A famous redhead from the 1960s made a big sacrifice for love, stepping away from her career to care for her husband. Years later, what happened to this once-glamorous star?
Born in Sweden, the actress grew up surrounded by music. Her earliest memory was harmonizing with her mother to Swedish songs. “It was a big family, with my uncle playing the accordion,” she remembered. These early years shaped her love for music, and after moving to the U.S. at six, she began performing and dancing, eventually studying at Northwestern University.
However, it was Hollywood where she found success. After being discovered by George Burns, she quickly became a star. In the early 1960s, she was a hit with both music and films. Her film debut, Pocketful of Miracles, and her song “I Just Don’t Understand” helped her rise to fame. She became a sensation in movies like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley. Despite their chemistry on-screen, they remained friends off-screen until his death.
Though Hollywood loved her looks, she was often typecast and felt limited by her roles. In the late 1960s, she began focusing on European films. By 1970, she returned to Hollywood, balancing movies, TV, and Las Vegas performances. Her life changed when she met Roger Smith, a fellow actor. They married in 1967, and she became a stepmother to his three children. Though she longed for a child of her own, her attempts were unsuccessful.
Roger became her manager, helping reshape her career. Their bond grew stronger as they worked together, with Smith supporting her through every challenge. However, when he became seriously ill, she put her career on hold to care for him. “If one of us has a broken wing, the other takes over,” she explained.
Her husband passed away in 2017, but Ann-Margret has honored their life together. She stays connected with his children and remains active in acting and her community. Now in her 80s, she still enjoys life, reflecting on their love with pride.
