Meet Robert Duvall’s First Wife Barbara Benjamin Amid ‘The Godfather’ Star’s Death Cause Exploration

Academy Award-winning actor, Robert Duvall passed away on February 15, 2026, at the age of 95. He was known for his iconic roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, and will be remembered for entertaining viewers for over seven decades. The legendary star reportedly died peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, and the news of his demise was shared by his wife, Luciana Duvall. The actor’s death left his family, friends and fans heartbroken, who shared tributes on social media. As his passing marks the end of an era, here’s a look at his first marriage to Barbara Benjamin.

Who was Robert Duvall’s first wife, Barbara Benjamin?

Barbara Benjamin was a New York native born August 10, 1936. Professionally, she was a former announcer and dancer on The Jackie Gleason Show, who appeared in films like Guys and Dolls (1955) and The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963) under the stage name Barbara Brent. She was the first spouse of veteran star, Robert Duvall, however, he wasn’t her first husband. She was married to someone else, with whom she shared two children. Following her divorce, she found love again with Robert, and they went on to get married. There is no available information about Barbara’s life after her split from Robert.

How did Barbara Benjamin and Robert Duvall’s love story start?

Robert Duvall and his first wife, Barbara Benjamin, met during the production of the 1962 classic film, To Kill a Mockingbird. At that time, Benjamin had reportedly transitioned from announcer and dancer to an actress. As for Robert, he was filming his breakout role as ‘Boo Radley’, effectively blending his professional breakthrough with a milestone in his personal life. Robert and Barbara felt an instant connection, and soon their friendly bond blossomed into romance.

Barbara Benjamin and Robert Duvall’s marriage and divorce

After about two years of dating, Robert and Barbara tied the knot in 1964 and led a spousal life for over a decade. While the couple did not have biological children together, she had two daughters, Nancy and Suzan, from a previous marriage. Robert became their immediate stepfather and helped Barbara raise them during the early years of his rise in Hollywood. Their marriage spanned the period when he rose to major fame with roles in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.  The couple remained together for 11 years before their divorce was finalised in 1975.

Robert Duvall remarried thrice after his divorce from Barbara Benjamin

Following his split from, Robert Duvall married Gail Youngs in 1982. He met her while performing on Broadway. She is an actress who appeared alongside Robert in the 1983 film, Tender Mercies, for which he won his only Academy Award for Best Actor. Robert and Gail’s marriage lasted four years before their divorce in 1986. Nine years after the end of his second marriage, he wed Sharon Brophy, a professional dancer and tango instructor. The former couple met in 1986 at a tango class in New York City. Robert and Sharon walked down the aisle at his country estate in Virginia in 1991 and remained married for four years, until 1995.

After Robert Duvall’s three failed marriages, he found his forever in Luciana Pedraza, an Argentine actress four decades younger than him. The 54-year-old was married to Robert for over 20 years until the legendary actor’s death on February 15, 2026. The couple met by chance at a bakery in Buenos Aires in 1997, bonded over their shared love for tango and movies, and after several years of dating, they married in 2005. She appeared in films directed by or starring Robert, including Assassination Tango (2002) and Wild Horses (2015). Notably, Luciana was the one who confirmed Robert’s passing.

Robert Duvall’s cause of death

According to a statement shared by his wife, Luciana Pedraza, on Facebook, Robert Duvall passed away peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, surrounded by family. While early reports from outlets like The Economic Times attribute the death to natural causes, several major outlets noted that a specific medical issue might be the cause of death. Back in 2016, reports by outlets like Radar indicated that Robert was secretly battling an ailment, details of which remained undisclosed until his death. However, neither the actor nor his family commented on the unverified news.

What are your thoughts on Robert Duvall’s four marriages and speculative cause of death? Let us know.

Also Read: Who Is Luciana Pedraza? All About Robert Duvall’s Wife, 41 Years His Junior, After His Death At 95