Ann-Margret has always carried herself with a grace and sincerity that set her apart in the world of Hollywood. Her warmth, elegance, and charisma made her not only a captivating performer but also an unforgettable presence in real life. While her fame includes a well-known romance with Elvis Presley and her unwavering support for American soldiers during the Vietnam War, those close to her know that her truest pride lies elsewhere.
Despite her long list of accolades, including two Oscar nominations and a decades-spanning career in music and film, Ann-Margret never measured success by public acclaim alone. For her, fulfillment was rooted in something far deeper and more personal.
Maybe it’s the shared heritage—her strong Swedish roots—that draw me to her even more, but there’s something magnetic about her presence. Whether on stage or screen, she captures attention not with artifice, but with an authenticity that’s become increasingly rare in show business. Even as the years have passed, her beauty remains untouched by vanity or pretension.
Last year, The New York Times noted her release of *Born to Be Wild*, her first rock album, proving that even after all this time, Ann-Margret still has more to share.
Her journey began in northern Sweden, where she was born before moving to the United States and rising to fame in the 1960s with hits like *Bye Bye Birdie* and *Viva Las Vegas*. Though her passionate relationship with Elvis remains one of Hollywood’s most talked-about romances, it was never the defining love of her life.
That honor belonged to someone else—Roger Smith.
Before Ann-Margret met the man who would become her husband, she dated high-profile names like Elvis and Eddie Fisher. But none could compare to Roger. A classic Hollywood leading man with brooding good looks, Roger made a name for himself in films such as *Mr. Roberts* and the popular series *77 Sunset Strip*. Accustomed to attention, he was surprised when Ann-Margret didn’t fall at his feet like so many others.
He later recalled how she barely acknowledged him at first, which only piqued his interest. They eventually started dating seriously in 1965, but not before Roger figured out one clever way to get closer to her—he bought a motorcycle. Ann-Margret was known for her love of bikes and riding gear, and Roger knew sharing that interest could bring them together. It worked.
After just a few dates, Ann-Margret knew he was the one. She felt safe with him, trusted him completely, and was certain of his strength and loyalty. Their connection only deepened over time, and they were married in 1967.
Their wedding day, however, didn’t go quite as planned. Held in a smoky room at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Ann-Margret wept throughout the ceremony. People whispered that she must be pregnant. In truth, she was just overwhelmed. “This wasn’t the wedding I imagined,” she admitted later. But the tears faded quickly, and what followed was a bond that would last half a century.
Roger gave up his own acting career to manage Ann-Margret’s. He saw in her a depth of talent that outshone his own and was determined to help her reach her potential. He believed in her completely, and that belief transformed her career. Thanks to his guidance, Ann-Margret evolved from the “sex symbol” image Hollywood had cast her into a serious actress, leading to more complex and dramatic roles—most notably in *Carnal Knowledge* in 1971.
She once described Roger as everything she ever needed—father, friend, lover, manager, partner. He was her constant, and his sacrifices only deepened her admiration for him. Roger later said he had never truly felt fulfilled until he met her. From the moment they became a couple, he couldn’t imagine life without her.
Their marriage had its share of trials. Ann-Margret struggled with addiction in the 1970s, losing her grip on reality in a haze of alcohol and pills. Then, in 1972, she suffered a devastating fall from a 22-foot platform during a performance in Lake Tahoe, shattering bones in her face. Her injuries required reconstructive surgery, her jaw wired shut, and a liquid diet during recovery. But within days, she returned to the stage—fierce and unstoppable—riding her Harley-Davidson like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Roger, once again, was at her side. He personally flew her to UCLA Medical Center in a borrowed plane to ensure she received the best care.
Then, in 1980, the course of their marriage shifted again when Roger was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a chronic neuromuscular disease. At times, he couldn’t get out of bed. Their lifestyle changed. He could no longer manage her career as before, and she became the caretaker.
By 1985, the illness entered remission, and Roger helped revive her career in nightclubs, including popular performances in Las Vegas. Hope returned, and they decided to try once more to start a family. Ann-Margret had always cared deeply for Roger’s three children from a previous marriage, but she longed for one of their own. Unfortunately, despite seeing several fertility specialists, the dream of having children together never came true. She later admitted that this remained one of her life’s deepest regrets.
When Roger passed away in 2017 due to complications from myasthenia gravis and Parkinson’s disease, Ann-Margret was heartbroken. She had devoted herself to him during his long illness, turning down work to be by his side. “When you’re married, you take care of each other,” she said. “If one of you is sick, the other steps in.”
She grieved, but she also found strength in the memory of what they had built together.
Looking back, she said, “The thing I’m proudest of in my entire life is my marriage. We both wanted it to last. And it did. We were together all the time. We were always there for each other. We loved one another deeply.”
One photograph, taken in New York on New Year’s Day, 1985, captures the essence of their love story. Surrounded by glamour and success, their bond radiates through the image. The elegant green curtains behind them, the confident way she looks ahead, and Roger’s quiet pride—all of it tells a story more powerful than words. The signs of his illness were already present, subtle but visible, yet they stood strong together.
That picture is more than a memory—it is a reflection of a partnership grounded in love, sacrifice, and mutual respect.
Ann-Margret’s life has been full of dazzling moments, heartbreak, and triumph. But at the heart of it all is a simple truth: love, when real and enduring, is the most precious legacy anyone can leave behind.