Glenn Close has shared her regret about not pursuing a relationship with Robert Redford early in their careers, calling it a major missed romantic opportunity. She also admitted she now looks back on all three of her marriages with regret.
The 78-year-old Hollywood icon, who hasn’t dated since her divorce a decade ago, famously appeared with Robert Redford in the 1984 film The Natural. She played Iris, the beautiful woman Roy Hobbs, Redford’s character, remembered from his youth.
She recently revealed that she didn’t realize until after filming ended that the movie star, who passed away in September at 89, was attempting to start a romantic relationship with her.
She shared on the Wiser Than Me podcast that after they filmed The Natural, Robert Redford took her to a lovely restaurant for dinner.
I was so naive and uncertain back then, it never even occurred to me that he might have been interested in me. He ended up with Billy [Sibylle Szaggars, his widow], but honestly, I just didn’t understand what was happening at the time. I really didn’t see it coming.
Glenn recently revealed that Robert was the best person she’s ever kissed in a movie or TV show, despite the fact that they only shared one on-screen kiss.
Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE what was going on with Robert Redford while he was making The Natural! He was actually going through a divorce! Apparently, he and Lola Van Wagene, who’s this incredible historian and activist – she was 87 at the time, can you imagine? – had been married since 1958. He was dealing with all that while filming one of the most iconic baseball movies ever! It just makes you appreciate his performance even more, knowing what he was going through personally.
She and her partner had four children: Scott, who sadly passed away as an infant at two and a half months due to SIDS; Shauna, who is an artist; David, who died five years ago after battling cancer; and Amy, who works as an actress, director, and producer.
Following a quiet dinner with Glenn, Robert began a relationship with German artist Sibylle ‘Billy’ Szaggars, who was 68 at the time. They married in 2009 and remained together until his passing.
Looking back on the chance encounter with the famous actor she let slip away, Glenn realized her reaction stemmed from childhood issues with confidence and emotional stability. She felt confused and insecure at the time.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve often seen how impactful our early environments can be. This particular actress, an eight-time Oscar nominee, grew up within a group she now refers to as a ‘cult,’ called Moral Re-Armament. She’s shared that it really hindered her ability to develop emotionally as a child. It was an environment where expressing feelings or even trusting her instincts wasn’t encouraged – in fact, she was taught to suppress them. It’s a powerful reminder of how crucial healthy emotional development is for a fulfilling life.
That, Glenn believes, directly impacted the partners she chose – and the marriages she entered.
She admitted on a podcast Wednesday that all three of her marriages were mistakes. She explained that she lacked a good example of how to build healthy relationships, so she kept trying to find what worked for her through marriage.
‘So I’ve made a lot of mistakes. It was sad that I was so unknowing. I always chose the wrong man.’
She first married musician Cabot Wade in 1969, at the age of 22, but the marriage ended after two years.
In 1984 she married businessman James Marlas, with the couple divorcing in 1987.
Her third and longest marriage, to biotech entrepreneur David Shaw, lasted from 2006 until 2015.
Glenn and producer John Starke had a short-term relationship in the late 1980s, resulting in a daughter, Annie Starke, who is now a 37-year-old actress. They never married.
Annie appeared in the Netflix series Ratched alongside Sarah Paulson and Sharon Stone. She also portrayed a younger version of her mother in the comedy film Father Figures, which starred Owen Wilson and Ed Helms.
She married American tech executive Marc Albu in 2018, and they had a son, Rory, in February.
Glenn mentioned that divorce was common in his family and generation. He’s hopeful that his children have found lasting relationships, and feels fortunate that, so far, they seem to have found their life partners.
I’m glad our experience showed them a different path forward. It’s encouraging to think we helped them realize they could approach things in a new way.
Even though she’s faced hardship herself, Glenn still believes in the value of lasting relationships. She says, ‘Finding a life partner is one of the best things life has to offer, though it’s definitely not always easy.’
She recently shared that she hasn’t been dating for the past ten years, ever since her divorce from David.
She said she’s open to new experiences and feeling good at the moment, but isn’t interested in dating apps – she thinks they’re too chaotic. She also admitted she’s too shy to meet people in person.
She clarified, ‘I’m not actively looking for company. I’m not very outgoing, so I don’t usually rush to go to parties. I’m just fine as I am.’
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2025-12-11 02:36