In 1981, Robert Wagner’s wife, actress Natalie Wood, met a tragic end. Left to raise their children alone, he faced years of grief and unanswered questions. Though shattered by the tragedy, Robert eventually found love again.

Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood’s love story was one for the ages. They first married in 1957, divorced five years later, but found their way back to each other and remarried in 1972. Together, they created a blended family and seemed to have built a life filled with love and success.

Tragically, everything changed one night when Natalie went missing in the ocean. In the wake of her death, Robert was left to raise their children while coping with overwhelming grief. Eventually, he reconnected with an old friend who brought love and stability back into his life.

A Love Story Cut Short: The Tragic Death of Natalie Wood

In the early hours of November 29, 1981, Robert and the crew of his yacht, Splendour, made a distress call: Natalie was missing. The couple had been on the boat near Catalina Island with Captain Dennis Davern and actor Christopher Walken, a friend and co-star of Natalie’s.

Roughly six hours later, the body of the 43-year-old actress was discovered floating in the Pacific Ocean, about a mile from the yacht. She was dressed in a red down jacket, a flannel nightgown, and wool socks.

Nearby, the couple’s dinghy, Prince Valiant, had drifted onto the rocks, its ignition key switched off and its oars secured in place.

News of Natalie’s death sent shockwaves through Hollywood. The acclaimed actress, best known for “West Side Story,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” and “Splendor in the Grass,” had been a beloved star since childhood. “It’s hard to describe the horror of this thing,” said Fred Astaire, a family friend.

Initially, authorities ruled her death an accidental drowning, but speculation persisted. Natalie had a well-known fear of deep water, raising questions about why she would have left the yacht in the middle of the night.

The case remained closed until 2011 when investigators reopened it due to new witness statements. Then, in 2018, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the actor as a “person of interest,” stating that he was the last person to see Natalie alive.

“His version of events just don’t add up,” said Lieutenant John Corina. He also noted that Robert’s account had changed over time. However, Robert has always maintained that Natalie’s death was an accident and has refused to speak with authorities since the case was reopened.

Despite the public scrutiny and personal grief, Robert’s focus remained on his family. As he mourned his wife, he made a life-changing decision about raising their children.

A Devoted Father: Robert Raised Their Children After Natalie’s Death

In the aftermath of Natalie’s passing, the actor focused on keeping their family together. He and Richard Gregson, Natalie’s second husband and the father of her eldest daughter, Natasha, came to an agreement.

Natasha would remain with Robert so she could grow up alongside her sisters, Courtney, his daughter with Natalie, and Katie, his daughter from a previous marriage to Marion Marshall.”We were all so shattered by the loss, and we were hanging on to each other,” Robert recalled years later.

Raising three young girls while mourning his wife was not easy, but Robert was determined to provide them with a stable and loving home. Natasha, who was just 11 when her mother died, has spoken about how Robert became her guiding force.

She affectionately calls him “Daddy Wagner” and credits him with helping her and her sisters navigate life without their mother. As Natasha grew older, she found ways to honor Natalie, including writing a memoir and producing an HBO documentary about her mother’s life.

Though the pain of losing Natalie never faded, Robert and his daughters remained a close-knit family, holding on to the memories they shared. But for Robert, life after Natalie was still filled with sorrow.

For years, his life revolved around his children, and he had no plans to find love again. But just when he least expected it, an old friendship turned into something more.

Finding Love Again: A Friendship That Turned Into Romance

Two months after the tragedy, at a dinner party, Robert, who was 52 at the time, crossed paths with Jill St. John, also an actress, whom he had known for decades. Their connection went back to the 1950s when they were both young actors under contract at 20th Century Fox.

She had also known Natalie since childhood, making their bond even more meaningful. When Jill first reached out to Robert after Natalie’s passing, it was simply to offer condolences. “That was it,” recalled a close friend of Jill’s. “[Robert’ just started calling. They started dating and have been ever since.”

At the time, Robert made it clear he wasn’t looking for marriage, and Jill remained discreet about their relationship. “It’s marvelous to be enjoying a relationship with a friend of 20 years,” she once said. “There is so much trust and understanding.”

Though Robert was still mourning Natalie, his relationship with Jill brought unexpected comfort. Over time, what started as a friendship slowly turned into love. But even as he moved forward, his past was never far from his heart.

The Woman Who Became His Life Partner and His Children’s Stepmother

As Robert and Jill’s bond deepened, she became a steady presence in his life and the lives of his daughters. She didn’t try to replace Natalie but instead stepped into the family with calm understanding. Over time, she became a maternal figure, providing support and stability for Natasha, Courtney, and Katie.

For years, Robert and Jill kept their relationship private, focusing on their family rather than public attention. Then, in 1990, nearly a decade after Natalie’s death, they married. Jill’s presence helped bring a sense of normalcy back to Robert’s life.

She embraced the role of stepmother with care, and his daughters welcomed her into the family. Years later, one of them reflected on their bond, sharing a rare family photo in honor of Robert’s 90th birthday.

“We figured, why not have my dad and Jill in the photo too?” the caption read. “Hope we all get to age as gracefully and joyfully as our dad.”

After years of heartbreak, Robert had found love again, not just in his marriage but in the life he rebuilt with his family. And his devotion to them—both to Natalie’s memory and to the woman who helped him heal—never wavered.

A Love That Stood the Test of Time

More than three decades after their wedding, Robert and Jill remain devoted to each other. Robert has often expressed his gratitude for Jill, celebrating their anniversaries and milestones with heartfelt messages.

“Today marks 34 years of sharing my life with the most incredible woman,” Robert wrote in August 2024, honoring their wedding anniversary. “Over the years, our journey together has been filled with laughter, love, and countless unforgettable memories.”

He has also shared his admiration for Jill on her birthday, calling every day with her a gift. Jill has been by Robert’s side through the years, supporting him as he maintained his close relationship with his daughters and grandchildren.

In a 1987 interview, she revealed that she enjoyed cooking for Robert, focusing on healthy meals. “We do a lot of poached and steamed things, mainly vegetables,” she said. Through the ups and downs, Jill has remained Robert’s rock.

Robert’s Enduring Love for Natalie

Even after finding happiness with Jill, Robert has never stopped honoring Natalie’s memory. Decades after her passing, he continues to pay tribute to her on significant dates, sharing heartfelt messages that reflect how deeply she remains a part of his life.

On what would have been their wedding anniversary in 2024, Robert posted a black-and-white photo from their 1957 wedding, writing, “67 years ago today on December 28, 1957, I married Natalie for the first time. She will always hold a special place in my heart, and I cherish the memories of the life we built together.”

A few weeks earlier, on the anniversary of her death, he shared another tribute. “Remembering Nat today and every day. Her light continues to shine through our children and grandchildren. More than love,” it read.

Robert has also spoken about Natalie in his memoir, “Pieces of My Heart,” which he co-wrote with Scott Eyman. In the book, published in 2008, he reflected on their love story, their marriage, and the night she died.

While the memoir did not reveal any new details about her death, it reaffirmed Robert’s belief that it was a tragic accident. He recalled how writing about Natalie and other defining moments of his life was deeply emotional, explaining that it felt as though each page “took pieces of my heart.”

Natasha has spoken about how her mother’s legacy still resonates and how people continue to feel connected to her. “It’s just unbelievable that there’s a relevancy to her all these years later,” she marveled in 2024. “And that people really feel that they knew her or that they feel this protectiveness toward her.”

Robert has also shared that, at times, he sees glimpses of Natalie in Natasha. “Sometimes I see the way she moves or the way she walks or laughs, and she just reminds me of Natalie,” he once said. “It’s not a continuous thing, just a moment, a turn, her hair, some kind of look. It’s quite extraordinary.”

At 95, Robert Wagner has experienced profound love and heartbreaking loss. He has spent decades cherishing his past with Natalie while embracing the life he built with Jill who is now 86. Through it all, family has remained at the center of his world.