For the first time since its creation, the Sundance Film Festival will open without its founder, Robert Redford. And as filmmakers and fans gather to honor his vision, his daughter Amy Redford is sharing a rare and deeply personal look at the man she knew not as a legend—but as a father.

In an exclusive interview with TODAY, Amy reflected on how her family is preparing for the first Sundance following Redford’s death on Sept. 16, 2025. He was 89.

While the world remembers Redford as an Oscar-winning actor, director, and the creative force behind Sundance, Amy spoke about the values that shaped her upbringing—and the decision she believes mattered most.

‘The best thing he did for our family’

According to Amy, the most meaningful choice her father made was where and how he raised his children.

“The best thing I think he did for my family,” she said, “was raise us between New York City and the mountains of Sundance.”

That balance—between the intensity of urban life and the grounding presence of nature—left a permanent mark. Amy explained that growing up split between the city and the wilderness taught her and her siblings stewardship, responsibility, and respect for the natural world.

“We got to live between the city and in natural law,” she said. “And that taught us a very strong value of stewardship. That’s something all of us still bring to the table today.”

She also described Redford as playful, curious, and deeply kind—someone who encouraged his children to pursue what they cared about most and to believe their passions could help change the world.

A father who believed in opening doors

Those same values carried directly into Redford’s work with Sundance. Amy reflected on her father’s instincts as a creator and mentor, especially his determination to build a space for independent filmmakers—despite being advised not to.

In a 2000 interview with TODAY, Redford recalled being told that founding the festival was a bad idea. According to Amy, that resistance only strengthened his resolve.

“If you tell him not to do it,” she said, “that just means it hasn’t been done yet.”

For Redford, Sundance wasn’t about prestige. It was about using whatever influence he had to amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard—and to give emerging artists a real chance.

Amy described Sundance as an extension of her father’s belief that art could be a tool for meaningful change.

A private family, a public legacy

Robert Redford had four children with his first wife, historian and activist Lola Van Wagenen, whom he married in 1958. Their eldest son, Scott, died in infancy, and their son Jamie Redford died in 2020. Their daughters, Shauna Redford and Amy, have largely stayed out of the spotlight.

In 2009, Redford married his second wife, Sibylle Szaggars, after more than a decade together.

As Sundance begins again—this time without the man who imagined it—Amy Redford’s reflections serve as a reminder that Robert Redford’s greatest legacy may not be found only on screen or in cinema history, but in the values he quietly passed on: curiosity, courage, stewardship, and the belief that if something hasn’t been done yet, it might just be worth trying.

Legendary singer-songwriter Kate Bush has shared a deeply personal and emotional message after one of her closest friends, Matthew Upham, went missing during a Christmas Day swim off the coast of Devon.

Bush, 67, said she was “heartbroken” by the tragedy, revealing that Upham had been one of her “very dearest friends” for more than three decades. Her words, published on her official website, offered a rare glimpse into the private grief of one of Britain’s most reclusive and respected artists.

“He was one of those people who touched everyone he met,” Bush wrote. “He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. He was also a great deal of fun.”

Christmas Day search ends in tragedy

Emergency services were alerted shortly after 10:25 GMT on December 25 after two men — one in his 40s and the other in his 60s — failed to return from a swim at Budleigh Salterton. A large-scale search operation involving the HM Coastguard was launched but was ultimately called off around 5:00 pm.

Authorities have not yet formally confirmed the circumstances, but the incident has cast a shadow over the coastal community and those close to Upham.

“The sea should always be respected”

In her tribute, Bush described Upham as a confident and experienced swimmer who had a deep respect for the ocean.

“He was a very strong swimmer and loved kayaking,” she wrote. “He understood the sea should be respected.”

That understanding, she added, makes the loss all the more painful.

“It’s so tragic that he lost his life this way. The world has lost someone incredibly special.”

A rare public expression of grief

Known globally for songs such as Running Up That Hill, Bush rarely speaks publicly about her personal life. Her decision to share such an intimate tribute underscores the depth of her bond with Upham and the impact he had on those around him.

“Thank you Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have,” she wrote.

She concluded by acknowledging the shared grief felt by those closest to him:

“His family are heartbroken and, along with many of his friends, so am I.”

As the search efforts end and questions remain unanswered, Bush’s words stand as a quiet memorial — not only to a friend she cherished, but to a life described as generous, joyful and deeply human.

For more Update- DAILY GLOBAL DIARY

For years, thousands of New Yorkers have unknowingly posed for Christmas photos in front of a festive holiday display created by two of daytime television’s biggest stars. Now, the secret is finally out.

Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos have revealed that they have secretly decorated a public Christmas spot in New York City for years, turning an otherwise dull construction site near their home into a cheerful holiday backdrop.

The longtime couple and co-hosts of Live With Kelly & Mark shared the heartwarming tradition in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, admitting that passersby regularly stop to take photos—completely unaware who is behind the festive magic.

A Christmas wonderland hiding behind construction walls

Speaking on the set of their show in Manhattan, Kelly Ripa explained how the tradition began.

“We sort of decorate the front of our house. Next door is a construction site, and they let me decorate the construction site,” she said.

What started as a small seasonal touch has now lasted seven years, mirroring the length of the construction project itself. According to Consuelos, the site features a green-paneled wall that resembles “a Tiffany box,” which Ripa adorns each winter with a giant red ribbon.

“I asked them, and they were like, ‘Sure!’” Ripa recalled. “People put their kids in front of it and take photos!”

The sweetest part? Nobody knew

Perhaps the most delightful twist is that friends and neighbors have unknowingly sent the couple Christmas cards featuring photos taken in front of the decorated spot—without realizing Ripa and Consuelos were responsible.

“They don’t know it’s us,” Ripa laughed. “They’ll send us a Christmas card of their kids in front of our house, and I love that.”

She added that some cards are even addressed to “Dear homeowner”, making the moment even more surreal and heartwarming.

“I think it’s so nice. They have no idea,” she said, before joking, “Now they’ll know it’s us!”

At 55, Ripa says the joy comes from spreading happiness without credit—something she and Consuelos have intentionally kept quiet about until now.

A quiet tradition of kindness among TV stars

The revelation echoes a similar sentiment recently shared by fellow ABC personality Whoopi Goldberg, who admitted on The View: Behind the Table podcast that she secretly helps respond to children’s letters to Santa each year.

“Everybody needs a little help,” Goldberg said. “If you can do something that lifts people up, why not?”

Both stories highlight a side of celebrity life rarely seen—small, anonymous acts of generosity meant only to spread joy.

Christmas continues on Live With Kelly & Mark

Ripa and Consuelos continue to lean into the festive spirit on Live With Kelly & Mark, which airs weekday mornings in syndication. The show’s annual Christmas Eve episode is set to air on December 24, featuring holiday-themed segments and seasonal cheer.

For now, though, fans may find themselves doing a double-take the next time they pass a beautifully decorated Christmas spot in New York—wondering if there’s a famous secret hiding behind the ribbon.