I absolutely adore Ann-Margret — she radiates warmth, sweetness, and timeless class.

With her fiery beauty and undeniable talent, Ann-Margret captured hearts both on and off the screen. She famously dated Elvis Presley and stood out as one of the rare Hollywood stars who genuinely supported our troops during the Vietnam War.

But for all her fame and accolades, Ann-Margret believes her greatest achievements lie far beyond the glitz of Hollywood. Maybe it’s my deep connection to Sweden, but Ann-Margret has always held a special place in my heart. She’s simply extraordinary, and every chapter of her career speaks volumes about her brilliance. Her humor, genuine charm, and unpretentious, natural beauty continue to captivate and inspire — a rare treasure in an often superficial industry.

Even today, Ann-Margret shows no signs of slowing down. Just last year, the Swedish-American actress and singer released her debut rock album, Born to Be Wild, as reported by The New York Times.

To say Ann-Margret has lived a full life would be an understatement. Born in the north of Sweden, this two-time Oscar nominee made her mark in Hollywood with unforgettable performances in 1960s classics like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas.

Her electric romance with Elvis Presley is the stuff of legend — and you can read more about it here — but in truth, Elvis was never the love of her life.

Enter Roger Smith.
While Ann-Margret was linked to stars like Eddie Fisher and Elvis, it was Roger Smith who ultimately captured her heart. A dashing, dark-haired actor known for his standout roles in 77 Sunset Strip and Mister Roberts, Roger was the quintessential Hollywood heartthrob — effortlessly charming, endlessly captivating. And in Ann-Margret, he found his perfect match.

But Ann-Margret was not so easily won over.

“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 completely ignored me.”

Their paths first crossed in the glimmering world of 1960s Hollywood, but it wasn’t until 1965 that their connection deepened into something truly special.

Some say Roger first lured the captivating Swedish star to one of his performances at a San Francisco club. Yet, ever the charmer, he had more than just a stage show planned — Roger had a few tricks up his sleeve to capture Ann-Margret’s heart.

Roger knew he had some competition for Ann-Margret’s heart — and he was willing to go the extra mile to win her over.

He discovered that Ann-Margret was a passionate motorcycle enthusiast, with a collection of bikes and an entire wardrobe of riding gear waiting at home.

“When I first started going out with her, there were a lot of guys hanging around,” Roger told NEA. “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.”

And it certainly did. By their third date, Ann-Margret already knew deep down that Roger Smith was the man she had been searching for her whole life.

“I knew he would protect me. I knew I could depend on him. I sensed it completely,” she later shared with People in 2017.

Tears of Sadness — and Joy
In 1967, Ann-Margret and Roger tied the knot in Las Vegas — but the ceremony didn’t go exactly as she had dreamed. In a cigarette-smoke-filled room at the Riviera Hotel, the glamorous Bye Bye Birdie star found herself in tears.

“This is not the way I envisioned my wedding,” she admitted to People, adding, “I think everyone thought I was pregnant because I was crying through the whole thing. But we did it.”

Fortunately, the imperfect wedding didn’t matter. What they built together after that day was everything Ann-Margret had ever hoped for.

Roger, ever devoted, soon stepped away from his own acting career to manage Ann-Margret’s rising stardom. He believed in her with all his heart, often saying she had more “raw talent” than he did — and he was determined to help her shine.

“In Roger, I’ve found all the men I need rolled into one — a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman,” Ann-Margret confided to Rex Reed in 1972.

“It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”

Roger Smith wasn’t just her partner in love — he was the steady force behind her evolving career. Understanding the dangers of being typecast, he helped guide Ann-Margret away from the “sex kitten” image that had once defined her. Thanks to Roger’s insight and encouragement, she embraced more complex, challenging roles, culminating in her powerhouse performance in Carnal Knowledge (1971).

By supporting Ann-Margret’s dreams, Roger discovered something even greater — a deeper love for himself.

“When I met Ann-Margret, I felt happy for the first time in my life,” he told New York magazine. “Once I found Ann-Margret, I couldn’t stand to be without her — and, surprisingly, she couldn’t stand to be without me.”

Battling Demons and Defying the Odds
Their marriage was a testament to resilience. Despite the glamour and success, Ann-Margret and Roger faced their share of battles.

In the 1970s, Ann-Margret struggled with substance abuse, wrestling with addiction to pills and alcohol. Caught between the fantasy of stardom and the harshness of reality, she found herself spiraling.

Then, in 1972, tragedy struck. While performing in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Ann-Margret suffered a horrific accident — a 22-foot fall from a platform during a live show. Before a stunned audience at the Sahara Hotel, she plummeted into the orchestra pit, breaking nearly every bone in her face. Miraculously, she survived — but the road to recovery would be long and grueling.

Ann-Margret’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. After undergoing extensive facial reconstructive surgery — her mouth wired shut and surviving on a strict liquid diet — she defied all odds.

Just 10 days and 59 stitches after her devastating fall, Ann-Margret made a triumphant return to the stage. True to her fearless spirit, she roared onto the scene atop her gleaming Harley-Davidson, captivating the audience once again with her dazzling flair and unbreakable spirit.

Behind the scenes, Roger Smith was her rock. When the accident occurred, Roger, desperate to get her the best care, commandeered a plane from Burbank, California, and flew Ann-Margret to the surgeons at UCLA Medical Center. His quick thinking and devotion undoubtedly saved her life.

Roger Smith’s Battle
Their love story, however, would be tested once more. In 1980, Roger Smith was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare and incurable neuromuscular disease. The illness often left him too weak to get out of bed, bringing their whirlwind life to a halt.

Roger, once the mastermind behind Ann-Margret’s flourishing career, had no choice but to step back. Their lives changed drastically — travel became impossible, and many of their plans were put on hold.

Yet their bond only grew stronger. By 1985, Roger’s disease had gone into remission, allowing Ann-Margret to relaunch her career on the nightclub circuit. With Roger’s steady encouragement and support, she reclaimed her place in the spotlight, especially with her dazzling Las Vegas performances.

For a while, hope and happiness returned — a testament to their unwavering love and resilience.

When Roger’s symptoms went into remission, the couple made one last heartfelt attempt to have children of their own.

Before that, Ann-Margret had fully embraced her role as stepmother to Roger’s three children from a previous marriage, showering them with love and care. But despite their hopes and consultations with numerous fertility specialists, their dream of having a child together remained out of reach.

Ann-Margret later admitted it was one of the deepest sorrows of her life — a quiet heartache beneath her radiant public smile.

A Love That Endured
Through every joy and heartbreak, Ann-Margret and Roger Smith remained devoted to one another. Their love story, one of Hollywood’s most enduring, lasted right up until Roger’s passing in 2017.

Roger Smith died at the age of 84 at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles, succumbing to complications from myasthenia gravis — the same disease he had fought with such bravery for decades.

Even as she mourned the loss of the man who had been her anchor, Ann-Margret’s heart remained full of gratitude for the life and love they had shared — a once-in-a-lifetime bond that neither time nor tragedy could break.

In the years leading up to his passing, Roger Smith also battled Parkinson’s disease. His declining health demanded even more from Ann-Margret, who selflessly stepped away from her career to become his full-time caregiver.

“I kept saying no, no to everything because I was taking care of him,” she shared. “If you’re a spouse, if one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over.”

It was an act of pure devotion — and a reflection of the love that had always defined their relationship.

Naturally, Ann-Margret was heartbroken when Roger passed. But in true Ann-Margret fashion, she found a way to hold onto the beauty of what they had built together — and to move forward with grace.

“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 work. We were together night and day. We loved each other, and we were always in each other’s corner.”

A Timeless Image of Love
To truly understand the love story of Ann-Margret and Roger Smith, one only has to look at a photograph taken on January 1, 1985, in New York City.

Captured at a high-profile event, the couple radiates elegance and grace — Hollywood royalty at their finest. Yet this photo is more than just a glamorous memory. Behind Roger’s steady gaze and Ann-Margret’s serene smile lies a deeper story: a bond forged through triumphs, struggles, and unwavering loyalty.

The rich green curtains in the background lend the image a regal air, but the true majesty comes from the couple themselves. You can sense the quiet courage in Roger’s eyes, the early signs of the battles he would bravely face. And yet, what shines brightest is their enduring love — unshaken, unstoppable.

It’s more than a photograph; it’s a testament. A moment frozen in time that tells the world: real love is not about perfection — it’s about standing strong together, no matter what.

Share this story with someone who appreciates timeless love, and let’s remember how this remarkable couple faced life’s challenges with grace.