Ann-Margret, with her fiery beauty and undeniable talent, is truly one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. Known not only for her work on the big screen but also for her kind heart, she famously dated Elvis Presley and stood out as one of the few Hollywood celebrities who actively supported Vietnam troops.
Despite her legendary career and the admiration of millions, Ann-Margret believes that her greatest accomplishment lies somewhere else entirely.
Maybe it’s because of my own Swedish roots, but I’ve always had a special admiration for her. She’s more than just a star—she’s a genuine, warm, and classy woman whose charm continues to captivate and inspire audiences. Her humor and down-to-earth nature are unmatched, and unlike many in Hollywood, her beauty remains natural and unpretentious.
As recently as last year, Ann-Margret showed she’s still going strong by releasing her first-ever rock album, Born to Be Wild. The New York Times celebrated her musical debut, highlighting how even after all these years, she remains a force to be reckoned with.
Her story is nothing short of incredible. Born in Sweden, this two-time Oscar nominee made her mark in the 1960s with unforgettable roles in classics like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. Her romance with Elvis Presley might be famous, but the truth is, he wasn’t the true love of her life.
Meeting Roger Smith
Although Ann-Margret was linked to stars like Eddie Fisher and Elvis Presley, it was another man who would ultimately win her heart—Roger Smith. This handsome, dark-haired actor was already a big name, known for his roles in 77 Sunset Strip and Mister Roberts.
He had the kind of charm that made women fall for him instantly, but Ann-Margret wasn’t like the others.
“Every other woman I met was falling all over me,” Roger once recalled. “But this innocent, fresh-faced beauty only spoke to me when I spoke to her, and the rest of the time, she ignored me.”
The two met in the 1960s through their Hollywood connections but didn’t start dating seriously until 1965. It’s said that Roger invited her to one of his performances in San Francisco, but he also had another plan to win her over. He knew Ann-Margret loved motorcycles, and he figured if he got one, they could ride together.
“When I first started going out with her, there were a lot of guys hanging around,” Roger explained. “But they didn’t ride motorcycles. So I bought one, and we went out riding together. It helped.”
By their third date, Ann-Margret knew Roger was the one. “I knew he would protect me. I knew I could depend on him,” she told People in 2017. “I sensed it completely.”
Tears on Her Wedding Day
The couple got married in 1967, but their wedding didn’t go quite as planned. During the ceremony at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Ann-Margret began to cry. “This is not the way I envisioned my wedding,” she said. “I think everyone thought I was pregnant because I cried through the whole thing. But we did it.”
Despite the rocky start, their marriage was a dream come true. Roger became Ann-Margret’s manager, stepping away from his own acting career to support her. He believed in her talent so much that he sacrificed his own dreams for her success. “In Roger, I’ve found all the men I need—father, friend, lover, manager, businessman,” she said in 1972. “It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”
Roger’s guidance was crucial in transforming her career. He helped her move beyond her “sex kitten” image and take on more serious roles, including her critically acclaimed performance in Carnal Knowledge in 1971. Supporting Ann-Margret in this way brought Roger a happiness he hadn’t known before.
“When I met Ann-Margret, I felt happy for the first time in my life,” Roger admitted. “Once I found her, I couldn’t stand to be without her, and surprisingly, she couldn’t stand to be without me.”
Challenges: Substance Abuse & Injury
Though their relationship was filled with love, they faced tough times too. Ann-Margret struggled with addiction to pills and alcohol during the 1970s, which blurred the line between fantasy and reality for her. In 1972, she had a terrible accident while performing in Lake Tahoe. Falling from a 22-foot platform, she broke nearly every bone in her face.
It was a horrifying moment for the audience at the Sahara Hotel, but Ann-Margret miraculously survived. She underwent facial reconstructive surgery, and though her mouth had to be wired shut, she managed a speedy recovery. Just 10 days after the accident and 59 stitches later, she made a triumphant return to the stage, arriving on a Harley-Davidson and stunning the audience with her resilience.
Roger was her rock through it all. When the accident happened, he heroically flew a stolen plane from Burbank, California, to get her to the UCLA Medical Center, where she received life-saving care.
Roger Smith’s Illness
In 1980, their world changed again when Roger was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a debilitating disease that left him unable to get out of bed most mornings. For years, the couple struggled, both professionally and personally. Ann-Margret put her career on hold to care for him. “If you’re a spouse and one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over,” she explained.
Though his illness went into remission by 1985, giving Ann-Margret a chance to return to her nightclub career, the couple’s dreams of having children together never came true. Ann-Margret became a devoted stepmother to Roger’s three children from a previous marriage, but the fact that they never had kids of their own remained one of her greatest heartbreaks.
Saying Goodbye
Ann-Margret and Roger remained together until his passing in 2017. After battling Parkinson’s disease for many years, Roger died at 84 from complications related to myasthenia gravis. Ann-Margret was devastated but had no regrets about stepping away from her career to care for him during his illness.
“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. We loved each other, and we were always in each other’s corner.”
One iconic photo taken on January 1, 1985, captures the essence of their love. Standing side by side at a high-profile event, Roger and Ann-Margret radiated elegance and strength. Even though Roger was already battling illness, the depth of their bond shines through in their serene expressions, making it a timeless portrait of Hollywood royalty and a lasting testament to their incredible journey together.
