Showbiz

Robert Duvalls Unfulfilled Dream of Fatherhood

Bintano News Desk
2/16/2026
Robert Duvalls Unfulfilled Dream of Fatherhood

Robert Duvall was married four times but never became a father despite the want to be a parent.

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The acting legend died at 95 on Sunday as he is only survived by his current wife Luciana Pedraza, 54, who is over four decades his junior.

His passing was announced on Monday by his widow via Facebook as she shared he died 'peacefully at home' on February 15. 

Duvall was known for starring in a number of critically-acclaimed projects over the span of his Hollywood career including The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. 

Nearly two decades ago, Duvall candidly spoke about never becoming a dad as he said: 'I guess I'm shooting blanks.'

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'(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 told Details magazine in an April 2007 issue according to Today.

Robert Duvall was married four times but never became a father despite the want to be a parent (he is seen with wife Luciana Pedraza in January 2015)

Robert Duvall was married four times but never became a father despite the want to be a parent (he is seen with wife Luciana Pedraza in January 2015)

In the same issue, Duvall also talked about meeting the father of his wife and things got a bit awkward due to their four decade age gap.

He said: 'When I met (my wife’s) father, I don’t know whether to call you "father" or "son"!' 

Pedraza announced the news on Monday morning via Facebook as she wrote: 'Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.'

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She added, 'To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything. 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.'

Meanwhile, she had also shared a poignant final birthday tribute to the actor only weeks before his death. 

Last month on January 5, the late actor celebrated his 95th birthday and had received a loving video tribute from his wife to ring in the special milestone. 

The montage included photos from his early childhood before jumping to current day which showed him nibbling on a sugary cookie outdoors. 

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The acting legend died at 95 on Sunday as he is only survived by his current wife Luciana Pedraza, 54, who is over four decades his junior (the two are pictured in September 2003)

The acting legend died at 95 on Sunday as he is only survived by his current wife Luciana Pedraza, 54, who is over four decades his junior (the two are pictured in September 2003)

His passing was announced on Monday by his widow via Facebook as she shared he died 'peacefully at home' on February 15 (Duvall is seen in 1993)

His passing was announced on Monday by his widow via Facebook as she shared he died 'peacefully at home' on February 15 (Duvall is seen in 1993)

Nearly two decades ago, Duvall candidly spoke about never becoming a dad as he said: 'I guess I'm shooting blanks' (Duvall and Pedraza are seen March 2003)

Nearly two decades ago, Duvall candidly spoke about never becoming a dad as he said: 'I guess I'm shooting blanks' (Duvall and Pedraza are seen March 2003)

The two even worked together as Duvall produced, directed, and acted alongside her in 2002 flick Assassination Tango which was filmed mostly in Buenos Aires

The two even worked together as Duvall produced, directed, and acted alongside her in 2002 flick Assassination Tango which was filmed mostly in Buenos Aires

Duvall shared the clip to his Facebook page on January 4 with the caption: 'Luciana surprised me with this wonderful birthday video in preparation for tomorrow's big 95! Thank you all for the support all of these years.'

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Duvall met his wife Pedraza in Argentina as they have been together since 1997. 

He recalled their first encounter in a December 2010 interview with Esquire as he said: '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.'

The two even worked together as Duvall produced, directed, and acted alongside her in 2002 flick Assassination Tango which was filmed mostly in Buenos Aires.

The actor was known as a very skilled Argentine dancer and even owned a tango studio in Argentina and the United States. 

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Duvall's widow Pedraza is the granddaughter of Argentine aviation pioneer Susana Ferrari Billinghurst. 

He did get a taste in what it would be like to be a parent as his first wife Barbara Benjamin had two daughters from a previous marriage.

He was married to first wife Barbara Benjamin from 1964 until 1975 as she had two daughters from a previous marriage (they are pictured in March 1972)

He was married to first wife Barbara Benjamin from 1964 until 1975 as she had two daughters from a previous marriage (they are pictured in March 1972)

His second wife was Gail Youngs which made him the brother-in-law to John Savage, Robin Young, and Jim Youngs as they were married from 1982 to 1986 (they are pictured in January 1983)

His second wife was Gail Youngs which made him the brother-in-law to John Savage, Robin Young, and Jim Youngs as they were married from 1982 to 1986 (they are pictured in January 1983)

Duvall's third marriage was to dancer Sharon Brophy from 1991 to 1995 (they are pictured in March 1992)

Duvall's third marriage was to dancer Sharon Brophy from 1991 to 1995 (they are pictured in March 1992)

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Duvall had met the former announcer and dancer on The Jackie Gleason Show during the shooting of 1962 film To Kill A Mockingbird. They were married from 1964 until 1975.

His second wife was Gail Youngs which made him the brother-in-law to John Savage, Robin Young, and Jim Youngs as they were married from 1982 to 1986.

Duvall's third marriage was to dancer Sharon Brophy from 1991 to 1995.  

He was best known for playing Tom Hagen, the consigliere and lawyer for the Corleone family, opposite Al Pacino and Marlon Brando in The Godfather films.

He was best known for playing Tom Hagen, the consigliere and lawyer for the Corleone family, opposite Al Pacino (right) and Marlon Brando in The Godfather films

He was best known for playing Tom Hagen, the consigliere and lawyer for the Corleone family, opposite Al Pacino (right) and Marlon Brando in The Godfather films

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His other acclaimed movies include Apocalypse Now and The Great Santini. 

He later earned his first and only Oscar in the Best Actor in a Leading Role category for Tender Mercies in 1984.

The talented actor had been nominated a total of six times for Academy Awards including 1981 for the aforementioned The Great Santini, 1988 for The Apostle, 1999 for A Civil Action, and 2015 for The Judge.

The San Diego native worked as an actor for over seven decades. 

aggregated from the Daily Mail.

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