Ann-Margret has always been a beloved figure, known for her warmth, elegance, and charm. A star whose beauty and talent captivated both audiences and those around her, she was famously linked with Elvis Presley and stood out for her unwavering support of U.S. troops during the Vietnam War.
Despite her iconic career, the Swedish-American actress believes her greatest accomplishment lies in a different area of her life.
As someone who feels a deep connection to her Swedish roots, I find Ann-Margret particularly inspiring. Her work, filled with humor and genuine charm, continues to leave a lasting impact, and her natural beauty stands in stark contrast to many of Hollywood’s more artificial appearances.
Ann-Margret’s talents are ever-present, and just last year, she released her debut rock album, Born to Be Wild, as noted by The New York Times.
Ann-Margret, a two-time Oscar nominee, truly seems to have experienced it all. She made a significant impact in the 1960s with roles in classics like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. While her high-profile romance with Elvis Presley is well-documented, the truth is that he was never the love of her life.
The Love of Her Life: Roger Smith
While Ann-Margret’s romantic history includes high-profile relationships with stars like Eddie Fisher and Elvis Presley, it was Roger Smith who ultimately captured her heart.
Roger Smith, a strikingly handsome actor known for his roles in 77 Sunset Strip and Mister Roberts, had been a heartthrob for many women in Hollywood. However, Ann-Margret wasn’t easily won over.
“I met a lot of women who fawned over me,” Roger recalled. “But Ann-Margret, this innocent beauty, only spoke to me when I spoke to her and largely ignored me otherwise.”
Their paths first crossed in the 1960s through their work in Hollywood, but it wasn’t until 1965 that they began dating seriously. Some reports suggest Roger first invited Ann-Margret to one of his performances in San Francisco. He also knew of her passion for motorcycles—she owned several and had an entire wardrobe of gear.
In an effort to bond with her, Roger bought a motorcycle, and they began riding together. By their third date, Ann-Margret knew Roger was the man she had been searching for.
“I knew he would protect me, and I could depend on him,” she shared in 2017. “I sensed it completely.”
Their Wedding and Early Marriage
The couple married in 1967, and while their marriage was everything Ann-Margret had dreamed of, their wedding day didn’t go as she had envisioned. At their Las Vegas ceremony in a smoke-filled room at the Riviera Hotel, she found herself in tears throughout the event.
Ann-Margret explained to People, “I think everyone assumed I was pregnant because I cried the whole time. But we did it.”
Fortunately, this rocky start didn’t overshadow their marriage. Soon after, Roger became Ann-Margret’s manager. He admired her immense talent and sacrificed his own acting career to support her. Roger believed Ann-Margret had more “raw talent” than he did, and he wanted to be by her side.
“I’ve found everything in Roger—father, friend, lover, manager, businessman,” Ann-Margret said in 1972. “I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”
Roger helped her transition away from her “sex kitten” image and encouraged her to embrace more complex roles, eventually leading to her breakout performance in Carnal Knowledge (1971).
For Roger, being with Ann-Margret brought fulfillment. “When I met Ann-Margret, I finally felt happy. I couldn’t bear to be without her, and she couldn’t stand to be without me either,” he revealed.
Challenges Along the Way
Throughout their marriage, Ann-Margret and Roger faced both triumphs and difficulties. She battled substance abuse and a devastating injury that nearly ended her career.
In the 1970s, Ann-Margret struggled with addiction to pills and alcohol, often blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. In 1972, she suffered a horrific fall from a 22-foot platform while performing in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, breaking nearly every bone in her face. Her fall into an orchestra pit, witnessed by a shocked audience, could have been fatal.
She underwent extensive facial reconstructive surgery, requiring her mouth to be wired shut. Despite the severity of her injuries, Ann-Margret made a stunning recovery, and just ten days later, she returned to the stage, riding her Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Roger was a vital part of her recovery. When the accident occurred, he piloted a stolen plane from Burbank, California, to rush her to UCLA Medical Center for immediate treatment.
Roger’s Illness
In 1980, Roger Smith was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a debilitating and incurable neuromuscular disease. This condition left him unable to even get out of bed, and the couple faced significant personal and professional challenges. Roger had to step back from managing Ann-Margret’s career, but by 1985, his illness went into remission.
With Roger’s health improving, Ann-Margret revived her career, particularly in Las Vegas. For a time, their life seemed to stabilize.
Although the couple attempted to have children together, Ann-Margret’s biological clock was running out of time, and despite seeing multiple fertility experts, they were unable to conceive. Ann-Margret has spoken of the inability to have children as one of the greatest regrets of her life.
Roger Smith’s Passing
Roger Smith and Ann-Margret remained deeply connected until his death in 2017. He passed away at 84 at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles due to complications from myasthenia gravis, after having battled Parkinson’s disease for years. During his illness, Ann-Margret devoted herself to caring for him, even taking a break from her career.
“I kept saying no to everything because I was focused on taking care of him,” she shared. “When one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over.”
After his passing, Ann-Margret was devastated, but she also found solace in the memories of their life together.
“When I reflect on my life, my marriage is what I’m most proud of,” she said in an interview with Closer Weekly. “We both wanted it to work, and it did. We were together every moment, supporting each other with love.”
A Lasting Memory: Their 1985 Photo
A powerful representation of Ann-Margret and Roger’s love can be seen in a photo taken on January 1, 1985, in New York. The photo shows them at a prestigious event, radiating charm and elegance. Despite the glamour, there’s a quiet recognition of the challenges Roger faced due to his illness.
This image captures their enduring love—both personal and professional—and serves as a poignant reminder of the legacy they built together. It’s a snapshot of strength, grace, and the power of a lasting bond.
This timeless love story continues to inspire, and it’s a testament to how Ann-Margret and Roger Smith faced life’s obstacles with grace, proving that true love can endure through any hardship.