Ann-Margret, the fiery Swedish-American icon who dazzled Hollywood in Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas, has lived a life filled with glamour, resilience, and grace. Though she famously dated Elvis Presley, her true love was actor Roger Smith — the man who became her husband, manager, and lifelong companion. They met in the 1960s and married in 1967. Their wedding may have been chaotic, but their union proved unshakable.
Roger left his own acting career to guide Ann-Margret’s, helping her evolve beyond her “sex symbol” image into one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses. “In Roger, I found all the men I need rolled into one,” she once said.

Together, they endured life’s hardest tests — from Ann-Margret’s devastating 1972 accident, which shattered her face, to Roger’s battle with myasthenia gravis and Parkinson’s disease. Through it all, they remained inseparable. When Roger fell ill, Ann-Margret paused her career to care for him, saying, “If one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over.”

Their 50-year marriage ended only with his passing in 2017. “When I look back, I’m most proud of my marriage,” she reflected. “We loved each other and were always in each other’s corner.” Ann-Margret continues to shine — a woman of strength, beauty, and unwavering devotion. Her story reminds us that true love isn’t about fame or perfection, but about loyalty, partnership, and grace through time.