For decades, Robert Wagner has been a familiar face on screen, from the suave thief in It Takes a Thief to the charming millionaire in Hart to Hart, but his name has been tied to one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries. In November 2025, he posted a tribute to his late wife Natalie Wood on the 44th anniversary of her death, a reminder of a case that still raises questions.

Born: February 10, 1930 ·
Known for: It Takes a Thief, Hart to Hart, NCIS ·
Net worth: $15 million (estimated) ·
Status: Alive as of 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 1930 in Detroit, Michigan (Wikipedia)
  • Married Natalie Wood twice (1957 and 1972) (Wikipedia)
  • Starred in over 100 films and TV shows (IMDb)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact circumstances of Natalie Wood’s death in 1981 (BBC News)
  • Whether Wagner was involved (BBC News)
  • Wagner’s current health status (New York Post)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Wagner remains alive at 95 (New York Post)
  • No new investigation announced (BBC News)
  • Public interest persists with each anniversary (AOL)

Five key facts define the public record on Robert Wagner, one pattern: the tension between a celebrated career and a personal tragedy that refuses to fade.

Label Value
Full Name Robert John Wagner Jr.
Date of Birth February 10, 1930
Birthplace Detroit, Michigan, USA
Occupation Actor
Years Active 1950–2020

What was Robert Wagner accused of?

Circumstances of Natalie Wood’s death

  • Wagner was named a person of interest in the reopened investigation into Wood’s 1981 drowning off Catalina Island (BBC News).
  • Wood’s death certificate was amended in 2012 from “accidental drowning” to “drowning and other undetermined factors” (Reuters).
  • Bruising on Wood’s body led authorities to say she might have been injured before entering the water (CBC News).

Official investigations and statements

  • Law enforcement interviewed more than 100 witnesses after reopening the inquest (CBC News).
  • Wagner repeatedly declined interview requests with police (CBC News).
  • No charges have ever been filed against Wagner (BBC News).

The implication: Wagner remains a person of interest, but the legal system has not moved to charge him. The case sits in a gray zone of unanswered questions.

Note: The investigation remains open, but no charges have been filed, leaving the case in legal limbo.
The paradox

Despite being named a person of interest, Robert Wagner has never been formally accused of a crime. The public’s appetite for closure clashes with the official position that the death remains classified as a drowning with undetermined factors.

Why did Natalie Wood leave Robert Wagner?

Marriage timeline

  • Wagner and Wood first married in 1957, divorced in 1962, then remarried in 1972 (Wikipedia).
  • The divorce was attributed to career conflicts and infidelity rumors (Wikipedia).

Reasons for separation

  • Wood’s biographer has noted that both were rising stars with demanding schedules (Wikipedia).
  • Rumors of Wagner’s affairs surfaced during the first marriage, though nothing was ever confirmed by either party (Wikipedia).

The pattern: a classic Hollywood romance that cracked under the pressure of fame, then was rekindled for a second act.

Who was the love of Robert Wagner’s life?

Relationship with Natalie Wood

  • Wagner has repeatedly described Wood as the love of his life (AOL).
  • He posted a tribute to her on the 44th anniversary of her death, calling her his “forever love” (New York Post).

Later marriages

  • After Wood’s death, Wagner married actress Jill St. John in 1990, and they remain married as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
  • He also had a brief marriage to Marion Marshall (1963–1971) (Wikipedia).

The implication: While Wagner found love again, his public statements consistently return to Wood as the central emotional figure of his life.

What is happening with Robert Wagner now?

Current health and public appearances

  • Wagner is retired from acting, with his last credited role in 2020 (IMDb).
  • He makes occasional public appearances, including a 2025 tribute to Wood (New York Post).
  • His current health status is not publicly detailed, but he was alive and active on social media in late 2025 (AOL).

Recent projects and interviews

  • Wagner published a memoir, Pieces of My Heart, in 2008 (Wikipedia).
  • He has given few interviews in recent years, mostly to commemorate anniversaries or promote his book (BBC News).
Bottom line: Robert Wagner is retired and living privately. The public’s focus remains on the unresolved questions around Wood’s death, not on new work from the actor.

The catch: Wagner’s retirement keeps him out of the public eye, but the mystery ensures his name stays in the headlines.

Is Robert Wagner still alive?

Current status

  • Yes, Robert Wagner is alive as of 2025 at age 95 (New York Post).
  • His birthday is February 10, 1930, making him 95 in 2025 (Wikipedia).

Recent news

  • In November 2025, he shared a throwback photo with Natalie Wood on Instagram, marking the 44th anniversary of her death (New York Post).
  • No major health updates have been reported in 2025 (AOL).

The catch: while Wagner’s physical presence is confirmed, the lack of detailed health information leaves room for speculation.

Timeline signal

  • 1930 – Born in Detroit, Michigan (Wikipedia)
  • 1950s – Begins acting career (Wikipedia)
  • 1957 – Marries Natalie Wood (first time) (Wikipedia)
  • 1962 – Divorces Natalie Wood (Wikipedia)
  • 1968–1970 – Stars in It Takes a Thief (Wikipedia)
  • 1972 – Remarries Natalie Wood (Wikipedia)
  • 1981 – Natalie Wood dies on November 29 (New York Post)
  • 1990s–2000s – Stars in Austin Powers films and NCIS (IMDb)
  • 2018 – Named person of interest in reopened investigation (BBC News)
  • 2025 – Alive at age 95 (New York Post)

Confirmed facts

  • Robert Wagner was born in 1930 (Wikipedia)
  • He married Natalie Wood twice (Wikipedia)
  • He is still alive as of 2025 (New York Post)
  • Wood’s death was originally ruled accidental drowning (CBC News)
  • No charges have ever been filed against Wagner (BBC News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact cause of Wood’s death (Reuters)
  • Whether Wagner was involved (BBC News)
  • Wagner’s current health status (AOL)
  • Why Wagner declined police interviews (CBC News)
  • Whether a struggle occurred before Wood entered the water (CBC News)

“Natalie was the love of my life. I think about her every day.”

— Robert Wagner, in a 2025 anniversary post (New York Post)

“There was tension on the boat that night. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I’ve told the police everything I know.”

— Christopher Walken, in testimony to investigators (CBC News)

“Their marriage was a classic Hollywood push-and-pull — two stars who couldn’t live together or apart.”

— Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni, Natalie Wood biographer (Wikipedia)

For Robert Wagner, now 95, the legacy of his career is forever intertwined with the mystery of Natalie Wood’s death. As long as questions remain unanswered, public interest will not fade. For the tabloid reader and the true-crime follower alike, the implication is clear: the case may be closed in the legal sense, but not in the court of public speculation.

Related reading: Ryan O’Neal Death, Farrah Fawcett, Will · Alan Rickman Cause of Death and His Private Final Months

For a comprehensive overview of his career and finances, readers can explore Robert Wagners biography and net worth for detailed updates.

Frequently asked questions

Did Robert Wagner ever remarry after Natalie Wood?

Yes, he married Jill St. John in 1990 and they are still together as of 2025 (Wikipedia).

What is Robert Wagner’s most famous movie?

He is best known for the Austin Powers series where he played Number Two, and for TV shows like Hart to Hart and It Takes a Thief (IMDb).

How many children does Robert Wagner have?

He has two daughters: Katie Wagner (with Marion Marshall) and Courtney Wagner (with Natalie Wood) (Wikipedia).

Has Robert Wagner ever written a book?

Yes, he published a memoir Pieces of My Heart in 2008 (Wikipedia).

Was Robert Wagner ever charged with a crime?

No, he has never been charged with any crime related to Natalie Wood’s death or any other matter (BBC News).

What is Robert Wagner’s connection to Austin Powers?

He played the villain Number Two in all three Austin Powers films (IMDb).

Did Robert Wagner serve in the military?

No, Wagner did not serve in the military; he began his acting career in the 1950s (Wikipedia).