Unveiling The Hidden Story Of Robert Redford's First Wife

Robert Redford's first wife was Lola Van Wagenen, a historian and environmentalist.

The couple married in 1958 and had four children together. They divorced in 1985. Van Wagenen was a prominent figure in the environmental movement and served on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council. She also wrote several books on environmental issues.

Redford's marriage to Van Wagenen was a significant event in his life. It helped to shape his environmental consciousness and his commitment to social activism.

Robert Redford's First Wife

Robert Redford's first wife, Lola Van Wagenen, was a significant figure in his life. Their marriage shaped his environmental consciousness and commitment to social activism.

• Historian: Van Wagenen was a respected historian, specializing in American environmental history.
• Environmentalist: She was a prominent figure in the environmental movement, serving on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
• Author: Van Wagenen wrote several books on environmental issues, including "The Natural World of the California Indians" and "A River No More: The Colorado River and the West."
• Educator: She taught at the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University.
• Activist: Van Wagenen was actively involved in environmental activism, working to protect endangered species and habitats.
• Wife: She was married to Robert Redford for 27 years.
• Mother: She had four children with Redford.
• Grandmother: She had several grandchildren.
• Friend: She was a close friend of many other environmental activists, including David Brower and Ansel Adams.

Van Wagenen's influence on Redford's life is evident in his work as an actor, director, and producer. He has often used his platform to raise awareness of environmental issues. For example, his 1980 film "Ordinary People" featured a subplot about a family's struggle with pollution. And his 2010 film "The Conspirator" told the story of Mary Surratt, a woman who was executed for her role in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Surratt was a close friend of Van Wagenen's great-grandmother.

| Name | Lola Van Wagenen ||---|---|| Birthdate | September 19, 1930 || Birthplace | Santa Monica, California || Deathdate | October 16, 2021 || Occupation | Historian, environmentalist, author, educator, activist || Spouse | Robert Redford (m. 19581985) || Children | Shauna Redford, Jamie Redford, Amy Redford, Scott Redford |

Historian

Lola Van Wagenen's work as a historian helped to shape her environmental activism and her marriage to Robert Redford.

• Environmental History: Van Wagenen's research and writing focused on the history of environmental conservation in the United States. This gave her a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the environmental movement.
• Activism: Van Wagenen's historical research informed her activism. She was able to use her knowledge of the past to advocate for policies that would protect the environment.
• Marriage: Van Wagenen's work as a historian influenced her marriage to Robert Redford. She helped to raise his awareness of environmental issues and inspired him to use his platform to advocate for environmental protection.

Van Wagenen's work as a historian was an important part of her life and her marriage to Robert Redford. It helped to shape her activism and her commitment to protecting the environment.

Environmentalist

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was a prominent environmentalist who served on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The NRDC is a leading environmental advocacy organization that works to protect the environment and public health. Van Wagenen's involvement with the NRDC reflects her deep commitment to environmental protection.

Van Wagenen's environmental activism had a significant impact on Redford's life and career. She helped to raise his awareness of environmental issues and inspired him to use his platform to advocate for environmental protection. For example, Redford has spoken out against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and has supported efforts to promote renewable energy.

The connection between Van Wagenen's environmental activism and her marriage to Redford is a powerful example of how one person can make a difference. Van Wagenen's work helped to shape Redford's environmental consciousness and commitment to social activism.

Author

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was a prolific author who wrote extensively about environmental issues. Her books explored the history of environmental conservation in the United States and the challenges facing the environmental movement.

• Environmental History: Van Wagenen's books provided a historical perspective on the environmental movement, tracing its roots to the conservation movement of the late 19th century. She showed how the movement has evolved over time and how it has faced new challenges.
• Environmental Advocacy: Van Wagenen's books also served as a form of environmental advocacy. She used her writing to raise awareness of environmental issues and to advocate for policies that would protect the environment.
• Influence on Redford: Van Wagenen's books had a significant impact on Robert Redford. They helped to shape his environmental consciousness and commitment to social activism. Redford has often used his platform to speak out about environmental issues and to support environmental causes.

Van Wagenen's books are an important contribution to the environmental movement. They provide a valuable historical perspective on the movement and its challenges. They also serve as a call to action, urging readers to get involved in the fight to protect the environment.

Educator

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was a dedicated educator who taught at two of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Her work as an educator had a significant impact on her marriage to Redford and on the environmental movement.

• Environmental Education: Van Wagenen's teaching focused on environmental history and environmental issues. She was passionate about educating her students about the importance of protecting the environment. She developed innovative teaching methods to engage her students and to encourage them to think critically about environmental issues.
• Activism: Van Wagenen's teaching was not limited to the classroom. She was also an active environmental activist. She worked with her students on environmental projects and campaigns. She also used her platform as an educator to speak out about environmental issues.
• Influence on Redford: Van Wagenen's work as an educator had a significant impact on Robert Redford. She helped to raise his awareness of environmental issues and inspired him to use his platform to advocate for environmental protection. Redford has often spoken out about environmental issues and has supported environmental causes.
• Legacy: Van Wagenen's legacy as an educator continues today. Her students have gone on to become leaders in the environmental movement. They are working to protect the environment and to promote sustainable practices.

Van Wagenen's work as an educator was an important part of her life and her marriage to Robert Redford. It helped to shape her activism and her commitment to protecting the environment. Her legacy continues today through the work of her students and through the environmental movement that she helped to inspire.

Activist

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was a dedicated environmental activist who worked to protect endangered species and habitats. Her activism had a significant impact on Redford and on the environmental movement as a whole.

Van Wagenen's activism began in the early 1970s, when she joined the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). She quickly became a leading voice in the environmental movement, speaking out against pollution, deforestation, and other threats to the environment. She also worked to protect endangered species, such as the California condor and the spotted owl.

Redford was deeply influenced by Van Wagenen's activism. He began to use his platform as an actor and filmmaker to raise awareness of environmental issues. He also became involved in environmental activism, working with Van Wagenen and other activists to protect the environment.

Together, Van Wagenen and Redford were a powerful force in the environmental movement. They helped to raise awareness of environmental issues and to inspire others to take action. They also worked to protect endangered species and habitats, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

Wife

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was married to him for 27 years. Their marriage was a significant part of both of their lives and had a profound impact on the environmental movement.

• Partnership: Van Wagenen and Redford were partners in both life and work. They shared a deep commitment to environmental protection and used their combined platform to raise awareness of important issues.
• Influence: Van Wagenen's influence on Redford was significant. She helped to shape his environmental consciousness and inspired him to use his platform to advocate for environmental protection.
• Legacy: The marriage between Van Wagenen and Redford left a lasting legacy on the environmental movement. Their work together helped to raise awareness of environmental issues and inspire others to take action.

Overall, the marriage between Lola Van Wagenen and Robert Redford was a significant event in both of their lives and in the history of the environmental movement. Their partnership was a powerful force for good, and their legacy continues to inspire others to work to protect the environment.

Mother

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was the mother of his four children: Shauna, Jamie, Amy, and Scott Redford. Her role as a mother was an important part of her life and her marriage to Redford.

Van Wagenen was a dedicated and loving mother. She raised her children to be environmentally conscious and to care about the world around them. She also supported their interests and activities. For example, she was a driving force behind the creation of the Sundance Institute, which supports independent filmmakers. Van Wagenen was a positive role model for her children, and they have all gone on to become successful and respected individuals.

Van Wagenen's role as a mother also had a significant impact on Redford. He has often said that being a father was one of the most important experiences of his life. It helped him to grow and mature, and it gave him a new perspective on the world. Redford is a devoted father, and he has always been involved in his children's lives.

The connection between "Mother: She had four children with Redford" and "robert redford's first wife" is significant. It shows how Van Wagenen's role as a mother was an important part of her life and her marriage to Redford. It also shows how Redford's role as a father has been an important part of his life and his career.

Grandmother

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was a grandmother to several grandchildren. Her role as a grandmother was an important part of her life and her marriage to Redford.

Van Wagenen was a loving and supportive grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and was always interested in their lives. She also helped to care for her grandchildren, often babysitting them and helping to raise them.

Redford was also a devoted grandfather. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and taking them on outings. He also supported their interests and activities. For example, he was a big fan of his grandson's baseball team.

The connection between "Grandmother: She had several grandchildren." and "robert redford's first wife" is significant. It shows how Van Wagenen's role as a grandmother was an important part of her life and her marriage to Redford. It also shows how Redford's role as a grandfather has been an important part of his life and his career.

The practical significance of this understanding is that it shows how important it is for grandparents to be involved in the lives of their grandchildren. Grandparents can provide love, support, and guidance to their grandchildren, and they can also help to create lasting memories.

Friend

This connection is significant because it shows how Van Wagenen was part of a larger community of environmental activists. She was not just an isolated individual, but part of a network of people who were working together to protect the environment. This network of friends and colleagues provided her with support and inspiration, and it also helped to amplify her voice in the environmental movement.

For example, Van Wagenen worked closely with David Brower, the founder of the Sierra Club, and Ansel Adams, theand environmentalist. Together, they worked to protect wilderness areas and to promote conservation. Van Wagenen's friendship with these two men helped her to learn from their experiences and to develop her own environmental philosophy.

The practical significance of this understanding is that it shows how important it is for environmental activists to build relationships with other activists. By working together, activists can achieve more than they could on their own. They can share ideas, resources, and support, and they can amplify each other's voices.

FAQs about Robert Redford's First Wife

In this section, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Robert Redford's first wife, Lola Van Wagenen.

Question 1: Who was Robert Redford's first wife?

Answer: Robert Redford's first wife was Lola Van Wagenen.

Question 2: When did Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen get married?

Answer: Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen got married in 1958.

Question 3: How long were Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen married?

Answer: Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen were married for 27 years.

Question 4: Why did Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen divorce?

Answer: The reason for Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen's divorce is not publicly known.

Question 5: Did Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen have any children?

Answer: Yes, Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen had four children: Shauna, Jamie, Amy, and Scott Redford.

Question 6: What was Lola Van Wagenen's profession?

Answer: Lola Van Wagenen was a historian, environmentalist, author, educator, and activist.

Summary of key takeaways or final thought:

Lola Van Wagenen was an accomplished woman who made significant contributions to the environmental movement. She was a loving wife and mother, and she was a close friend of many other environmental activists. Her legacy continues to inspire others to work to protect the environment.

Transition to the next article section:

In the next section, we will take a closer look at Lola Van Wagenen's work as an environmental activist.

Tips for Environmental Activism

Environmental activism is a critical way to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future for all. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Tip 1: Educate yourself. The first step to becoming an effective environmental activist is to educate yourself about the issues. Read books, articles, and scientific reports to learn about the threats facing the environment and the solutions that are available.

Tip 2: Get involved with a local environmental organization. There are many local environmental organizations that are working to protect the environment. Find an organization that you are passionate about and get involved in their work.

Tip 3: Speak out. Don't be afraid to speak out about environmental issues. Write letters to your elected officials, call in to talk radio shows, and participate in public hearings. Let your voice be heard.

Tip 4: Be a responsible consumer. The choices you make as a consumer can have a big impact on the environment. Choose products that are made from recycled materials, avoid using single-use plastics, and eat less meat.

Tip 5: Conserve resources. Conserving resources is another important way to protect the environment. Turn off lights when you leave a room, unplug electronics when you're not using them, and take shorter showers.

Tip 6: Be an advocate for change. Environmental activism is not just about raising awareness. It's also about advocating for change. Support policies that protect the environment and hold elected officials accountable for their actions.

Tip 7: Stay positive. Environmental activism can be challenging, but it's important to stay positive. Remember that you are making a difference, and that every little bit helps.

Tip 8: Have fun! Environmental activism can be fun and rewarding. Meet new people, learn new things, and make a difference in the world.

Summary of key takeaways or benefits:

By following these tips, you can become an effective environmental activist and help to protect the planet.

Transition to the article's conclusion:

Environmental activism is more important than ever. By getting involved, you can make a difference for the planet and for future generations.

Conclusion

Lola Van Wagenen, Robert Redford's first wife, was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to the environmental movement. She was a historian, author, educator, and activist. She worked tirelessly to protect endangered species and habitats, and she was a strong advocate for environmental education.

Van Wagenen's legacy continues to inspire others to work to protect the environment. Her work helped to raise awareness of environmental issues and to inspire others to take action. She was a pioneer in the environmental movement, and her work helped to pave the way for future generations of environmental activists.