The world knew Robert Redford as one of Hollywood’s greatest icons — a man who lit up the screen in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and The Horse Whisperer. But to his grandchildren, he was simply “Grandpa.” This week, in the wake of his passing at 89, his family has opened their hearts with never-before-seen photos and emotional messages that reveal a tender side of the legendary actor the public rarely saw.
“Rest in Peace, Grandpa”
On Instagram, Conor Schlosser, son of Redford’s eldest daughter Shauna, shared a carousel of intimate family moments with the Oscar-winning actor. In one photo, a young Conor sits proudly on a horse with his grandfather. In another, the two laugh together while opening Christmas presents, the ordinary joy of family life captured forever. More recent snapshots show them sitting at a dinner table, Conor’s arm wrapped lovingly around Redford.
“He was larger than life to the world, but to his family, he was simply that… family. Rest in peace, Grandpa. 🐎” Conor wrote. He invited fans and friends to share their own stories of the actor, hoping to collect memories that honor the many lives Redford touched.
Lena and Dylan’s Memories
Redford’s granddaughter Lena Redford, daughter of his late son James, also took to Instagram, posting throwback pictures of her and her grandfather with nothing more than a heart emoji: ❤️. The simplicity said it all — love that doesn’t need words.
Her brother Dylan Redford echoed those feelings, writing on his Instagram Stories that Robert was the “best grampa a grandson could ask for.” He added, “He also made amazing things, helped others make amazing things, and tried to make the world a better place.”
A Life Well Lived
On Tuesday, Redford’s spokesperson confirmed the heartbreaking news: “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
According to The New York Times, the actor died peacefully in his sleep. Though his official cause of death has not yet been disclosed, the announcement has brought an outpouring of tributes from around the world.
A Family’s Strength
Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, whom he married in 2009, two daughters — Shauna, 64, and Amy, 54 — and seven grandchildren. He also shared two sons with his first wife, Lola Van Wagenen: Scott, who tragically died as an infant, and James, who passed away from liver cancer in 2020. These losses shaped him deeply, and friends often remarked that his devotion to his surviving children and grandchildren only grew stronger with time.
Beyond the Screen
For millions of fans, Robert Redford will be remembered as the golden-haired cowboy of Sundance Kid, the brilliant conman of The Sting, and the visionary behind the Sundance Film Festival. But the tributes from his grandchildren remind us of something even more enduring — that behind the fame, he was a man devoted to family, love, and creating beauty in the world.
A Legacy of Love and Art
As photos of him with his grandchildren spread across social media, fans from around the world joined in mourning, sharing their own stories of how his films touched their lives. But it is the quiet moments — sitting at a dinner table, riding a horse, unwrapping gifts at Christmas — that capture the essence of the man his family knew.
For his grandchildren, Robert Redford will never just be a Hollywood icon. He will always be the gentle, loving grandfather who held them close, made them laugh, and left behind a legacy far richer than fame: a legacy of love.
