A Legacy of Love and Letters: Natasha Gregson Wagner on Family, Loss, and Resilience

In this heartfelt conversation with SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein, Natasha Gregson Wagner opens up about her journey of preserving her mother Natalie Wood’s legacy. Natasha shares poignant memories, discusses the impact of her mother’s passing, and reflects on how love, resilience, and family have shaped her life. Together, Amy and Natasha explore the healing power of remembrance, the importance of motherhood, and the strength it takes to honor a loved one’s legacy. Dive into this deeply personal interview to understand the bond between mother and daughter and the enduring impact of family.

Amy Cohen Epstein:
I am here today with Natasha Gregson Wagner, and I am so excited—not just to interview you but to hang out and really get into it. You may not remember this, but when my mom passed away 25 years ago, there was this blurry week—the last days of her life, the hospital, the funeral. I remember very few snippets from that time, but one thing that’s burned into my memory is when you took my arm and said, “My mom’s on the welcoming committee. Your mom will be okay.” It was something I held onto and have shared with friends who’ve lost their moms. Do you remember that?

Natasha Gregson Wagner:
I don’t remember saying that, but I do remember how much your mom meant to me. Losing her was like reliving some of my own loss because your mom was such a maternal figure for me. She was this incredible, welcoming force, and I spent so much time at your house. I’m so glad what I said resonated because sometimes you don’t know how your words will land... [Editor’s Note: Edited for clarity].

Amy:
It truly did. I’ve known you since I was about 10, and you were 16—one of my older sister’s best friends. I watched you all and learned from you, whether I knew it or not. Our house was always full of friends, and looking back, I think that openness was because of my mom. She loved having people over, making sure everyone felt welcome and fed. And you spent so much time with us growing up. At the time, I thought it was just fun, but now I realize it might have fulfilled a need for you, too.

Natasha:
Absolutely. Your house reminded me of the kind of home I would have had if my mom had lived. Your mom was warm, chic, beautiful, and everyone was welcome. I was drawn to that. I think your mom sensed I needed that maternal presence. I didn’t fully understand it back then, but there was this gravitational pull... [Editor’s Note: Edited for brevity and focus].

Amy:
It makes sense now. I remember my mom saying, “Natasha needs a mom,” in the most loving way. How old were you when your mom passed?

Natasha:
I was 11. Losing a mom at that age—it’s something you don’t fully grasp until you’re older. My little brother was 10 when my mom was diagnosed and 15 when she passed. Watching him go through that was eye-opening because it’s such a formative time... [Editor’s Note: Summarized for readability].

Amy:
Did you step into a maternal role for him?

Natasha:
Totally. I was always maternal, even when he was a baby. I’d be the one my mom would look to for little things like making sure he went to bed, even if there was a babysitter. Losing my mom at 21 shaped so much of my life. It’s been 25 years, and I feel like so many decisions I made as an adult were subconsciously influenced by her absence. A huge one was keeping her memory alive, but also how I parent my kids—I want to be present for them as much as possible. There’s always this thought, “You might not be here tomorrow,” so you need to savor every moment.

Amy:
I feel that deeply. I pour myself into my mom’s legacy, and being older than she ever was—it's a strange milestone.

Natasha:
Yes. She was diagnosed at 48, and I’m 47 now. Next year, I’ll reach that age, and it’s surreal. There’s something significant about crossing that threshold… [Editor’s Note: Edited for clarity and flow].

Amy:
When I reached the age my mom was when she died, it felt monumental. And now, I’m 10 years older than she ever got to be. With my daughter, I try to keep her memory alive, sharing funny stories and ways they’re alike. It’s healing.

Natasha:
Same. My boys call her “Grandma Lenny.” My middle son, who loves jewelry, recently found a necklace my mom gave me as a teen. When I told him the story, he was even more excited to wear it... [Editor’s Note: Summarized for conciseness].

Amy:
That’s beautiful. I share little things with Clover, like how my mom also loved chewing gum, just as she does. It keeps her spirit alive.

Natasha:
I agree. It’s important to share those quirks and make them real for our kids. But I also try not to idealize her too much. I want my kids to know she was amazing but also human.

Amy:
Yes, I get that. My mom wasn’t a movie star, but she was larger than life in her own way. She was magnetic, and people gravitated toward her. I’m grateful my friends from those days knew her, and I think that’s why I’ve kept some of them so close—they witnessed that part of my life.

Natasha:
I have friends from childhood who knew my family, my mom, and our dynamics. There’s a comfort in that shared history... [Editor’s Note: Edited to highlight sentiment].

Amy:
Exactly. When your mom is larger than life, like yours was, it’s nice to have people who were there to remember those golden times.

Natasha:
Absolutely. And being the one to carry on her legacy—it’s a huge responsibility, but it’s also healing. I want people to remember her for the person she was, not just her fame.

Amy:
Your documentary and fragrance are so meaningful. Bringing her scent to life must have been incredibly powerful.

Natasha:
It was. I didn’t know where it would go, but I worked with a perfumer to make it just right. It was a way to share her essence, to hold onto something that felt so “her.” Her fragrance has become a part of her legacy... [Editor’s Note: Summarized for focus on main theme].

Amy:
It’s beautiful. And with the 5K, I feel my mom’s presence so strongly. It’s where I feel most connected to her spirit and energy.

Natasha:
I’m sure she’d love that. It’s a community coming together, which is so in line with who she was. I feel the same way about my mom whenever I do something that embodies her warmth and generosity.

Amy:
Thank you, Natasha. I’m grateful to share this journey with you.

Natasha:
Thank you, Amy. This conversation means so much.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.