Inside Robert Wagner and Jill St. John's 36-year marriage - and the secret to their lasting love


Both Robert and Jill were married three times before their relationship, which began in 1982


Robert Wagner and Jill St. John smiling on a red carpet, he in a black tuxedo and she in a blue satin dress.© FilmMagic
Nicky Morris
Nicky MorrisDeputy Entertainment Editor
57 minutes ago

Robert Wagner and Jill St. John are one of Hollywood's most enduring couples. The pair began dating in 1982 and have been going strong ever since.

In a recent interview, the Hart to Hart star shared the secret to their 36-year marriage. "Being interested in life and in your relationship," the 96-year-old told Entertainment Weekly. "I mean, I find Jill very interesting, a very interesting person. I think interest is important in a relationship."

Robert Wagner and actress Jill St. John attend The Hollywood Show held at The Westin Hotel LAX on July 28, 2018 © Getty Images
Robert Wagner and Jill St. John pictured together in 2018

Both actors had been married three times prior to striking up a romance. 

Shedding some light on the early days of their relationship, Jayne Smith, a friend of Jill's, told PEOPLE in 1982: "That was it. [Wagner] just started calling. They started dating and have been ever since. She’s really in love."

The pair have been together 36 years© Getty Images
The couple have been married for 36 years

Robert and Jill's love story

Robert and Jill, 86, first crossed paths in 1959 when they were contract players at 20th Century Fox. They worked together on several occasions over the years, including in the 1967 movie Banning,  the TV movie, How I Spent My Summer Vacation, and the 1989 miniseries, Around the World in 80 Days

They reconnected at a dinner party in 1982 and tied the knot eight years later in a small private ceremony in the garden of Robert's home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.

Jill St John and Robert Wagner during a round of golf, to promote their movie Banning in 1967© Getty Images
The pair co-starred in the 1967 movie, Banning

Robert's daughters Kate, Natasha and Courtney were all present, with Kate serving as maid of honour, and the other two as bridesmaids. 

Robert and Jill split their time between Los Angeles, California, and Aspen, Colorado for several years before moving to the latter full-time in 2007. 

They acted together in How I Spent My Summer Vacation© Silver Screen
Robert and Jill co-starred in the film How I Spent My Summer Vacation

In May, the couple celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary. Marking the special occasion on social media, Robert shared a sweet image of himself planting a kiss on his wife's cheek. He captioned the post: "36 years of love and laughter with my beautiful Jill. Happy Anniversary, my love."

Robert also paid tribute to his other half on her 86th birthday in August. "Wishing the happiest of birthdays to my beautiful wife Jill," he wrote alongside a photo of the pair posing in front of a scenic lake. "I'm so blessed to love you and to do life with you. Happy Birthday, beautiful

Robert Wagner and Jill St John poses in front of a lake in the 1990s© Robert Wagner
Robert paid tribute to Jill on her birthday in August

Robert and Jill's blended family

Robert is a proud father of three. He welcomed his eldest daughter, Kate, during his first marriage to Marion Marshall, and later had his daughter Courtney in 1974 with his late wife, Natalie Wood. He also adopted Natalie's daughter, Natasha, from her previous marriage to producer Richard Gregson.

natalie wood robert wagner hugging© Getty Images
Robert was previously married to Natalie Wood

Jill, who doesn't have any biological children, is a stepmother to all three.

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