Ann-Margret is truly a one-of-a-kind star—warm, classy, and overflowing with talent. She’s a legend known not just for her beauty and acting chops but for her real, down-to-earth personality.
Over the years, she’s captivated the world both on and off the screen, and she even famously dated Elvis Presley! But despite all her glamorous relationships and her iconic Hollywood career, Ann-Margret believes her biggest success lies elsewhere.
Ann-Margret’s roots trace back to Sweden, and maybe that’s part of why she’s remained so grounded. To this day, she’s a fan favorite, and her body of work speaks for itself. Her charm, humor, and sincerity make her impossible to ignore. Even in a world filled with flashy Hollywood stars, she stands out with her natural beauty and unpretentious elegance.
In fact, just last year, Ann-Margret surprised fans by releasing her first-ever rock album Born to Be Wild, which The New York Times reported on. It’s yet another example of how, even after so many years, she continues to reinvent herself and keep things fresh.
Ann-Margret’s rise to fame began with unforgettable roles in the 1960s, starring in classics like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. While her romance with Elvis Presley made headlines, it wasn’t Elvis who would become the true love of her life.
Meeting Roger Smith
Though she had her share of high-profile romances with stars like Eddie Fisher and Elvis, it was Roger Smith who ultimately captured Ann-Margret’s heart. Roger, a handsome, dark-haired actor, was already a Hollywood heartthrob thanks to his roles in hits like 77 Sunset Strip and Mister Roberts.
With his good looks and charm, women often fell head over heels for him. But Ann-Margret wasn’t like other women.
“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 first met in the early 1960s, and though sparks didn’t fly immediately, by 1965, they were dating seriously. Some say Roger invited her to one of his performances in San Francisco, but he had another trick up his sleeve to win her heart.
Ann-Margret was passionate about motorcycles—she had several of her own and loved to ride. Roger saw an opportunity. “When I first started going out with her, there were a lot of guys hanging around,” Roger admitted.
“But they didn’t ride motorcycles. So I figured if I had one, it would help. 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.”
A Rough Start to a Happy Marriage
In 1967, Ann-Margret and Roger tied the knot in a Las Vegas wedding, but things didn’t go as smoothly as they’d hoped. During the ceremony, held in a smoky room at the Riviera Hotel, Ann-Margret began to cry. “This is not the way I envisioned my wedding,” she shared.
“I think everyone thought I was pregnant because I was crying through the whole thing. But we did it.”
Despite the shaky start, their marriage was a dream come true for Ann-Margret. Roger became more than just a husband—he was also her manager, giving up his own acting career to support hers. He believed Ann-Margret had more raw talent than he did, and he wanted to see her reach her full potential.
“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 told Rex Reed in 1972. “It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”
Roger helped reshape her career, guiding her away from the “sex kitten” image she had early on. With his support, she took on more challenging roles, like her breakout performance in Carnal Knowledge in 1971. Roger found a deep sense of fulfillment by standing beside her, putting her dreams before his own.
“When I met Ann-Margret, I felt happy for the first time in my life,” Roger said. “Once I found Ann-Margret, I couldn’t stand to be without her, and surprisingly, she couldn’t stand to be without me.”
Battling Challenges Together
Their relationship wasn’t always easy, though. Ann-Margret faced tough personal battles, struggling with substance abuse in the 1970s. She had a hard time separating fantasy from reality, which led her to abuse pills and alcohol.
In 1972, during a performance in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Ann-Margret suffered a life-threatening accident, falling from a 22-foot platform and breaking almost every bone in her face. She narrowly escaped death, and Roger was there every step of the way.
He even piloted a stolen plane from California to rush her to UCLA Medical Center, where she underwent reconstructive surgery. Amazingly, just 10 days after the accident, Ann-Margret made her triumphant return to the stage, riding her Harley-Davidson and proving once again that she was a true survivor.
Roger’s own health challenges came years later. In 1980, he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease that often left him bedridden. This drastically changed their lives, both personally and professionally, as Roger was no longer able to manage Ann-Margret’s career. But in 1985, his illness went into remission, and the couple tried to have children of their own.
Sadly, despite consulting fertility experts, they never succeeded, something Ann-Margret has called one of her greatest disappointments.
Roger Smith’s Passing
The couple remained together for 50 years, until Roger’s death in 2017 at age 84 from complications related to myasthenia gravis and Parkinson’s disease. Ann-Margret stood by his side throughout his illness, showing unwavering devotion. “If you’re a spouse, if one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over,” she explained.
Despite the heartache, Ann-Margret looks back on their marriage with pride. “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,” she told Closer Weekly.
A Love for the Ages
One image that captures their love perfectly was taken on January 1, 1985, in New York. The couple, dressed in elegance, looked every bit like Hollywood royalty. With Roger’s illness subtly visible, the picture speaks volumes about their bond—one of strength, love, and loyalty. It’s a reminder of the life they built together, standing side by side no matter the challenges.
Ann-Margret’s legacy goes beyond her work in Hollywood. It’s her love story with Roger Smith, the strength they showed together, and the memories they made that define her life.
