When Robert Redford lived in Mijas, where he decided whether to continue acting or dedicate himself to painting

Robert Redford has passed away at the age of 89 at his residence in Utah this Tuesday, September 16, as reported by The New York Times. The actor had a close relationship with Spain during his youth, as he visited the country on several occasions. With his family, Redford spent a season in Mijas, on a secluded farm in the mountains during the 60s. He went to the Costa del Sol to get away from the Hollywood spotlight, at a time when he was considering dedicating himself to painting and taking a sabbatical year in this land.

During his visit to Spain in 2012, on the occasion of the presentation of the Sundance Channel for Spain, he recalled this stay in Mijas that took place in 1966, and which lasted seven months.

"When I was 19 years old I came for the first time. I was studying a degree, I wanted to be an artist, and I came to Spain. It was 1957, so the Civil Guard was still around (...) It was a wonderful experience. I traveled around the country, I was in Barcelona and then spent two months in Mallorca, where I painted some pictures," the actor told Efe in 2012.

"A few years later I became an actor and started a family, with whom I returned to Mallorca and it was in the mid-sixties. We were in Puerto de Alcudia, a small fishing village. It was very good, because I wanted to educate my children in contact with other cultures," he explained. At this time he experienced a professional crisis: "I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue being an actor. I had made three movies in Hollywood and took a sabbatical year." The destination was Spain again. "This time we went to Málaga, from there to Fuengirola and from there to Mijas and we took a farm in Mijas where we spent seven months. I didn't dance flamenco, but it was a wonderful experience," highlighted the actor. Regarding his departure from this town, Vanity Fair reported that it was after the actor began to encounter other Americans, which led him to return to Hollywood.

A couple of years ago, Canal Sur, through Andalucía Directo, shared the experience of some neighbors of Mijas Pueblo during the actor's stay in the 60s. One explains on camera that the farm where he stayed for more than half a year with his family belonged to María La Pañala.