Natalie Wood was the quintessential Hollywood star. From Miracle on 34th Street to West Side Story, she grew up on screen, but her private life—especially her role as a mother—was what she actually valued most toward the end. If you’re wondering how many children did Natalie Wood have, the answer is two biological daughters. However, the family tree is a little more layered than just a single number, involving a stepdaughter and a very complicated, modern-for-the-seventies blended family.
Wood’s journey into motherhood didn't start until she was in her thirties. For a woman who had been working since she was four years old, the shift from "movie star" to "mom" was a massive deal. She didn't just have kids; she basically hit the brakes on her career to raise them.
The Two Daughters: Natasha and Courtney
The first time Natalie became a mother was in 1970. She was married to British producer Richard Gregson at the time. Their daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, was born on September 29, 1970. Even though her biological father is Gregson, she carries the "Wagner" name because of the unique way she was raised after her parents split.
Honestly, the family dynamics were pretty fascinating. Natalie and Richard Gregson divorced when Natasha was just a baby. Soon after, Natalie reconnected with her first husband, Robert Wagner. They remarried in 1972, and two years later, they welcomed their only biological child together: Courtney Brooke Wagner, born March 9, 1974.
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A Blended Household Before It Was Trendy
While Natalie had two biological children, the household actually had three girls. Robert "RJ" Wagner had a daughter from his previous marriage to Marion Marshall named Katie Wagner. Natalie didn't treat Katie like a "stepchild" in the stereotypical sense. They were a unit. When Natalie died in 1981, that bond is basically what kept the girls together.
- Natasha Gregson Wagner: Born 1970 (Father: Richard Gregson)
- Courtney Wagner: Born 1974 (Father: Robert Wagner)
- Katie Wagner: Born 1964 (Stepdaughter; Father: Robert Wagner)
Life After the Tragedy on the Splendor
The question of how many children did Natalie Wood have often comes up because people are curious about how they handled her infamous death. When Natalie vanished from the family yacht, the Splendor, in November 1981, Natasha was only 11 and Courtney was just 7. That’s a heavy burden for kids.
The most incredible part of this story is the pact made between the two fathers. Richard Gregson (the biological dad) and Robert Wagner (the "daddy" who raised Natasha) decided it was best for Natasha to stay in the Wagner home. They didn't want to separate the sisters. Natasha has often said she felt like she had two fathers, and both men remained close until Gregson passed away in 2019.
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What the Daughters Are Doing Now
Natasha has been the most vocal about protecting her mother's legacy. She’s an actress—you might recognize her from High Fidelity or Lost Highway—and she produced the HBO documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind. She also launched a fragrance called "Natalie" that smells like gardenias, which was her mom’s favorite scent.
Courtney has stayed a bit more under the radar. She’s dealt with some personal struggles over the years, which is understandable given the trauma of losing a mother so young in such a public way. She’s worked in jewelry design and has occasionally appeared in documentaries about her family, but she mostly avoids the paparazzi-heavy side of Hollywood.
Why the Number of Kids Matters to Her Legacy
Natalie Wood was often portrayed as a tragic figure because of how she died. But if you talk to anyone who actually knew her during those final years, they’ll tell you she was obsessed with being a mom. She took long breaks between movies. She stayed home. She cooked. She was deeply involved in the mundane, everyday stuff of parenting.
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The fact that she had two biological daughters and one stepdaughter who still consider themselves a tight-knit "sisterhood" says a lot. In an industry where families fall apart over much less, the Wagner-Gregson clan stayed remarkably unified.
If you’re digging into Natalie Wood's history, the best way to understand her is through her daughters' eyes. They don't see a "doomed star." They see a woman who loved gardenias, laughed loudly, and put her children before her fame.
To keep exploring the life of this Hollywood icon, you can watch Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind on Max. It’s probably the most authentic look at her life as a mother, told directly by the people who called her "Mom."