A dazzling star of the 1960s made the ultimate sacrifice for love, stepping back from her career to care for her ailing husband. Now, years later, what became of the redheaded beauty who once ruled Hollywood?
Her journey, however, was more than just a tale of glitz and glamour — it was also a story of sacrifice, love, and resilience. Born in a small Swedish village, the actress grew up surrounded by music. “From when I was 4 years old in Sweden, I would get up and harmonize with my mother to Swedish songs,” she remembered
“We lived in the same house with Mormor, my mother’s mother, and my uncle, who played the accordion. It was quite a group!” the actress continued.
She also credited these early years for her love of melody, saying
, “My first musical memory was of the accordion. It was during World War II, and there were a lot of beautiful songs.”
After immigrating to America at six years old, her family settled in Illinois, where she began nurturing her love for performance. She dazzled with her voice and dance in her youth, eventually studying at Northwestern University.
But academia couldn’t hold her — her sights were set on stardom. Her big break
came when George Burns discovered her and introduced her to Hollywood. By the early 1960s, she was not just a rising star but a sensation.
Her single “I Just Don’t Understand” climbed the charts, and her film debut in “Pocketful of Miracles” further showcased her talent. The following years solidified her as a box office draw with starring roles in “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Viva Las Vegas” opposite Elvis Presley.
While her chemistry with Presley lit up the screen, their off-screen bond also captured attention. The two reportedly dated and remained close friends until his death. “Everyone knows how I felt about him and the friendship that we had all these years. It was very, very private,” she revealed
.The TV star and Elvis Presley on the set of “Viva Las Vegas” in 1964. | Source: Getty Images
As her fame grew, the actress was marketed as Hollywood’s hottest young star, but her stunning looks came with a downside. She was typecast as a risqué figure, with critics dismissing her as a cartoon character.
Determined to prove her versatility, she sought roles that would allow her to grow as an artist. By the late 1960s, her career had slowed, and she turned to European projects for a fresh start. However, by 1970, she triumphantly returned to Hollywood, balancing film, television, and Las Vegas performances.
Amid her Hollywood success, the star’s life took a significant turn when she met Roger Smith, a charismatic actor
and budding talent. Smith, born in California and raised in Arizona, had shown promise in academics and athletics before venturing into entertainment.
He pursued acting after a chance encounter with James Cagney, who encouraged him to try his luck in Hollywood. With roles in television and films, including his popular series “77 Sunset Strip,” Smith became a household name.
Before meeting the beautiful actress, he had been married to Australian actress Victoria Shaw, with whom he had three children — Tracey, Jordan, and Dallas. However, his marriage ended in divorce; shortly afterward, he crossed paths with the redheaded icon.
Their connection was instant. “I knew I was going to marry him on the third date,” she said
. “I knew he would protect me. I knew that I could depend on him,” the actress
revealed.
It wasn’t long before they tied the knot in 1967, with her stepping into her new role as a stepmother to her actor husband’s young children. “I met them when they were 3, 6, and 7,” she fondly recalled, speaking of how they became a family.
However, she also had a deep desire to have a child of her own, revealing that she had been trying to conceive for 13 years without success. Over the years, the actress explored various options but eventually stopped trying.
Reflecting on her journey, she said
, “The point is, if I am meant to have a child, I will have one. Whatever my higher power feels is right for me, I will accept.”
Nonetheless, as the couple’s marriage blossomed, so did their professional partnership. Smith left acting and became her manager, determined to reshape her career and help her shed her risqué image.
Together, they worked to prove her acting prowess, selecting roles that showcased her depth. “The critics had an image of me, and they wouldn’t accept any other,” she admitted
. Smith’s support was unwavering, and their teamwork paid off with her dramatic success in films like “Carnal Knowledge.”
“They couldn’t stand to be apart from each other, being on film sets on opposite ends of the country,” a friend once said
. Managing her career allowed Smith to remain by her side, both personally and professionally.
“Now in Roger, I’ve found all the men I need rolled into one — a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman,” she said
in 1972. “It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”
Their love story, however, was tested by unforeseen challenges. Smith was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and later Parkinson’s disease. As his health
worsened, she prioritized his care over her career. “I kept saying, ‘No, no, no,’ to everything because I was taking care of him,” she
explained.
“If you’re a spouse, if one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over,” the actress added
. She devoted herself to his well-being for years, demonstrating a quiet strength and loyalty that became the cornerstone of their marriage.
However, while her film career slowed
, she continued to land roles in various television dramas, including “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles” and “Who Will Love My Children?”
This actress is none other than Ann-Margret, who deeply mourned her late husband after he passed away
in 2017 at 84. In light of his death, the Hollywood star honors his memory by cherishing the life they built together.
“To her, a great love story doesn’t end with death. You carry their spirit with you,” a friend shared
. Now in her 80s, the actress lives in the Los Angeles home she and Smith purchased in 1968.
She reflected on their union with pride, saying
, “When I look back at my life, I am most proud of my marriage. We both wanted it to work. And it did work. We were together night and day. We loved each other and were always in each other’s corner.”
Since Smith’s passing, Ann-Margret has stayed connected with his children and their families. “Her stepdaughter Tracey and stepsons Jordan and Dallas all adore her,” an insider revealed
. “She is a doting grandmother to all their kids. She sees them, speaks to them, and Zooms with them all frequently.”
Although she misses him daily, Ann-Margret has found ways to embrace life again. She returned to acting with a role in “The Kominsky Method” following a personal invite from the star of the series, actor Alan Arkin.
“He said, ‘You’ve got to get back to work!’ At the very end, I said to him, ‘You were right,'” the icon
recalled
. She also reconnected with old pals and stays active with a close-knit group of friends, many of whom she has worked with throughout her career.
Together, they’ve formed an informal walking group. “On Monday, there might be three of us. Another day, there might be 15. We go to a different place every weekend to walk. I’m excited to go,” she
shared.The redhead released an album, “Born to Be Wild,” and a collection of her favorite songs from the 1960s. “I haven’t done an album for like 100 years! I had a ball doing it!” she said
of the project. Today, Ann-Margret
remains an icon of grace and resilience. “I’m in my home that we bought back in 1968. The sun is shining, and I’m looking out over the pool. I’m actually very happy,” she shared
. Though her greatest love is no longer by her side, she carries his spirit with her in every step forward.