Robert Duvall’s 4 Wives: Inside the Actor’s Marriages
Legendary actor Robert Duvall had a career spanning more than six decades and included iconic performances in films such as The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies. Sadly, he died at the age of 95 on Feb. 15, 2026. His wife, Luciana Duvall, announced his death, sharing that he passed peacefully at home “surrounded by love and comfort.” She described Robert as “simply everything” to her and countless fans around the world. Now, we’re taking a look back at the actor’s marriage history, including his relationship with Luciana. Here’s what to know.
Actor Robert Duvall married actress Barbara Benjamin in 1964
Robert Duvall’s first marriage was to Barbara Benjamin, a former dancer and television actress whom he met during the early years of his rising career in Hollywood. Benjamin appeared on shows such as The Jackie Gleason Show under the name Barbara Brent before transitioning into acting. She married Robert in 1964 when he was gaining notice in films like To Kill a Mockingbird.
She brought two young daughters from a previous relationship into the marriage, and Robert became a devoted stepfather. The couple remained together for over a decade before divorcing in 1975. Robert later told People that “things burn out” as a simple explanation for their split. Benjamin continued her own pursuits and died in 2019.
‘The Godfather’ actor married Gail Youngs in 1982
Robert Duvall’s second marriage was to actress Gail Youngs. Their relationship emerged during a vibrant period of his career in the early 1980s. The couple met in the late 1970s while Robert was appearing on Broadway in American Buffalo, and Youngs was connected to the theater scene through her family, as she is the sister of actor John Savage. Their shared world of performance and stagecraft helped spark a romance. After a period of on‑and‑off time following a film project, they married in August 1982.
Though their marriage initially seemed promising, it proved to be short‑lived. The pair divorced four years later, in 1986. During and after their time together, Youngs spoke warmly of Robert, describing him as having a “magnificent” spirit even as she acknowledged the personal and artistic pressures each faced amid busy careers.
“Bobby’s a magnificent person on some levels, with more joie de vivre than anyone I know,” Youngs told People in 2003. “But he’s a tortured soul on other levels. He’s just so driven by his need for perfection.”
Robert Duvall and Sharon Brophy tied the knot in 1991
Robert Duvall’s third marriage was to Sharon Brophy, a dancer whom he met through his growing passion for tango in the mid‑1980s. After immersing himself in the dance, which would later inform his work on Assassination Tango, Robert encountered Brophy at a tango class in New York City in 1986, according to Hello!. Their shared interest in dance and Brophy’s expertise in the form helped spark a deeper connection. The couple tied the knot in 1991.
Though the union began with shared interests and creative ties, it ultimately did not last. The marriage ended in divorce in 1995, after roughly four years together. Brophy kept a relatively low public profile during and after the marriage. And few details have been widely reported about her life following their separation.
Robert Duvall’s 4th wife, Luciana Duvall, announced the actor’s death
Robert Duvall shared the final chapter of his life with Luciana Duvall, an Argentine actress, producer, and director. The couple met at a bakery in 1997 in Argentina, according to USA Today. Robert was in the country to work on the film Assassination Tango. Luciana, who was involved in the Argentine arts scene and a skilled tango dancer herself, not only appeared in the film but also shared Robert’s deep interest in culture and storytelling. The pair married in 2005 and were together until Robert died in 2026.
Back in 2003, Luciana mentioned how her relationship with the actor came to be.
“I didn’t want to, but my friends said, ‘Go invite him to our party. He loves the tango,'” she told The Austin Chronicle. “So we walked around the block and talked. I said, ‘Mr. Duvall, here’s my card. If you wanna come to this party, my friends would love to have you,’ with no expectations. And he came.”
In 2021, Robert spoke about Luciana to The Examiner. “When I met my current wife — she’s much younger than I — we met in Argentina on the street, by chance,” he shared, according to OK! Magazine. “I figured, why not? [And] it worked out.”
In addition to Luciana’s work in film, she and Robert founded the Robert Duvall Institute Inc. The foundation assists in the “health, education, and relief of children in Argentina who are poor and distressed or underprivileged.”
Luciana posted a heartfelt tribute to her late husband on social media after his death.
“Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time,” she wrote. “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,” she continued. “In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all.”
