Margot Robbie estranged father Doug Robbie left the family when Margot was just five years old, resulting in the actress being raised predominantly by her mother, Sarie Kessler. Despite their physical proximity on the Gold Coast, the father-daughter relationship remains distant, with Margot rarely discussing Doug publicly and emphasizing the influential role her mother played in her life.
Background and Profile of Doug Robbie
Douglas Robbie is an Australian former businessman believed to be in his late 60s or early 70s. Once a farm owner and involved in the sugarcane industry, Doug separated from Sarie Kessler after several years together. He fathered four children with Sarie: Margot, Anya, Lachlan, and Cameron Robbie. Although separated, Doug reportedly continued financial support for the children’s education.
Doug Robbie’s Private Life and Family Dynamics
Doug Robbie was once described by New Idea magazine as a
“rich and powerful former farm owner and sugarcane tycoon.”
He lives near his ex-partner Sarie Kessler on the Gold Coast, where the family settled after the separation. Despite this proximity, Doug and Margot have maintained an estranged relationship since he left when she was very young.
Following the split in 1995, Sarie moved with her children from Queensland to the Gold Coast. The Robbie siblings spent much of their childhood on their grandparents’ farm in Currumbin Valley, away from their father’s presence. According to a source quoted by Yahoo Life, Doug supported the children’s private schooling but did not maintain consistent contact:
“Although he put them through private schools, he would go weeks without calling or visiting his kids. Doug was inconsistent; he never put in the work to be close to his kids.”
Margot has openly expressed discomfort discussing her father in interviews, telling Vogue in 2019,
“It is hard to mention him without it sounding like he is a bad person.”
Family Relationships: Siblings’ Connections with Doug
Among the Robbie siblings, only Lachlan retains a relationship with their father. In 2015, Lachlan posted a photo of himself and Doug on Instagram, acknowledging Doug’s role despite the unconventional family dynamic:
“Happy Father’s Day, Dad. We might not have the normal family, but you put us through school and helped me whenever I needed.”
Meanwhile, Anya and Margot have chosen to distance themselves from Doug. A source revealed:
“Anya and Margot do not want to know him. The former lets him see his grandson, Sebby, now and then, but she is unbothered by it.”
However, Doug’s brother Wayne Robbie, a real estate tycoon, contradicted claims of estrangement in a 2023 Daily Mail Australia interview, stating,
“Doug is a proud father. He does have a relationship with Margot.”
Margot Robbie’s Relationship with Her Mother
Margot credits her mother, Sarie Kessler, as the “strong woman” who raised her and her siblings without Doug’s presence. The actress often highlights Sarie’s resilience, describing her as “the world’s sweetest person” and praising her efforts in managing a household of four children alone. In 2017, Margot told The Resident:
“She was a single mother raising four kids on her own, and we did not make it easy for her. My siblings and I were always fighting, and she had to be a very strong woman to hold things together. She is an amazing woman.”
In a 2023 interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Margot reflected on the gratitude she feels toward her mother, recalling,
“I had written down everything I owed my mom growing up. Although I paid off my debt when I hit big, I kept the piece of paper because it was sentimental to me.”
Their close bond is also visible at public events, with Sarie having walked Margot down the aisle during her 2016 wedding to Tom Ackerley. Despite Doug attending the ceremony and expressing pride, it was Sarie who played that significant role in the wedding.
Doug Robbie’s Role in Margot’s Life Events
Doug Robbie attended Margot’s wedding in 2016 and commented on the occasion, saying,
“It was a beautiful wedding. I am proud of Margot and all my kids.”
When asked about the prospect of becoming a grandfather, he added,
“Margot will be an amazing mum; she will do a good job.”
In 2025, reports surfaced of a noticeable change in Doug and Margot’s relationship after they were seen together at an Easter family gathering. Neither party has publicly addressed this development, leaving the current status of their connection uncertain.
Margot Robbie: Age, Family, and Net Worth
Margot Robbie was born on July 2, 1990, in Dalby, Queensland, Australia, making her 35 years old as of February 2026. She attended Somerset College in Queensland before launching her acting career. Margot and her husband, Tom Ackerley, welcomed their first child in 2024, when she was 34 years old.
With a prominent career highlighted by roles in films such as The Legend of Tarzan, I, Tonya, and Wuthering Heights, Margot was the world’s highest-paid actress in 2023. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Margot Robbie has an estimated net worth of $60 million, accumulated through her successful acting career and lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Chanel and Nissan.
The Impact of Doug Robbie’s Absence on Margot’s Upbringing
Doug Robbie’s early departure from family life profoundly shaped Margot’s childhood, fostering a close relationship with her mother and an emotionally distant connection with her father. While Doug provided financial support, his inconsistent involvement left the primary caregiving to Sarie Kessler. Margot’s avoidance of father-related topics in interviews reflects the complexity of their estrangement.
The subtle shifts reported in 2025 suggest the possibility of renewed contact, but for now, the impact of Doug’s absence continues to underscore the significance of Sarie’s efforts in raising her children. Margot’s story highlights not only her rise to fame but also the resilience rooted in her family history and upbringing.
