Natalie Wood's Legacy Endures 43 Years After Her Tragic Death

The actress's mysterious drowning remains unsolved, while her family honors her life and work through memoirs, documentaries, and personal tributes.

Natalie Wood, a celebrated actress known for films like 'West Side Story' and 'Rebel Without a Cause,' tragically drowned at age 43 in 1981 during a boating trip near Catalina Island.
Her death was initially ruled an accidental drowning, but subsequent investigations raised questions, with her husband Robert Wagner named a person of interest in 2018 before being cleared in 2022.
Wood's daughters, Natasha Gregson Wagner and Courtney Wagner, have worked to preserve her memory through books, documentaries, and fragrance lines inspired by her life and legacy.
The circumstances of Wood's death remain a topic of public intrigue, with conflicting accounts from those aboard the yacht and a lack of definitive evidence about what transpired that night.
Her family, including stepfather Robert Wagner, has focused on celebrating her life, describing her as a loving mother and vibrant personality whose influence continues to resonate.