Ann-Margret’s Devotion: How She Cared for Her Dying Husband—And What Broke Her Heart

I really admire Ann-Margret—she is such a kind, sweet, and classy person.

Known for her stunning beauty and amazing talent, she won the hearts of many on and off the screen. She famously dated Elvis Presley and was one of the few Hollywood stars who genuinely supported our troops during the Vietnam War.

But even with her successful career and the love of her fans, she thinks her greatest achievement is something different…

Maybe it’s my strong connection to Sweden, but I have to say Ann-Margret is one of my favorite stars. She is truly amazing, and all of her work speaks for itself. With her lovely sense of humor and genuine charm, she continues to inspire many.

Her timeless beauty is natural and unpretentious, unlike so many others in Hollywood.

Just last year, the Swedish-American actress and singer released her first rock album, *Born to Be Wild*, as reported by The New York Times.

Saying that Ann-Margret has seen it all would be an understatement. The iconic two-time Oscar nominee, born in Sweden, made a name for herself with memorable roles in 1960s classics like *Bye Bye Birdie* and *Viva Las Vegas*.

While you can read about her exciting romance with Elvis Presley, the truth is he was never the love of her life.

### Meeting Roger Smith
Even though she dated stars like Eddie Fisher and Elvis Presley, it was Roger Smith who truly captured Ann-Margret’s heart.

The handsome dark-haired actor gained fame with standout roles in hits like *77 Sunset Strip* and *Mister Roberts*. As a classic Hollywood heartthrob, he was used to easily charming women.

But Ann-Margret was different and not easily impressed.

“Every other woman I met was falling all over me,” he 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 couple first met in the 1960s, naturally connecting through their Hollywood careers. However, it wasn’t until 1965 that they started dating seriously.

Some reports say that Roger invited the Swedish star to one of his performances at a club in San Francisco. But he had another clever idea as well.

He knew that Ann-Margret loved motorcycles. She enjoyed riding and had several bikes and a whole closet full of motorcycle gear at home.

“When I first started dating her, there were a lot of guys around, 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 worked,” he told NEA.

By their third date, Ann-Margret was sure that Roger Smith was the man she had always wanted.

“I knew he would protect me. I knew I could depend on him. I felt that completely,” she shared with *People* in 2017.

### Tears of Sadness
The couple got married in 1967, and their marriage was everything Ann-Margret had hoped for. But few people know that their wedding day didn’t start off well. During the ceremony in Las Vegas, in a “cigarette-smoke-filled room at the Riviera Hotel,” the *Bye Bye Birdie* star began to cry.

“This is not the way I imagined my wedding,” Ann-Margret told *People*. She added, “I think everyone thought I was pregnant because I was crying through the whole thing. But we did it.”

Thankfully, the upsetting wedding experience didn’t matter in the long run.

Soon after, Roger Smith became Ann-Margret’s manager. He believed in her, admired her, and even gave up his own acting career to support her. Roger felt that Ann-Margret had more “raw talent” than he did, and he wanted to be by her side.

“Now in Roger, I’ve found all the men I need rolled into one — a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman,” the actress told Rex Reed in 1972.

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

Smith helped Ann-Margret change her career. He played a crucial role in guiding her away from the “sex kitten” image, understanding that she needed to evolve to stay relevant in Hollywood. His smart choices allowed Ann-Margret to take on more complex roles, leading to her breakout performance in *Carnal Knowledge* in 1971.

By supporting her in her goals, Roger found that he liked himself much better. Being with Ann-Margret mattered more to him than all his childhood dreams of becoming a famous actor.

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

### Substance Abuse & Injury
Throughout their long marriage, Ann-Margret and Roger Smith were incredibly close, both personally and professionally. They celebrated great successes together but also faced significant challenges. For example, Ann-Margret struggled with substance abuse and suffered a life-changing injury.

During parts of the 1970s, the *Viva Las Vegas* star dealt with an addiction to pills and alcohol, making it hard for her to separate fantasy from reality.

In 1972, Ann-Margret suffered a terrible fall from a 22-foot platform while performing in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. She broke nearly every bone in her face when she fell into an orchestra pit, narrowly escaping death in front of a shocked audience at the Sahara Hotel.

After the accident, she underwent facial reconstructive surgery. Her mouth was wired shut, and she had to stick to a strict liquid diet to help her heal. Miraculously, Ann-Margret made an incredible recovery. Just 10 days and 59 stitches after the scary accident, she returned to the stage, riding her shiny Harley-Davidson motorcycle and reclaiming the spotlight with her signature flair.

Her husband, Roger Smith, played a vital role in her recovery. When the accident happened, he quickly flew a stolen plane from Burbank, California, to rush her to the surgeons at UCLA Medical Center, ensuring she got the immediate care she needed.

### Roger Smith’s Illness
Ann-Margret’s marriage to Roger Smith faced a dramatic challenge in 1980 when he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an incurable neuromuscular disease. This illness often left him unable to get out of bed in the mornings. Traveling across the country became impossible, and the disease affected both their personal lives and careers. Roger, who had been managing Ann-Margret’s career, had to step back due to his health issues.

By 1985, Smith’s illness went into remission, which allowed Ann-Margret to reignite her nightclub career. With Roger’s support, she returned to the spotlight, bringing back her popular Las Vegas shows. For a time, things looked much brighter for the couple.

When Roger Smith’s symptoms eased, the couple made one last attempt to have children of their own. Before this, Ann-Margret had lovingly embraced her role as a stepmother to his three children from a previous marriage.

Sadly, Ann-Margret’s biological clock was ticking faster, and despite consulting many fertility experts, they were unable to conceive. They tried everything they could, but they never had children together — something the actress has called one of the greatest disappointments of her life.

### Cause of Death
Ann-Margret and Roger Smith remained together until his death in 2017.

Roger passed away at the age of 84 at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, due to complications related to myasthenia gravis.

In addition to this illness, he had also struggled with Parkinson’s disease for many years.

Roger’s condition required Ann-Margret to take a break from her work to care for him. Throughout his long illness, she showed complete commitment to her partner, demonstrating her deep love and devotion.

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

Ann-Margret was, of course, heartbroken after her husband’s passing. Yet, she found ways to stay positive and continue moving forward in her life.

“When I look back at my life, I am most proud of my marriage,” Ann-Margret 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.”

### That New York Photo
To truly appreciate the love story of Ann-Margret and Roger Smith, look at a photo taken on January 1, 1985, in New York.

The picture shows the Hollywood couple radiating elegance and charm at a high-profile event, both at the peak of their careers. But this image is more than just a glamorous snapshot. Roger’s steady gaze and Ann-Margret’s calm presence reflect their deep bond, both personally and professionally.

The rich green curtains in the background give the photo a royal feel, capturing a true portrait of Hollywood royalty. What makes this picture even more striking is that it hints at the signs of Roger’s battle with illness. Although he is not yet fully overtaken by his condition, there’s a quiet awareness of what’s to come. Despite this, the image serves as a beautiful testament to their enduring love.

It’s more than just a memory; it’s a moment frozen in time that celebrates their strength, elegance, and the legacy they built together.