You’ve probably seen her on your feed—the "Instaqueen of Palm Beach" with the gravity-defying hair and the wardrobe that makes every other socialite look like they’re trying too hard. Suebelle Robbins is basically the human embodiment of a Slim Aarons photograph. But lately, the comments section hasn't just been about her hairspray or her vintage Dior. People are asking about suebelle robbins husband, mostly because he was such a constant, quiet fixture in her glamorous life before things changed.
The truth? Her husband, Richard Robbins, was a lot more than just the guy holding the camera or walking two steps behind her at Mar-a-Lago.
Who Was Richard Robbins?
Richard Leete Robbins wasn't some reality TV wannabe. He was a heavy hitter in the world of finance, specifically working as an institutional broker. Think old-school Wall Street pedigree. He spent decades at firms like Oppenheimer and Co., Shearson Lehman, and AG Edwards. While Suebelle was busy being the life of the party, Richard was the steady anchor.
He was born in Connecticut back in 1938. He went to Hamilton College and then Duke for law school before the Army called him up. By the time he met Suebelle, he’d already built a life that spanned from Boston to New York to Newport.
They weren't just a couple; they were a unit.
They spent 38 years together. That’s a lifetime in any world, but in the high-octane, high-divorce-rate ecosystem of Palm Beach and the Hamptons? It’s practically a miracle. Suebelle often says the secret to their "fabulous" marriage was her belief that he loved her "just a tiny bit more" than she loved him. Honestly, that’s probably the best marriage advice anyone has ever given.
The Reality of His Passing
If you noticed a shift in Suebelle’s content around early 2025, there’s a heartbreaking reason for it. Richard Robbins passed away on January 8, 2025, at their home in Palm Beach. He was 86. He’d been dealing with a long illness privately, which is why the public was caught a bit off guard when the news broke.
Suebelle didn't hide it, though. She posted a tribute that was actually pretty raw for someone whose brand is "glamorous and unbothered." She called him the love of her life.
It’s weirdly comforting to see that even the people living in $20 million mansions with perfect pearls deal with the same gut-punch of grief as the rest of us.
Life Before the Influence
Before she was a 70-something Instagram sensation, Suebelle’s life was... complicated. She was a Playboy Bunny in Boston. She was a first-grade teacher. She dealt with some pretty heavy childhood trauma—her father died when she was just 13, and her childhood home burned down shortly after.
Richard was the stability she didn't have growing up.
When they married in 1992 (though some sources suggest they’d been together since the mid-80s), they hit the ground running. They traveled to Paris constantly. They divided time between Newport, NYC, and Florida. He had kids from a previous life—Brenda, Matthew, and Heather—and Suebelle became part of that larger family tree, even though she chose not to have biological children of her own.
The Ronald Reagan Kiss Story
Okay, we have to talk about the White House story because it’s the most "Palm Beach" thing ever. Suebelle and Richard were at the White House for Christmas one year during the Reagan era.
According to Suebelle, she actually kissed Ronald Reagan.
Richard was right there. It wasn't some scandalous affair; it was a moment of holiday spirit (and maybe a little bit of Suebelle being Suebelle). Richard reportedly just laughed it off. That tells you everything you need to know about their dynamic. He wasn't threatened by her shine; he was her biggest fan.
What Happened to Their Estate?
People love to speculate about the money. Richard was successful, sure, but Suebelle has built her own empire lately with her "Fabulous Hold" hairspray and her influencer deals.
They lived a life of high-end traditionalism. We’re talking manicured hedges, classic furniture, and a lot of social clubs. Richard was a member of the Beach Club, the Roundtable, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Since his death, Suebelle has stayed in their Palm Beach home. She’s been open about the fact that grief is a "gentle presence" in her life now. She’s not stopping, though. If anything, she’s leaning harder into her community.
The Takeaway for Fans
If you’re looking for dirt on suebelle robbins husband, you’re going to be disappointed. There are no cheating scandals or hidden bankruptcies. It was just a long-term, wealthy, seemingly happy marriage that ended the way all marriages eventually do.
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The real lesson here?
- Longevity matters: 38 years is a long time to keep the spark alive.
- Privacy is a choice: They shared their highlights but kept his illness quiet until the end.
- Reinvention is real: Suebelle became a star in her 70s with Richard’s full support.
Richard wasn't just "the husband." He was the foundation that allowed the "Instaqueen" to build her throne. Now, she’s navigating a new chapter solo, proving that even after a massive loss, you can still find a reason to put on the pearls and keep going.
If you’re following her journey, the best thing you can do is respect the legacy of the man who was behind the scenes for nearly four decades. He wasn't a reality star, but he was definitely the lead in her life.
Next Steps for Readers
To truly understand the legacy of the Robbins family in Palm Beach, you should look into the charitable organizations they supported, specifically the Four Arts and the Old Guard. Understanding the "Old Palm Beach" social structure helps put their 38-year marriage into context—it was a partnership built on traditional values and a shared love for the community's history.