Performances Around the World
Through The Way of the Rain, Sibylle Szaggars has brought performances to many countries. In 2021, Monaco hosted the world premiere of The Way of the Rain | Hope for Earth. In 2022, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presented the U.S. premiere. In 2024, the project appeared at the Nobel Peace Laureates World Summit, and in 2025, it was part of Earth Day celebrations. These events show her dedication to sharing art with an environmental purpose.
Life With Robert Redford
The partnership between Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars was not just romantic but also professional. Redford, known for films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President’s Men, supported her projects as much as she supported his. Even though people often focused on Redford’s movie career, Szaggars created her own identity as a global artist. Their shared values built a strong foundation for their marriage.
Sibylle Szaggars in the 1990s and Beyond
In the 1990s, Sibylle Szaggars was already experimenting with mixed media. Her 1996 meeting with Redford shaped the next chapter of her life. She worked on projects that included photography, oil painting, and stage performance. By the 2000s, she had developed a reputation as an artist who uses nature as her main tool. Her work traveled to Europe, South America, and Asia, expanding her global presence.
The Legacy of Her Art
Today, Sibylle Szaggars is seen as a leader in environmental art. Her rain paintings and stage works highlight the beauty of Earth while also reminding people about its fragility. She has shown her art in countries like Japan, Peru, and Suriname, where one of her series is on permanent display at the U.S. Embassy. Her art is not just for galleries; it is also meant to inspire action.
Sibylle Szaggars in 2024 and 2025
In 2024, Sibylle Szaggars continued presenting new versions of The Way of the Rain, keeping the focus on climate and culture. By 2025, she marked Earth Day with another special show, proving her dedication has not faded. Sadly, that same year, her husband Robert Redford passed away at age 89 at their home in Utah. She stood as his widow, but also as an independent artist who will continue his legacy of love for the environment.
Young Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars
People often search for Sibylle Szaggars young or young Robert Redford, curious about their past. Redford, once Hollywood’s golden boy, starred in hit films across the 1960s and 70s. Szaggars, young and ambitious, was building her art path in Europe. When they came together in the 1990s, it was not about fame, but about shared passions. Their relationship proved strong despite age differences and outside attention.
What People Ask Most
Fans often ask: How did Robert Redford meet Sibylle Szaggars? The answer is Sundance in 1996. Others ask: Did they have kids? No, but she is stepmother to his children. Where was the wedding? It happened in Hamburg in 2009, with wedding photos Redford wedding Sibylle Szaggars still remembered today. These simple facts show the curiosity people have about her personal life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Sibylle Szaggars?
She is a German-born environmental artist and the wife of actor Robert Redford.
Q2: When did Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars marry?
They married in July 2009 at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Hamburg, Germany.
Q3: Did Sibylle Szaggars have children with Robert Redford?
No, but she became a stepmother to Redford’s three children from his first marriage.
Q4: What is The Way of the Rain?
It is a nonprofit project by Sibylle Szaggars, blending art, music, and film to promote environmental awareness.
Q5: How did Sibylle Szaggars and Robert Redford meet?
They first met in 1996 at Redford’s Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah.
Final Thoughts on Sibylle Szaggars
The story of Sibylle Szaggars is one of art, love, and purpose. From her German roots to her career in Utah, from her rain paintings to The Way of the Rain, and from her marriage to Robert Redford to her independent identity as an artist, her journey is inspiring. She teaches that creativity and nature belong together, and that art can be a voice for change. Her life continues to influence both the art world and environmental action.
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