I have to tell you, Ann-Margret is truly one of a kind – a warm, sweet, and classy woman with a fiery beauty that makes her unforgettable.
She’s a Hollywood legend, known for her stunning looks and incredible talent. She lit up the screen, dated icons like Elvis Presley, and earned a special place in people’s hearts by being one of the few stars who wholeheartedly supported the Vietnam troops.
But as much as the world admires her for her career and fame, Ann-Margret believes her greatest achievement lies somewhere else.
It might be my connection to Sweden, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Ann-Margret. She’s simply incredible, and her work speaks for itself. With her delightful humor and genuine charm, she’s continued to inspire people for decades. Unlike many in Hollywood, her beauty has remained timeless and natural, never pretentious.
Just last year, the Swedish-American actress and singer released her debut rock album, Born to Be Wild, as reported by The New York Times – proving once again she’s still got it.
To say that Ann-Margret has lived through it all is no exaggeration. She’s an iconic two-time Oscar nominee who was born in Sweden and rose to fame with unforgettable roles in 1960s classics like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas.
You can read all about her electric romance with Elvis Presley, but believe it or not, he wasn’t the true love of her life.
Meeting Roger Smith
Even though she dated big stars like Eddie Fisher and Elvis Presley, it was Roger Smith who stole her heart.
Roger, with his dark hair and handsome face, was already well-known for his roles in hits like 77 Sunset Strip and Mister Roberts. He had the look of a classic Hollywood heartthrob and was used to women falling for him instantly.
But Ann-Margret was different. She wasn’t easy to win over.
“Every other woman I met was falling all over me,” Roger recalled. “But this innocent, fresh-faced beauty only spoke to me when I spoke to her and the rest of the time ignored me.”
The two crossed paths in the 1960s through their Hollywood connections. It wasn’t until 1965 that they started dating seriously. Some reports say Roger first invited her to one of his performances at a San Francisco club, but he had another plan in mind too.
He knew Ann-Margret loved motorcycles. She had several bikes at home and an entire wardrobe of motorcycle gear.
“When I first started going out with her, there were a lot of guys hanging around. But they didn’t ride motorcycles. So I figured if I had one, it would help,” Roger said. “I bought one, and we went out riding together. It helped.”
By their third date, Ann-Margret was sure Roger was the man she had been looking for all along.
“I knew he would protect me. I knew I could depend on him. I sensed it completely,” she told People in 2017.
Tears of Sadness
The couple got married in 1967, but their wedding didn’t go as planned. During the ceremony in Las Vegas, in a smoky room at the Riviera Hotel, Ann-Margret burst into tears.
“This is not the way I envisioned my wedding,” she later shared with People. “I think everyone thought I was pregnant because I was crying through the whole thing. But we did it.”
In the end, the difficult wedding day didn’t matter. What mattered was that they had each other.
Roger soon became Ann-Margret’s manager. He believed in her, admired her talent, and even gave up his own acting career to support hers. He felt that Ann-Margret had more “raw talent” than he did, and wanted to stay close to her.
“Now, in Roger, I’ve found all the men I need rolled into one – a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman,” Ann-Margret said in 1972. “It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”
Roger helped her reshape her career, steering her away from the “sex kitten” image. He knew she needed to evolve to stay relevant, and it worked. His guidance led her to take on more complex roles, like in Carnal Knowledge in 1971, which became a breakthrough moment for her.
Roger found joy in supporting Ann-Margret, and it gave his life new meaning. He once said, “When I met Ann-Margret, I felt happy for the first time in my life. Once I found her, I couldn’t stand to be without her, and surprisingly, she couldn’t stand to be without me.”
Battles with Substance Abuse and Injury
Their marriage was full of love, but it wasn’t without its struggles. Ann-Margret faced tough times, including battles with substance abuse and a near-fatal injury.
In the 1970s, the Viva Las Vegas star found herself addicted to pills and alcohol, struggling to separate her Hollywood fantasies from reality. Then, in 1972, a horrible accident happened.
The fall happened in front of a live audience at the Sahara Hotel. She narrowly escaped death and had to undergo facial reconstructive surgery. Her mouth was wired shut, and she was on a liquid diet to recover.
But just 10 days after the accident and 59 stitches later, Ann-Margret made a stunning comeback. She returned to the stage on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, roaring back with all the style and energy she was known for.
Roger played a huge role in her recovery. When the accident happened, he flew a stolen plane from Burbank to get her to the UCLA Medical Center, making sure she got the immediate care she needed.
Roger’s Illness
Their lives took another turn in 1980 when Roger was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a disease that weakened his muscles and often left him unable to even get out of bed. His illness forced him to step back from managing Ann-Margret’s career.
By 1985, Roger’s condition improved, and Ann-Margret was able to restart her nightclub career with his support. They returned to the stage together in Las Vegas, but there was still one dream they couldn’t achieve – having children together.
Despite consulting fertility experts and trying everything, they never had children of their own. Ann-Margret became a stepmother to Roger’s three children from a previous marriage, but the inability to have kids remains one of her biggest regrets.
Roger’s Passing
Ann-Margret and Roger Smith remained together until his death in 2017. Roger passed away at 84 from complications of myasthenia gravis and Parkinson’s disease.
During his illness, Ann-Margret stood by his side, putting her career on hold to take care of him. “If one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over,” she said.
When Roger passed away, Ann-Margret was heartbroken but found strength in their love. “When I look back at my life, I am most proud of my marriage,” she told Closer Weekly. “We both wanted it to work, and it did. We were together night and day, always in each other’s corner.”
A Lasting Legacy
One powerful image that captures their love is a photograph taken in New York on January 1, 1985. It shows them radiating elegance and charm, both in the prime of their careers. Behind their smiles, though, is a quiet awareness of the battles they were fighting, especially Roger’s health struggles.
The picture is more than a glamorous snapshot – it’s a testament to their enduring love, strength, and the legacy they built together.