Natalie Wood’s Daughter Reflects on Overcoming Grief and Honoring Her Legacy
Robert Wagner, the late actor known for his roles in classic films, raised his stepdaughter Natasha Gregson Wagner following the tragic death of her mother, Natalie Wood, in 1981. Wagner told Gregson Wagner in therapy that he never anticipated she would recover from the trauma of losing her mother, who was his second wife. Wood, an Oscar-nominated actress, drowned on November 29, 1981, on a yacht with Wagner, actor Christopher Walken, and the ship’s captain during a Thanksgiving weekend.
After a night of heavy drinking, Wood’s body was discovered floating in the waters off Catalina Island, where she was 43 years old at the time of her death. Gregson Wagner, who was only 11 when her mother died, reflected on the emotional pain she experienced but vowed to carry on her mother’s legacy. She described the grief as both a personal and public tragedy, emphasizing that the experience of loss is deeply private, though it can be shared through art and storytelling.
Over the years, Gregson Wagner has become a devoted advocate for her mother’s memory. She wrote a memoir titled More Than Love and collaborated on a documentary titled Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind. Recently, she relaunched a fragrance line that pays tribute to her mother. She expressed that these endeavors helped her transform her pain into something beautiful and meaningful. Gregson Wagner also noted that her father, Wagner, provided unwavering support during her grieving process.
Despite ongoing speculation surrounding Wood’s death, including some conspiracy theories, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has since exhausted all leads, and Wagner was no longer considered a person of interest. Wagner, now 95, remains close to Gregson Wagner, and she continues to honor him as a devoted patriarch. Gregson Wagner has remained proud of her father’s bravery in sharing his memories of Wood, describing him as a courageous and loving figure who gave her everything she needed to heal.
The legacy of Natalie Wood and the impact of her death continue to resonate today. Gregson Wagner’s efforts to keep her mother’s memory alive through artistic and personal projects highlight the enduring influence of Wood’s career and the complex emotions surrounding her passing. As for Wagner, who passed away in 2023, his role in shaping the lives of his children, particularly Gregson Wagner, remains a testament to his dedication as a father and a public figure in the entertainment industry.