Inside Robert Duvall’s private life – four marriages and dream of children revealed

Robert and Barbara met on the set of 1962’s To Kill A Mockingbird and married in 1964. Although they never welcomed children together, he helped raise her two daughters, Suzan and Nancy, whom she had welcomed in her previous marriage. The couple went their separate ways in 1975.

The Godfather star was married to Gail Youngs between 1982 and 1986, after the pair met through her brother, actor John Savage. Robert and John were working together on the Broadway show American Buffalo in 1977 when he crossed paths with her, “and I fell in love,” Gail told The New York Times.

Years later, she sang her ex-husband’s praises to People, suggesting that their marriage ended on good terms. “Bobby’s a magnificent person on some levels, with more joie de vivre than anyone I know,” she said. “But he’s a tortured soul on other levels. He’s just so driven by his need for perfection.”

Robert’s third wife was dancer Sharon Brophy, whom he met at a tango class in 1986 in NYC. They tied the knot in 1991 at his Virginia home, yet parted ways in 1995 after four years of marriage.

The Apocalypse Now actor met his fourth wife, Luciana, in the late ’90s during a trip to Argentina.

“I met my wife in Argentina. The flower shop was closed, so I went to the bakery. If the flower shop had been open, I never would’ve met her,” he recalled to Esquire.

Luciana is an actress and director, having collaborated with Robert on 2002’s Assassination Tango and 2015’s Wild Horses, both of which her husband directed. She also directed the 2004 film Portrait of Billy Joe. 

Despite their 41-year age gap, Robert shared that their life at home was peaceful and filled with love. He told People that he loved the “day to day with my wonderful wife,” before adding: “She takes care of me, and I have good friends, and try to work out and keep in some kind of shape.”

Luciana announced his death to the world via a social media statement on Monday, February 16.

“Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time,” she wrote. “Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.”

“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything,” she continued. “His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court.”

“For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all. Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind,” Luciana concluded.

Robert never welcomed any kids with his wives, and revealed his thoughts about adoption in a 2007 interview with Details magazine.

“I guess I’m shooting blanks. [I’ve tried] with a lot of different women, in and out of marriage. I thought of adoption, but [my wife and I] haven’t yet,” he said.

Robert did get a taste of fatherhood when he helped to raise Barbara Benjamin’s two young daughters, up until their split in 1975.