Susan Dee Robbins: The Private Life Behind a Hollywood Cowboy

When people talk about classic Hollywood Westerns, Dale Robertson’s name always comes up. Yet, very few know about the woman who stood by his side for more than three decades—Susan Dee Robbins. While she never sought the spotlight, her role as Dale’s wife, confidant, and later his biographer makes her an important part of his story.

To understand Susan better, let’s walk through her life—from her early career to her quiet life after Dale’s passing.

Quick Biography of Susan Dee Robbins

Here’s a snapshot of key facts about her life:

Fact	Details
Full Name	Susan Dee Robbins
Birth Year	1954 (California, USA)
Early Career	Flight attendant with American Airlines
Marriage	Married Dale Robertson in 1980
Residence	Ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma
Stepchildren	Rebel and Rochelle Robertson
Life’s Work	Authored Bucking Hollywood (2019)
Known For	Wife of actor Dale Robertson, biographer
Current Status	Widow, private life since 2013

Early Life and Career of Susan Dee Robbins

Susan Dee Robbins grew up in California in the 1950s, a time when Hollywood was buzzing with cowboy movies and television Westerns. Unlike many who get tied to celebrity life early on, Susan lived a quiet life.

Her professional start came with American Airlines, where she worked as a flight attendant. This job not only gave her independence but also set the stage for her fateful meeting with Dale Robertson.

Flight attendants in the 1970s often met business leaders, actors, and politicians during routine flights. But for Susan, one passenger would change her life forever.

How Susan Dee Robbins Met Dale Robertson

Their love story sounds like a scene out of a movie. While working a flight in the late 1970s, Susan met Dale Robertson—already a famous Western star, known for TV shows like Tales of Wells Fargo and Iron Horse.

• The pair struck up a conversation mid-flight.
• Mutual respect and admiration quickly turned into a relationship.
• On February 2, 1980, they married in a private ceremony.

Dale, born in 1923, was 23 years older than Susan. But the age difference never became an obstacle. They shared a love for horses, ranch life, and a desire for privacy away from Hollywood buzz.

Married Life on the Ranch

After their wedding, Susan Dee Robbins moved with Dale to his ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma. For the next 33 years, their marriage became a partnership rooted in simple living.

Life on the Ranch

• The couple bred horses and maintained a working ranch.
• Dale preferred being known as a rancher rather than just a Hollywood actor.
• Susan left her airline job to fully share in Dale’s rural lifestyle.

Family and Children

• Susan and Dale had no children together.
• She became stepmother to Dale’s daughters, Rebel and Rochelle.
• Family life revolved around horses, ranching, and keeping traditions alive.

For fans, Dale Robertson was the cowboy hero. For Susan, he was a husband she stood by—through illness, retirement, and eventually his final days.

The Partnership of Susan Dee Robbins and Dale Robertson

Many Hollywood marriages collapse under the pressures of fame, but Susan and Dale’s union lasted 33 years. What kept them strong?

Key Factors in Their Enduring Marriage:

• Shared Values: Both loved simplicity, nature, and ranch living.
• Respect for Privacy: Susan avoided media, shielding their personal life.
• Supportive Role: She quietly managed their home life, giving Dale stability.

This balance allowed Dale to focus on acting and ranching without the strains of celebrity gossip. In return, Susan lived a life that was authentic and meaningful, even outside Hollywood’s glitter.

Life After Dale Robertson’s Passing

On February 27, 2013, Dale Robertson passed away at the age of 89 from lung cancer and pneumonia. His death ended an era of television cowboys, but it also marked a turning point for Susan.

Susan’s Life Post-2013

• She became a widow after 33 years of marriage.
• She withdrew entirely from the public eye.
• She never remarried and has no presence on social media.

Instead of seeking attention, Susan focused on honoring Dale’s memory. Her biggest contribution came years later with a deeply personal project.

The Book: Bucking Hollywood by Susan Dee Robbins

In 2019, Susan published Bucking Hollywood, a biography about Dale’s life and career. The book is packed with photographs, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and personal reflections only a spouse could provide.

What the Book Covers

• Dale’s childhood and rise to fame in Hollywood.
• His experience working on Western sets.
• Personal stories from their ranching life in Oklahoma.
• The philosophy Dale carried as both an actor and a cowboy.

This book is more than a biography—it’s Susan’s tribute to the man she loved. Fans of Westerns see it as a rare insider’s view of Robertson’s career and personal life.

Legacy of Susan Dee Robbins

Even though she avoided fame, Susan Dee Robbins left an undeniable mark:

• Preserver of Dale’s Legacy: Without her, many stories might have been lost.
• Model of Private Strength: She demonstrated that a partner’s support can make a career possible.
• Influence on Ranch Culture: Through her life in Oklahoma, she became part of America’s ranching tradition.

Lessons from Susan Dee Robbins’ Story

Her story offers insights into life, marriage, and loyalty:

1. Privacy Can Be Powerful – In a time when everyone shares everything online, Susan proved you don’t need publicity to live a meaningful life.
2. Partnership Matters – Her marriage with Dale shows that support behind the scenes can be as crucial as the spotlight.
3. Legacy Lives Through Stories – By publishing Bucking Hollywood, she ensured fans and historians could remember Dale Robertson authentically.

Table: Timeline of Susan Dee Robbins and Dale Robertson’s Life Together

Year	Event
Late 1970s	Susan meets Dale Robertson on a flight
1980	Married on February 2
1980–2013	Life on ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma
2013	Dale Robertson passes away
2019	Susan publishes Bucking Hollywood
2025	Susan lives privately, aged around 71

Conclusion

Though she never appeared in front of the camera, Susan Dee Robbins became a cornerstone of Dale Robertson’s life. She chose love, loyalty, and privacy over fame.

Her decision to live quietly doesn’t make her story less compelling. In fact, it makes her stand out in Hollywood history—a reminder that some of the most important figures are those who never step into the spotlight.

By documenting Dale’s journey in Bucking Hollywood, she gave fans a priceless gift: the real story of a cowboy legend, told by the woman who knew him best.