Robert Wagner, the handsome face behind popular TV series of the 1970s and 1980s such as It Takes a Thief, Switch, and Hart to Hart, has been a legendary figure in Hollywood. Having shared the screen with icons like Raquel Welch, Paul Newman, and Debbie Reynolds, Wagner’s career has been filled with success and fame. But it was his relationship with the stunning Natalie Wood that captured the world’s attention.
Wood, known for her roles as a child actress in movies like Miracle on 34th Street, first met Wagner when she was just 10 years old. In an interview with People magazine in 1976, Wood revealed, “I was 10 and he was 18 when I first saw him walking down a hall at 20th Century Fox. I turned to my mother and said, ‘I’m going to marry him.’” And indeed, she did. The couple married in 1957, divorced in 1962, and then remarried in 1972 after a 10-year separation.
Their love story was not without its challenges, as both Wagner and Wood had children with their previous spouses. Wagner had a daughter named Katie with Marion Mitchell, while Wood shared a daughter named Natasha with producer Richard Gregson. Despite their pasts, Wagner and Wood never stopped loving each other. They reconnected and found their way back to one another, ultimately raising a daughter named Courtney who was born in 1974.
Tragedy struck on November 28, 1981, when Wood drowned under mysterious circumstances after an evening on a yacht with Wagner and actor Christopher Walken. Her death has remained a mystery, and Wagner, devastated by the loss, became the legal guardian of Natasha, who was just 11 years old at the time.
Natasha Gregson Wagner, now a 52-year-old actor and fiercely protective of her dad, has spent years helping to clear her father’s name amidst the speculation surrounding Wood’s death. In the 2020 HBO documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, which she co-produced, Natasha finally opened up about the pain her family has endured. “For so many years we were advised to ignore or not talk about it,” she explained. “But enough is enough. I know that if my mom had been in any kind of distress, he would have given his life for her.”
Wagner, who is now 93 years old, has faced countless scrutiny over the years but remains devoted to his children and grandchildren. His love and commitment to his family are evident in his social media presence, where he frequently shares heartfelt photos and messages. On Father’s Day, he posted a picture of himself surrounded by his children and grandchildren, expressing his gratitude for being a father and grandfather to such incredible people.
Despite the tragedy that has marked their lives, Wagner’s love for Natalie Wood is unwavering. He continues to honor her memory with touching posts on Instagram, including a recent wedding photo with the caption, “Natalie was my girl and then she was my wife. Happy 65th anniversary, Nat. More than love.”
The enduring love story of Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood has captivated the public for decades. What are your thoughts on this iconic Hollywood couple?
