When people discuss classic Hollywood Westerns, names like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Dale Robertson often arise. Yet, behind these cinematic legends are figures who helped shape their personal and professional journeys. Among them is Susan Dee Robbins, the devoted wife of actor Dale Robertson—a woman whose life story is not one of fame, but of grace, partnership, and preservation of legacy.
Early Life and Background
Susan Dee Robbins was born in 1954 in California, USA, during a golden era of Hollywood filmmaking. While the entertainment industry thrived around her, Susan’s upbringing was modest and grounded. Unlike many drawn to the allure of acting or modeling, she chose a different path—one rooted in professionalism, adventure, and independence.
After completing her education, Susan pursued a career as a flight attendant with American Airlines. At the time, it was considered one of the most glamorous yet disciplined professions for women, offering the opportunity to travel and meet people from all walks of life. This job would eventually lead to the encounter that changed her destiny.
A Fateful Meeting in the Skies
The story of Susan Dee Robbins and Dale Robertson sounds like something pulled straight from a Hollywood screenplay. In the late 1970s, Susan was on duty aboard a routine flight. Among her passengers was a tall, charming man with a familiar face—Dale Robertson, already famous for his rugged roles in television Westerns like Tales of Wells Fargo and Iron Horse.
Their initial interaction was polite and professional, but the conversation soon revealed mutual admiration and shared values. Dale, who had long been typecast as the noble cowboy, found in Susan a kindred spirit who appreciated authenticity over glamour. Their connection blossomed naturally, away from the cameras and publicity.
After a period of quiet courtship, the two married on February 2, 1980, in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family. Despite their 23-year age difference, their bond was strong and enduring—a union built on respect, love, and shared simplicity.
Life on the Ranch
Following their marriage, Susan and Dale settled on a sprawling ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma. For Dale, who had always preferred the saddle to the spotlight, ranch life provided peace and purpose. For Susan, it represented a new chapter—a transition from high-altitude jet cabins to open skies and horses.
The couple dedicated themselves to horse breeding and ranching, living in harmony with nature. Dale often remarked that he preferred being called a rancher rather than an actor, a sentiment that Susan wholeheartedly supported. She left her airline career to fully participate in ranch management, embracing the physical and emotional labor that came with rural living.
Although the couple did not have children together, Susan became a loving stepmother to Dale’s daughters, Rebel and Rochelle Robertson. Family life revolved around horses, open land, and quiet evenings rather than Hollywood parties or red carpets. This decision to lead a private life away from public scrutiny became one of the hallmarks of Susan’s identity.
A Marriage Rooted in Values
Hollywood marriages are notoriously short-lived, but the Robertsons’ relationship endured for 33 years—a rare and remarkable feat. Their longevity wasn’t luck; it was the result of shared principles.
1. Shared Simplicity
Both Susan and Dale valued simplicity over fame. They found joy in everyday work—feeding horses, tending to the ranch, and maintaining a peaceful home.
2. Mutual Respect
Dale often described Susan as his grounding force. She respected his past but never lived in his shadow. Instead, she helped him transition from celebrity life to rural serenity.
3. Privacy and Dignity
Susan deliberately stayed away from media attention. She never sought interviews or public appearances, preferring to protect their personal space. This decision allowed them to enjoy a genuine connection free from outside pressures.
Loss and Resilience
The couple’s happiness was unshakable until tragedy struck. On February 27, 2013, Dale Robertson passed away at the age of 89 due to lung cancer and pneumonia. His death marked the end of an era for Western television fans and the beginning of a quiet, solitary chapter in Susan’s life.
For Susan, the loss was deeply personal. Having spent over three decades by his side, she retreated completely from the public eye after his passing. Friends and acquaintances described her as strong yet private, choosing to honor Dale’s memory through her actions rather than public appearances.
Preserving a Legacy: “Bucking Hollywood”
In 2019, six years after Dale’s passing, Susan Dee Robbins resurfaced briefly—not for fame, but for legacy. She authored and published Bucking Hollywood, a heartfelt biography detailing Dale Robertson’s life, career, and philosophy.
The book stands out because it isn’t a typical celebrity tell-all. Instead, it offers an intimate portrayal of a man seen through the eyes of his life partner. The pages include:
- Anecdotes from Dale’s childhood and his early Hollywood days.
- Behind-the-scenes insights from his time on sets like Tales of Wells Fargo.
- Reflections on ranch life, love, and the values that defined them both.
- Rare photographs and personal letters that illustrate their shared journey.
Through Bucking Hollywood, Susan ensured that Dale’s story would live on—not as a mythic cowboy figure, but as a real person of integrity and grit. It was her final tribute to the man she loved and a testament to the power of storytelling in preserving history.
Susan Dee Robbins Today
As of 2025, Susan Dee Robbins is approximately 71 years old and continues to live a private, peaceful life in Oklahoma. She does not maintain any social media presence and has not remarried. Those who know her describe her as dignified, kind, and deeply loyal to her husband’s memory.
She remains a quiet but enduring figure in the tapestry of American cultural history—a reminder that not all legacies are built under the spotlight. Some are nurtured in the quiet corners of love, loyalty, and devotion.
Lessons from Susan Dee Robbins’ Life
- Privacy is Strength – In a world obsessed with visibility, Susan proves that fulfillment can exist without fame.
- Support Is a Form of Leadership – Her behind-the-scenes role enabled Dale to thrive, showing that true partnership empowers both people.
- Legacy Comes from Love – By writing Bucking Hollywood, she turned memory into history, ensuring that authentic stories endure.
- Simplicity Is Timeless – Her choice to live away from glamour reveals that peace often lies in the quiet moments of daily life.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Birth of Susan Dee Robbins in California, USA |
| Late 1970s | Meets Dale Robertson during a flight |
| 1980 | Marries Dale Robertson (February 2) |
| 1980–2013 | Life on ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma |
| 2013 | Dale Robertson passes away |
| 2019 | Susan publishes Bucking Hollywood |
| 2025 | Lives privately in Oklahoma |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Susan Dee Robbins?
Susan Dee Robbins is best known as the wife of late Western actor Dale Robertson. She is also the author of Bucking Hollywood, a biography about her husband’s life and legacy.
2. How did Susan meet Dale Robertson?
They met on a flight in the late 1970s while Susan was working as a flight attendant with American Airlines. Their meeting led to a lasting relationship and marriage.
3. Did Susan Dee Robbins have any children?
She did not have biological children but became a stepmother to Dale Robertson’s daughters, Rebel and Rochelle.
4. What is Susan doing today?
As of 2025, Susan lives a quiet life in Oklahoma, away from public attention, focusing on privacy and simplicity.
5. What is Bucking Hollywood about?
The book chronicles Dale Robertson’s life from his early days to his Hollywood success and later years on their ranch, offering personal insights and rare stories.
6. Why is Susan Dee Robbins significant?
Beyond being the wife of a star, she represents steadfast loyalty, the preservation of Western heritage, and the quiet dignity that supports great lives from the background.