For decades, the health of the “Sundance Kid” has been a topic of public fascination. If you are searching for what disease does Robert Redford have, the answer is more nuanced than a single diagnosis. While he faced a significant health battle with childhood polio that shaped his life.
The legendary actor reached the age of 89 without a major chronic illness before passing away peacefully in late 2025. Despite various rumors circulating in late 2024 and throughout 2025, there was no secret “hidden disease” or sudden medical crisis that took him from the world.
The Truth About What Disease Does Robert Redford Have and Cause of Death
Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his beloved ranch in Sundance, Utah. At 89 years old, his death was officially attributed to natural causes. His longtime publicist, Cindi Berger, confirmed that he died “peacefully in his sleep,” surrounded by his family in the mountains he spent decades protecting.
Despite various rumors circulating in 2024 and 2025, there was no secret “hidden disease” or sudden medical crisis. His passing marked the end of a six-decade career defined by vitality and an intense connection to the outdoors. His health journey was less about a single disease and more about a lifelong commitment to physical resilience.
In his final years, Redford had withdrawn from the Hollywood spotlight. He focused his remaining energy on the Sundance Institute and his environmental non-profit, The Way of the Rain. This transition led some to speculate about his well-being, but his family confirmed he remained mentally sharp and active until his final days.
Robert Redford’s Early Health Battle: Childhood Polio
The most documented medical condition Robert Redford ever faced occurred long before his Hollywood stardom. At the age of 11, Redford contracted a mild case of polio during an epidemic in 1947. This was a terrifying era for children before the discovery of the Salk vaccine.
During this ordeal, the future star was forced to spend two weeks in bed, a significant amount of time for a child known for his athletic nature. While it was not a severe case that required an iron lung, the experience left a permanent mark on his psyche. He often spoke about how it made him appreciate the fragility of health and the importance of physical freedom.
Decades later, Redford used his platform to advocate for medical science, even directing a documentary segment about Jonas Salk. He described the invention of the polio vaccine as “earth-shattering news” that lifted a shadow of fear from his generation. His early encounter with this disease is likely what drove his obsession with staying fit well into his 80s.
Debunking the Rumors: Parkinson’s and Skin Cancer
Because Redford was such a private individual, the vacuum of information often filled with speculation. Two common queries often appear alongside the question of what disease does Robert Redford have: Parkinson’s disease and skin cancer.
| Rumor | Reality | Evidence |
| Parkinson’s Disease | False | Speculation arose from a slight hand tremor seen in 2023. No diagnosis was ever confirmed by his medical team. |
| Skin Cancer | Unconfirmed | Rumors persisted due to his “tousled-haired, freckled” appearance and decades spent in the Utah sun. |
| Stroke | False | Speculation began after his retirement announcement in 2018, but he remained active in Utah for years after. |
His “weathered” look in later years was a point of pride for the actor. Unlike many of his peers, Redford famously avoided plastic surgery, choosing to let the “map of his life” show on his face. He attributed his appearance to a life lived outdoors in the high-altitude sun of Provo, Utah, rather than a specific medical condition.
The “Redford Family Curse”: A Source of Confusion
Much of the confusion regarding Robert Redford’s health actually stems from the tragic medical histories of his children. Many searchers asking about what disease does Robert Redford have are inadvertently looking for information on his sons, James and Scott.
His son, James Redford, passed away in 2020 at the age of 58 after a long and courageous battle with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Bile Duct Cancer. James had undergone two liver transplants throughout his life. Because father and son shared a name and a passion for activism, their medical records are often conflated in online searches.
Additionally, Redford’s firstborn son, Scott Anthony Redford, died in 1959 at just 10 weeks old. The cause was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). These family tragedies were deeply private for Redford, but they significantly impacted his health philosophy. He became a man who valued every day of health, knowing how quickly it could be taken away.
Lifestyle as Medicine: How He Reached Age 89
Robert Redford was a firm believer that lifestyle was the best defense against disease. Even after his retirement in 2018 following his final role in The Old Man & the Gun, he remained a fixture in the Utah mountains. His “User-First” approach to his own body was simple: stay moving.
His daily routine involved hiking, horse riding, and environmental work. He was a longtime trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council and advocated for clean air and water, believing that environmental health was inseparable from human health. This holistic view of well-being allowed him to maintain a level of mental health and physical strength that was rare for his age.
“Facing down fears hit home early… You have two choices. You can be led by your fears, or you can overcome them.” — Robert Redford
This mindset allowed him to transcend the “male starlet” image of his youth. He grew into a “godfather of independent cinema,” ensuring his legacy through the Sundance Film Festival rather than focusing on the physical decline that often accompanies aging in Hollywood.
Summary of Robert Redford’s Health Timeline
- 1947: Contracted a mild case of polio at age 11; recovered after two weeks of bed rest.
- 1959: Suffered the loss of his first son, Scott, to SIDS.
- 2018: Announced his formal retirement from acting to focus on directing and family.
- 2020: Lost his son James to bile duct cancer, sparking renewed interest in the family’s health history.
- 2024: Offloaded his final California properties to live full-time in the Sundance, Utah mountains.
- September 16, 2025: Passed away at age 89 from natural causes.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience
When answering what disease does Robert Redford have, it is clear that his life was defined by resilience rather than illness. From surviving a polio epidemic as a child to navigating the heartbreaking loss of his sons, Redford remained a pillar of strength. He didn’t just age; he matured with a grace that avoided the chronic diseases often associated with a Hollywood lifestyle.
Today, his legacy lives on through his daughters, Shauna and Amy Redford, and the thousands of independent filmmakers supported by the Sundance Institute. He proved that a life dedicated to passion, nature, and family is the most potent medicine of all.
FAQs About What Disease Does Robert Redford Have
Did Robert Redford have a liver transplant?
No. It was his son, James Redford, who underwent two liver transplants due to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). Robert Redford himself never had a liver transplant or chronic liver disease.
Was Robert Redford ever diagnosed with cancer?
There is no public record or official statement confirming that Robert Redford had cancer. Rumors regarding skin cancer were common due to his sun-damaged skin, but he never confirmed such a diagnosis.
Why did people think Robert Redford had Parkinson’s?
Speculation began after a minor hand tremor was noticed during a 2023 public appearance. However, no diagnosis was ever released, as such tremors are common and often harmless in individuals in their late 80s.
How did Robert Redford stay so healthy for so long?
He credited his longevity to a life lived in the Utah mountains, a lack of cosmetic surgeries, and staying engaged with work that mattered to him, such as environmental activism and supporting independent film.
Is the Sundance Film Festival still continuing?
Yes. The 2026 Sundance Film Festival was held in January 2026 as a tribute to Redford’s vision. It remains the premier platform for independent cinema, exactly as he intended when he founded the institute in 1981.
What was Robert Redford’s specific diet for longevity?
Redford followed a balanced, mostly pescatarian diet focused on whole foods and lean proteins. He avoided processed sugars and prioritized hydration to maintain his energy levels during his outdoor activities in Utah.
How did horse riding contribute to his physical health?
Horse riding was essential for his core strength and balance, helping him stay physically resilient into his late 80s. It provided a low-impact way to maintain joint mobility without the strain of high-impact gym workouts.
Disclaimer: The content on Wellbeingdrive is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for health concerns.
