At 84, Ann-Margret Finally Opens Up About Her Undying Love for Elvis Presley
At 84 years old, as most memories of Hollywood’s Golden Age begin to fade into history, legendary screen siren Ann-Margret has finally chosen to open her heart. For the first time, she has spoken with profound sincerity about the man who left an indelible, blazing mark on her life: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley.
A Fateful Encounter That Changed Everything
In the summer of 1963, MGM brought two of the hottest stars of the era together for the musical film Viva Las Vegas. Elvis Presley was already a global phenomenon, and Ann-Margret—a 22-year-old Swedish-born starlet—was the “火焰-haired bombshell” taking cinema by storm.
From the very first moment their eyes met on set, they knew they were kindred spirits. Ann-Margret recalls with a nostalgic smile:
“It wasn’t just a typical attraction. It was like electricity running down my spine. We shared a passion for music, for speed, a hidden loneliness behind the fame, and above all, a soulful connection that I never found with anyone else.”
Throughout the filming, their romance burned fiercely but had to be kept strictly confidential. They would ride motorcycles together through the deserted streets of Los Angeles late at night, sharing simple dreams away from the blinding spotlights.
Bittersweet Romance and a Heartbreaking Goodbye
Their love was passionate, but it was born at the wrong time. By then, Elvis was already engaged to Priscilla Beaulieu under heavy pressure from his family and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The relationship between Elvis and Ann-Margret faced immense scrutiny from the media and the strict machinery of the entertainment industry.
“We both knew this love had an expiration date,” Ann-Margret confides. “Elvis was a man of responsibility, surrounded by promises and obligations. When the movie wrapped, we understood we had to return to reality. It was one of the most painful decisions of my life.”
After nearly a year together, they parted ways. Elvis married Priscilla in 1967, and Ann-Margret found her own harbor of peace with husband Roger Smith, who stayed by her side for 50 years until his passing.
A Secret Bond Until His Very Last Breath
Though they separated, the flame between Elvis and Ann-Margret never truly went out. For years afterward, whenever Ann-Margret opened a show in Las Vegas, Elvis would send a floral arrangement shaped like a guitar made of roses to her dressing room.
On August 16, 1977, when Elvis Presley tragically passed away at age 42, Ann-Margret was one of the very few Hollywood stars to attend his funeral in Memphis to say her final goodbye.
“When I arrived, I saw a guitar-shaped floral arrangement standing there. Only this time, it wasn’t sent to me. My heart just broke,” she remembers emotionally.
Age 84 and a Sacred Place in the Heart
Now at 84, Ann-Margret has lived a full and storied life, experiencing both immense glory and deep loss. When asked why she chose this moment to speak so openly about Elvis, she shares softly:
“I kept this secret close to my heart for over half my life out of respect for Roger and Priscilla. But now, as time grows shorter, I want people to remember Elvis not just as a musical icon, but as a man who was warm, deep, and deeply vulnerable. He is the love I never forgot, and I know that in another world, he is still sending me roses.”
The romance between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret remains one of the most beautiful and poignant chapters in Hollywood history—a testament to the fact that some loves, even if they cannot walk together until the end of the road, will remain whole and radiant, defying the cruelty of time.