Every Morning in Aspen, Robert Wagner Feels Grateful
Each morning, Robert Wagner, affectionately known as RJ to his friends, wakes up feeling incredibly fortunate. Outside his window in Aspen, the sun paints Elk Mountain with a golden glow, and it’s not uncommon for him to spot elk, deer, or fox meandering through the forested property. “As Jill likes to say: ‘There are only so many front-row seats to life, and we’re lucky enough to have one,’” RJ shares with a smile. It’s moments like these that remind him how blessed he truly is.
Part of RJ’s gratitude stems from the love he shares with his wife, the former Bond girl Jill St. John. The pair tied the knot in 1990, but their friendship dates back to the 1960s when they first crossed paths as young actors at Fox Studios. Despite the heartbreaks they endured, their love blossomed into one of Hollywood’s most enduring and joyful marriages. “It might sound like a cliché, but their bond has genuinely stood the test of time,” says a close friend.
From Bond Girl to Beloved Wife: Jill St. John's Journey
Jill St. John, the sultry sexpot who captivated audiences as Tiffany Case opposite Sean Connery’s James Bond in the 1971 classic "Diamonds Are Forever," was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her acting career began at a young age, and she attended dance classes at the Panaieff Ballet Center, where she rubbed shoulders with RJ’s future wife Natalie Wood and his "Hart to Hart" co-star Stephanie Powers. “We were all very friendly back then,” Jill recalls, sharing that she even felt a twinge of jealousy over Natalie’s golden ballet slippers. “They weren’t best friends, but they definitely respected one another,” a mutual friend explains.
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RJ, born in Detroit, is one of the last classic leading men from Hollywood’s golden era. At just 20 years old, he made his big-screen debut and quickly climbed the ranks to Hollywood’s A-list after delivering a powerful performance as a soldier dealing with PTSD in the 1952 film "With a Song in My Heart." His illustrious career spans over 150 acting credits, including two films he starred in alongside Jill during the late 1960s. “They’ve remained friends ever since working together,” says a pal.
When tragedy struck in November 1981 with the accidental drowning of Natalie Wood off the coast of Catalina Island, Jill, like the rest of the world, was deeply saddened by the news. She reached out to RJ with heartfelt condolences, sending him a thoughtful note and flowers. Two months later, fate brought them together again at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend. Jill empathized with RJ’s grief, having lost her ex-husband, race car driver and Woolworth heir Lance Reventlow, in a devastating plane crash in 1972. “Much of Lance stayed with me,” Jill reflects. “We remained friends until the day he passed.”
A Bond That Grew Stronger Over Time
After their initial meeting, RJ and Jill stayed in touch and eventually began dating. “They found solace in each other’s company,” says a friend. Amid the media frenzy surrounding Natalie’s death, RJ cherished having someone he could trust. “I’ve had friendships with some truly remarkable men, and I believe one of the things they admire about me is my discretion,” Jill said in 1982. The couple tied the knot eight years later during an intimate family celebration at RJ’s home in LA.
Though it was the fourth marriage for both RJ and Jill, their 32-year union remains the longest-lasting of their lives. Jill, who never had children, played a pivotal role in raising RJ’s daughters. Courtney was only 7 when her mother Natalie passed away, while
