Robert Redford once revealed heartbreaking biggest regret of his life
Legendary actor and Oscar-winning director Robert Redford has passed away at 89. He died peacefully in his sleep at his Utah home near Provo, as confirmed by his publicist. No cause of death has been provided.
Born in 1936, Redford’s early life was marked by struggle. He survived polio as a child and later lost his college scholarship due to heavy drinking. During this time, he worked as a janitor at a Boulder restaurant, a job he remembered fondly throughout his life.
He often credited his mother, Martha Hart, for his resilience. He described her as an adventurous and positive person who always believed in him. Tragically, she died from a hemorrhage at just 40 years old, a loss that deeply affected him.
Redford considered not thanking his mother before her death his greatest regret. He was only 18 when she passed away, just as he had begun college. After losing his scholarship, he traveled through Europe and later studied art in New York.
His life was further marked by profound personal tragedy. His infant son, Scott, died from SIDS. In 2020, he lost his other son, James, to bile-duct cancer.
Despite these hardships, Redford’s creative legacy is immense. He gifted the world unforgettable films and founded the influential Sundance Film Festival, championing independent cinema.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. The world remembers a true Hollywood icon.
