Lola Van Wagenen: Robert Redford, Activism & Net Worth
Lola Van Wagenen is an international historian and activist from the United States. She is also the co-founder of two non-governmental organizations.
Moreover, Lola has given so much in the pursuit of historical education. Over the years, she has been an activist for people through her two organizations.
Additionally, Van Wagenen rose to prominence following her marriage to actor and producer Robert Redford.
The article discusses her personal life, career, her ex-husband Robert Redford, social media, and the net worth of Lola Van Wagenen.
Quick Facts
Here are some quick facts about Lola Van Wagenen:
| Full Name | Lola Jean Van Wagenen |
| Birth Date | December 12, 1938 |
| Place of birth | Provo, Utah, United States of America |
| Residence | Provo, Utah, United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Nickname | Not Available |
| Hobbies | History |
| Education | Vermont College of Fine Arts |
| Graduate | New York University |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Father’s Name | Frank Afton Van Wagenen |
| Mother’s Name | Phyllis Van Wagenen |
| Siblings | Frank Bruce Van Wagenen |
| Age | 85 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Reach | Not Available |
| Weight | 88 kg (194 pounds) |
| Eye Color | Not Available |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Profession | Former Historian and Activist |
| Partner | Robert Redford (1958 – 1985) George Burrill (m 2002) |
| Children | Amy, James, Scott, and Shauna Redford |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Social Media | Not Active |
| Last Update | April, 2024 |
Lola Van Wagenen: Age, Height, and Weight
The 85 years old historian’s height is 5 feet and 8 inches.
In addition, Lola weighs about 88 kilograms or 194 pounds. Furthermore, she was born in December, making her zodiac Sagittarius.
In addition, Carnation is the official flower of Sagittarius. People with zodiac Sagittarius tend to be loyal, intelligent, assertive, and compassionate.
Furthermore, they are one-of-a-kind, gifted, and have exceptional discernment.
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Lola Van Wagenen: Personal Life
Lola Van Wagenen is a historian who was born in Provo, Utah, in December 1938. However, she is most well-known as the ex-wife of actor Robert Redford.
Moreover, her father’s name is Frank Afton Van Wagenen, and her mother is Phyllis Van Wagenen.
In addition, Lola also has a brother named Frank Bruce Van Wagenen. However, detailed information about her parents or siblings is not available.
Lola is from a Mormon family. However, she did start exploring other religions in her life due to her curiosity.
Moreover, Van Wagenen has been interested in social issues since she was a child.
Lola has worked with a variety of non-profit organizations. Some of the organizations include the Vermont Historical Society and Shelburne Farms.
Education
Van Wagenen attended Vermont College after graduating from high school in the late 1970s.
Furthermore, just a few years after her divorce from Robert Redford, she enrolled at New York University (NYU) for her Master’s degree in Public History.
In addition, she has also finished her Ph.D.
Her dissertation entitled, “Sister-Wives and Suffragists: Polygamy and the Politics of Woman Suffrage 1870-1896,” was a successful paper.
In addition, it was also published as a book.
Relationship and Marriage
Robert Redford
Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen met in Los Angeles when he was 20, and she was 17. The couple eloped in Utah shortly after, in 1958.
Furthermore, the couple allegedly met in California, where they both lived in the same apartment building.
He was a struggling young visual artist who was unknown.
Furthermore, reportedly, then 19 Lola dropped out of college and moved to New York City with Redford.
Scott, the couple’s first child, was born in September 1959.
Unfortunately, Redford and Van Wagenen were married for only a year when tragedy struck.
Sadly, their infant son died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) that same year.
They had three more children: daughters Shauna and Amy and a son, James, who died of liver cancer in 2020.
George Burrill
On July 27, 2002, Van Wagenen married George Burrill for the second time. They also married in Shelburne, Vermont.
Despite having been married for two decades, Lola and George have never had children.
Furthermore, unlike Robert and Lola’s marriage, her second marriage has not been widely publicized.
As a result of her divorce, she faded from public view.
However, it is known that her second husband, Mr. Burrill, is a New Zealander who served as Vermont’s Honorary Consul.
George also served as President of the Burlington-based Associates in Rural Development, according to reports.
Divorce
Robert was only 22 years old and had only $300 in his bank account when he married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958.
Furthermore, Lola’s ex-husband has always been fiercely protective of his privacy.
Even though he and Lola divorced in 1985, the divorce was made public ten years later.
According to Robert, the couple’s split was mutual. Moreover, Lola and Robert still have “great love, great affection, and great friendship” for one another.
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Who is Robert Redford?
Robert Redford, Lola Van Wagenen’s first husband, was born on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California.
Furthermore, Robert Redford has established himself as one of the great talents in American cinema.
Redford was also instrumental in establishing the Sundance Film Festival, which has become one of the most prestigious events in the film industry.
Following his early struggles in the industry, he starred with Paul Newman, which proved to be a watershed moment in his career.
Furthermore, he appeared in the hugely popular comic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Similarly, he has also acted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, A Ghost Story, Avengers: Endgame, and The Old Man & the Gun.
The film was the year’s highest-grossing film, and Redford quickly established himself as one of Hollywood’s most popular and bankable stars.
As previously stated, Robert married Lola Van Wagenen, his first wife, who dropped out of college to marry the actor in 1958. However, the couple divorced in 1985.
Moreover, Robert appeared to have found love again in July 2009, when he married his second wife and longtime partner, Sibylle Szaggars.
Lola Van Wagenen: Career
Company
Lola co-founded the company Clio Visualizing History with fellow historian Jeanne Houck after completing extensive studies in American history.
The company was founded to attract a larger audience interested in learning about the country’s history.
Moreover, her ambition led her to documentary work, where she produced “Miss America: A Documentary Film.”
The National Endowment for the Humanities provided funding for the film. Following that effort, she sought additional financing.
Lola started proposing other historical films. However, the majority of them were shelved due to a lack of support.
Furthermore, she began doing production and research for other companies to help get the company off the ground.
The historian partnered with The Asia Society, City, Lore, and McGraw Hill.
Unfortunately, her business partner, Houck, left the company in 2003. Lola, on the other hand, decided to make Clio a non-profit organization.
In addition, she also focuses on historical events and the feminist movement.
Writing
Lola is a skilled writer in addition to running a business. Her dedication and hard work during her academic career are commendable.
Lola went on to work on various scholarship boards.
Her dissertation was also published as a book, as previously stated. Moreover, the book was published in 2002 and got a significant amount of fame.
Movies
“Quilts as Visual History” and “Lowell Thomas and Lawrence of Arabia: Making a Legend, Creating History” are two of Lola’s works.
She has also contributed to films such as “The State of Marriage” and “Lowell Thomas: American Storyteller.”
Lola Van Wagenen: Activism
Van Wagenen also co-founded Consumer Action Now (CAN), a non-profit educational organization in New York City.
She served as co-chair for ten years. Furthermore, CAN also established several consumer-oriented and environmental education programs.
Moreover, the company’s goal was to show consumers how their purchasing habits affected the environment.
Additionally, she also promoted CAN’s goals through a series of public speaking engagements.
The activist also founded the Environmental Action Forum. Moreover, the organization; the main motive was a gathering of consumers and environmental activists in 1972.
Betty Furness, on the other hand, hosted the event. Moreover, speakers from a variety of environmental and civic organizations were also present.
From 1970 to 1973, the CAN Newsletter was published monthly, with each issue covering a different consumer education topic.
In addition, Van Wagenen contributed articles or researched each issue.
Lola created The Sun Fund from 1975 to 1977 to raise awareness of energy conservation and alternative energy sources.
Additionally, she also founded “Sun Day” in New York in 1978.
Moreover, it was a three-day nationally televised educational and environmental celebration. Furthermore, it started with a sunrise ceremony at the United Nations.
Van Wagenen also ran the Women’s Energy Education Project in 1979 and 1980.
Moreover, Lola collaborated with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure the project’s success.
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Lola Van Wagenen: Awards
Numerous organizations have commended her efforts to conserve energy and increase the use of renewable energy resources.
In addition, Pratt Institute also recognized her efforts with an honorary doctorate in Science from Pratt Institute.
Furthermore, Lola’s most outstanding achievement was assisting public school children in understanding diversity in American history.
Lola Van Wagenen: Net Worth
The 85 years old Lola Van Wagenen has an estimated net worth of about $2 million, owing mainly to her success as a historian.
Moreover, when the couple was together, Robert had a net worth of over $170 million. Furthermore, she may have benefited from their divorce settlement.
In addition, she has also managed to earn from her writing career.
Lola Van Wagenen: Social Media
The 85 years old isn’t available on any social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Lola Van Wagenen’s child have an improper birth?
Lola had a hard time delivering her second child, James. In addition, she gave birth seven weeks before the due date.
Furthermore, his illness became more dangerous as he grew older. Moreover, he had two liver transplant surgeries as well as the removal of his colon.
Was Lola Van Wagenen’s ex-husband an alcoholic?
Lola’s ex-husband Robert was an alcoholic when he met her. Furthermore, he is clean and sober now.
Moreover, Lola came as a guardian angel for him at that time.
How many children and grandchildren does Lola Van Wagenen have?
Lola has five grandchildren, one of whom is well-known actor Dylan Radford. Furthermore, she had four children during her 20-year marriage.
Where did Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen get married?
Robert Redford and Lola Van Wagenen tied the knot in 1958. Furthermore, they got married in Lola’s grandmother’s home.
