Quelques semaines avant sa mort, Robert Redford a révélé ses dernières volontés à Sibylle Szaggars.

Robert Redford, the iconic Hollywood legend, was never just a pretty face on the silver screen. Behind his legendary roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and Out of Africa, there was a man whose life was shaped not only by fame but by profound personal loss, quiet contemplation, and a deep connection to nature. When the world learned of his passing on September 16th, 2025, it was not through the typical media circus that usually follows the death of such a star. Instead, Redford’s departure was as peaceful as the life he had chosen to lead in his later years.

A Final Confession: Redford’s Desire for a Quiet Exit

In his last weeks, Robert Redford opened his heart to those closest to him, especially his wife, Sibil Zaggers. What he shared was not a will filled with the intricacies of his immense fortune or the trademarks of a typical Hollywood star. Instead, Redford’s final wishes were simple, powerful, and deeply human. He asked for peace, not just for himself, but for the world. “Don’t remember me for the rumors,” he said. “Remember me for what I did, the films, the forests, and the values I tried to nurture.”

This request was more than just a wish; it was a legacy, a reminder that Robert Redford was a man who valued authenticity over fame, creativity over commercialism, and nature over the superficial distractions of Hollywood. His death, surrounded by the quiet embrace of the Utah mountains, was a culmination of a life that sought peace, simplicity, and the nurturing of a world that would endure long after the lights of Hollywood had faded.

Redford’s Complex Legacy: More Than Just a Film Star

Redford’s career spanned more than five decades, and throughout it, he amassed accolades that would fill any room. He was not only an A-list actor but also a director, producer, and the founder of the Sundance Film Festival. Yet, despite the glittering exterior, he lived a life that was far from the Hollywood dream. In an industry known for excess, Redford carved out a sanctuary of his own, building a home in the serene mountains of Utah, where he could retreat from the press and the constant glare of fame. It was here, away from the flashing lights of Los Angeles, that Redford spent his final years, not thinking about box office numbers or red carpet events but instead focusing on his family, his environment, and the legacies he wished to leave behind.

The Pain of Loss: Redford’s Firstborn Son

One of the greatest sources of sorrow in Redford’s life was the loss of his firstborn son, who tragically died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome just months after birth. This loss haunted Redford for years, and in his final moments, he still spoke of it with pain. “What would he be like?” Redford often wondered. “Would he walk, smile, look like me or you?” His first child’s absence was a silent grief that never left him, a grief that deepened as he watched his other children grow and thrive. He often reminded them to “Cherish every moment of being alive,” for not everyone is lucky enough to grow up.

This aching sense of loss may have been the reason behind his desire for his children and grandchildren to live a life far removed from the pressures of fame. Redford, who had experienced the harsh side of Hollywood, wanted his family to grow up in peace, surrounded by nature, free from the watchful eyes of the paparazzi. “Live as simple a life as possible,” he would say. And it was this wish that shaped his life, the life of his children, and the legacy he sought to preserve.

Sundance: More Than Just a Film Festival

The Sundance Film Festival, which Redford founded in 1981, became one of the most important institutions for independent filmmakers in the world. Yet, to Redford, it was not just a platform for showcasing films—it was a spiritual child, one that he hoped would remain pure, untarnished by the forces of commercialism. He feared that one day, Sundance would become just another Hollywood cash cow, focused more on box office sales than artistic integrity.

In his final days, Redford’s concerns about the future of Sundance were clear. “Sundance is not mine. It belongs to the young artists,” he often said. He wanted to protect the festival’s soul, ensuring that it remained a space where creativity and passion took precedence over profit. And even in death, Redford’s influence over Sundance continues, shaping the festival into a beacon of hope for aspiring filmmakers who dare to dream outside the mainstream.

A Legacy of Conservation and Nature

One of the most significant aspects of Redford’s life was his commitment to preserving the natural world. Long before it was fashionable, Redford was an advocate for environmental conservation. He owned thousands of acres of land in Utah, which he worked tirelessly to protect. In 2020, he placed 360 acres of land at Elk Meadows under a conservation easement to preserve wetlands, grasslands, and wildlife habitats. His efforts were not only about preserving the land but about protecting the very essence of what it meant to be human—to live in harmony with nature.

Redford’s wish to protect the environment was not limited to his personal land holdings. He also used his voice and platform to champion causes related to clean energy, advocating for solar power long before it became a mainstream issue. In the 1970s, when the world was still skeptical of alternative energy, Redford was already speaking out about the importance of solar power. He even produced a short film on solar energy with legendary designer Saul Bass, pushing the message of renewable energy to audiences who were not yet ready to listen.

The Silent Strength of Sibil Zaggers

Throughout his life, Redford was never alone in his journey. His wife, Sibil Zaggers, was his constant companion, anchor, and confidant. A German-born artist, Sibil shared Redford’s deep love for nature and the environment, and it was this shared passion that brought them together. Unlike many Hollywood marriages, Redford and Zaggers’ relationship was grounded in simplicity and mutual respect. They married quietly in 2009, far from the public eye, in a private ceremony in Germany.

Sibil was not only Redford’s partner in life but also in his social and artistic endeavors. She joined him in his environmental work, contributing to the Redford Center, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental issues. Together, they worked on initiatives that focused on the intersection of art and nature, using their platform to speak out against climate change and environmental destruction. Through her own art, Sibil used color and form to raise awareness about the fragility of the earth, creating multimedia exhibitions that warned of the dangers of human impact on nature.

A Final Wish for Peace

As Robert Redford left this world, it was not with a sense of fanfare or media frenzy. His final wish was for peace, not just in his own life but for the world as a whole. He wanted his legacy to be one of kindness, authenticity, and love for the planet. He wanted to be remembered for the films he created, the mountains he protected, and the values he instilled in his family.

When Redford passed away, the world lost more than just an actor. It lost a moral compass, a champion for the environment, and a man who lived his life with integrity and passion. But perhaps the greatest tribute to Redford is not in the films he made or the land he protected. It is in the simple yet profound way he lived—a life grounded in authenticity, love, and a deep respect for the world around him.

In the end, Robert Redford’s legacy will endure, not because of the fame he achieved but because of the quiet strength with which he lived, the love he shared, and the world he sought to protect.