A look at Robert Duvall's 41-year age gap marriage with actress wife

Robert Duvall had a sense of humor when it came to the 41-year age gap between him and his wife, Luciana Duvall.

The late Oscar-winning actor, who died aged 95 on February 15, first met his wife in 1996 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while filming the TV movie The Man Who Captured Eichmann, and while he was at first "concerned" about dating a "much younger woman," they went on to marry in 2005.

Age gap

"I met my wife in Argentina. The flower shop was closed, so I went to the bakery. If the flower shop had been open, I never would've met her," The Godfather star told Esquire in December 2010.

"I was a little concerned about being with a much younger woman at first," he added, revealing he turned to actor Wilford Brimley for advice.

"Wilford is a very sharp guy. He used to be a bodyguard for Howard Hughes. He said, 'Let me tell you something, my friend, the worst thing in the world for an old man is an old woman!'"

Speaking to Closer Weekly in May 2021, Robert, who was married four times, said of his first encounter with Luciana: "When I met my current wife — she's much younger than I — we met in Argentina on the street, by chance. I figured, why not? [And] it worked out."

© Getty Images

During a 2010 interview with the Washington Post, Robert revealed that he and Luciana bonded over their shared birthday of January 5.

"She's much younger than I am. But we have the same birthday, January 5," he said of their sizable age gap, which he joked led to an unusual first meeting with Luciana's father, who is younger than Robert.

"When I met her father, he said, 'I don't know whether to call you Father or Son!'" he quipped.

© Getty Images

Luciana is an actress and director and collaborated with Robert on 2002's Assassination Tango and 2015's Wild Horses, both of which her husband directed. She also directed the 2004 film Portrait of Billy Joe. 

Recalling the first time she met Robert, Luciana revealed it was she who approached him. "I didn't want to, but my friends said, 'Go invite him to our party. He loves the tango,'" she told  The Austin Chronicle in March 2003.

"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."

© Getty Images

Luciana said she had no idea who Robert was when they first met. "He thinks I'm lying, but I swear to god," she said. "He was Bobby."

She continued: "And still, to me, he is just Bobby. And then I saw him working on The Apostle, and saw some of his other films, and I was able to admire his work."

Robert Duvall's death

© Getty Images

Luciana announced Robert's death to the world via a Facebook statement on Monday, February 16.

"Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time," she wrote. "Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort."

© Getty Images

"To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything," she continued. "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. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all. Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind," Luciana concluded.