Year
Age
Activities
1941
0
Ann-Margret is born on Monday, April 28th in Stockholm, Sweden to Gustav and Anna Aronsson Olsson. They move to [Valsjobyn]
, Jamtland, Sweden when A-M is still a little baby. They live in A-M's grandmother's house with her uncle Calle, who still lives there today. Valsjobyn is a little village of about 150 people located in the mountains in the county of Jamtland. It is 4 miles east of the border of Norway and it is less than 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Valsjobyn is 350 miles north-northwest of Stockholm. A-M is named after a Swedish swimming star her mother admired. She has no brothers or sisters.
1946
5
A-M and her mother journeys on a steamer
[Gripsholm] on a 12 day trip arriving at Pier 44 in New York on Friday, November 29th. They are greeted by A-M's father who had come to America previously. Upon arrival A-M's family goes to Radio City Music Hall, A-M sees her first movie (The Jolson Story), and then sees the program 'All in a Day' (stage filled with dancers, singers, and the Rockettes). A-M's family lives in
[Fox Lake], suburb of Chicago, at the corner of Hickory Street and Lake Avenue.
1948
6-7
A-M's family moves into another house on Lake Avenue in [Fox Lake]. A-M enrolls in dance lessons at the Marjorie Young School of Dance.
1951
10
A-M visits Sweden with her mother. She takes her first ride on a motorcycle BMW with her Uncle Calle in Valsjobyn, Sweden.
1952
10-11
A-M's family movs to [Wilmette], Illinois. Her father is injured from a fall. Her mother works in the Alten-Nelson Funeral Home, where they live with rent and utilities free. AM's sixth grade teacher asks her to join the Glee Club. This became the first outlet for her dreams of being an entertainer.
1953
11-12
A-M's family moves into the upper half of a duplex in [Northfield], Illinois.
1955
14
A-M performs "Make Love to Me" on Maurice Sachs Amateur Hour, A local television show. She wins her first orchid, a gold Embraceable watch, and $75 in cash. A-M graduates from Junior High School on Friday, June 17th. A-M attends New Trier High School in [Winnetka]. A-M joins the girls glee club.
1957
15-16
A-M performs on the television talent show, Breakfast Club in Chicago. She sang "Them There Eyes". A-M performs on the television talent show,
[Amateur Hour], hosted by Ted Mack in New York City, singing "Them There Eyes". A-M's mentor in high school was Dr. Peterson and her voice teacher was Mildred Davis. A-M was a cheerleader in high school. During the summer before her high school senior year, A-M sings for the Danny Ferguson Band at the [Muehlebach Hotel] in Kansas City. Kansas City is 540 miles southwest from her home. This is A-M's first professional singing engagement earning $98 per week. A-M joins Hal Munroe and his band as the lead singer performing throughout Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan for a couple of years.
1959
17-18
A-M stars in 'Manhattan Towers' and 'Plain and Fancy' high school plays. 'Plain and Fancy' is staged from Wednesday, May 20th to Saturday, May 23rd. A-M's performing highlight in high school career was during the 1959 Lagniappe (talent show) singing 'Heat Wave'. A-M starts at [Northwestern University] and joined the [Kappa Alpha Theta]. During Christmas break in December, A-M goes to Iceland and Germany on a USO Tour. sorority.
1960
18-19
A-M joins a band, the Suttletones, with Scott Smith, Ring Warner, and David Zehring. They play at the Myst a nightclub outside of Chicago. A-M starts dating Scott Smith, the piano player. In the summer after A-M's first year in college, the Suttletones had an offer to play at the Nevada Club, in Las Vegas for two weeks. A-M drops her last name as an entertainer; it was A-M's way of ensuring that her parents would not be hurt or embarrassed by anything that might happen as a result of her being in show business. In July Suttletones play at Villa Marina in Newport Beach for 5 weeks. A-M begins to date Peter Brown (TV series Lawman). In August, the band is booked at the Commercial Hotel in Elko, Nevada. In August the band is booked 6 weeks at Riverside Hotel in Reno. A-M drops out of Northwestern. In September, the band is booked at the Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas. Bobby Roberts arranges for A-M to audition for George Burns; she sings 'Bill Bailey', 'Have a Good Time', and 'Mack the Knife'. In November, A-M is booked at the Congo Room, Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas; she is introduced by George Burns. She does a closing number with George Burns.
1961
19-20
On Wednesday, January 4th, A-M tries out for the film 'State Fair'. On Friday, January 6th, Life Magazine photographer, Grey Villette arrives to begin taking photos. On Wednesday, January 11th, A-M signs to an RCA recording contract. On Friday, January 13th, A-M does a 20th Century Fox Screen Test. Peter Brown (star of the television show 'The Lawman'), a mutual friend, introduces A-M to Roger Smith on Wednesday, January 18th at 5:30am at the Chicago Airport during breakfast; A-M's parents were also there. On Saturday, January 21st, A-M is offered the 'State Fair' role. The 1/27/61 Life Magazine does a fourteen-page spread on A-M. She buys a watermelon colored, stick-shift, convertible Ford Falcon on Sunday, February 5th. A-M records her first RCA single, "Lost Love" on Thursday, February 9th. A-M tapes the Jack Benny Show on Friday, February 10th to be aired on Sunday, April 2nd. On Sunday, February 12th, A-M meets Frank Capra for potential role in 'Pocketful of Miracles'. On Tuesday, February 28th, A-M's first single 'Lost Love' is released. On Monday, March 6th, A-M's first RCA album ('And Here She Is: Ann-Margret') is recorded in Nashville.' A-M starts dating businessman Burt Sugarman. She starts work on 'Pocketful of Miracles' in May. In June, A-M's second sngle ('I Just Don't Understand') is released. In July A-M appears on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. In September, A-M starts work on 'State Fair'; she gives Pat Boone his first screen kiss.
1962
20-21
A-M becomes engaged to Burt Sugarman in February (at the age of 20) and broke off in March 1982. On Tuesday, March 6th, A-M wins the Golden Globe from the Foreign Press Association as 'International Star of Tomorrow - 1961'. 'State Fair' premieres in March. A-M sings 'Bachelor in Paradise' on the 34th Academy Awards telecast on Monday, April 9th. She wears a white satin gown with pink beading in the bodice at the Academy located at the Santa Monica Civic Center. She begins shooting 'Bye Bye Birdie'. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills. A-M starts dating singer Eddie Fisher. She dates music producer Lou Adler and then talent agent Jack Gilardi.
1963
21-22
A-M is on the cover of the
[1/11/63 Life Magazine]. Bye Bye Birdie's world premiere is Sunday, April 5th at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. A-M sings 'Bye Bye Birdie' on the Ed Sullivan Show. A-M sings 'Baby, Won't You Please Come Home' and 'Bye Bye Blackbird' at President Kennedy's birthday on Wednesday, May 29th (one year after Marilyn Monroe sang). A-M meets Elvis while filming 'Viva Las Vegas'. She starts dating Elvis. She has an apartment on Wanda Drive, Beverly Hills. A-M shoots 'Kitten with a Whip', her first dramatic role. She starts shooting 'Bus Riley's Back in Town'. A-M shoots 'Pleasure Seekers', a remake of 'Three Coins in a Fountain'. A-M shoots shot 'Once a Thief'.
1964
22-23
On Tuesday, March 24th, General Westmoreland writes a letter to A-M thanking her for visiting Vietnam and entertaining the troops. A-M starts to date Roger Smith. Roger is in the process of divorce. 'Viva Las Vegas' premieres on Wednesday, April 20th. A-M starts shooting 'The Cincinnati Kid'. A-M's bedroom and bathroom are pink; she has a round pink bed given to her from Elvis. A-M is named 'Star of the Year - 1964' by the Theatre Owners of America. 'Pleasure Seekers' is released on Sunday, December 6th.
1965
23-24
On Monday, January 18th, A-M serves as one of the Masters of Ceremonies at President Johnson's Inaugural Ball. She begins pre-production of 'Made In Paris'. She films 'Stagecoach'. A-M starts production of 'The Swinger'. A-M is named 'Star of the Year -1964' by the Motion Picture Exhibitors of America. Roger introduces his kids to A-M: Tracey (7), Jordan (6), Dallas (3).
1966
24-25
A-M entertains soldiers in Vietnam in March for 15 days. Roger gives A-M an engagement ring (a five-karat diamond ring) on a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park, New York. She breaks her engagement with Roger in March for only a short time. A-M films 'Murderer's Row' starring Dean Martin. She severs business relationship with Bobby Roberts. Roger Smith and Alan Carr assume management of A-M's career. 'The Swinger' and 'Murderers Row' both are released in December.
1967
25-26
A-M films 'Il Tigre' ('The Tiger and the Pussycat'). A-M is a presenter at the 39th Academy Awards. A-M and Roger break up their engagement at the end of April. Two weeks later, A-M marries Roger on Monday, May 8th at the Riviera in Las Vegas. A-M buys a Triumph 500. She opens a five-week engagement at the Riviera on Wednesday, June 7th with best wishers George Burns and Elvis Presley in attendance. Elvis gives A-M flowers in the shape of a guitar. This is a gift that he will give her for all of her future opening acts. A-M begins drinking wine and eventually other liquors. A-M films 'The Prophet' in Italy.
1968
26-27
A-M films 'Criminal Affair' in Argentina. She films 'Rebus' in Beirut. She breaks off her business relationship with Bobby Roberts. A-M puts together the album 'The Cowboy and the Lady' with Lee Hazelwood. She does a TV special sponsored by Canada Dry. A-M buys and moves into a Cape Cod house on ten acres, previously owned by Heddy Lamarr and Gene Rowland. The house resides on Bendict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills. A-M eventually decorates the living room with bright colors, many flowers, and a Swedish grandfather clock. A-M goes to Vietnam for Bob Hope's annual Christmas show. The opening show is on Sunday, December 22nd before 20,000 GI's.
1969
27-28
A-M plays the Riviera in Las Vegas. She plays on tour of the Orient, with Roger as emcee. 'Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love' television special appears on Saturday, December 6th. A-M does a second TV special, starring Dean Martin and Lucille Ball on Tuesday, December 9th.
1970
28-29
A-M films 'R.P.M.' with Anthony Quinn. She films 'C.C. and Company' with Joe Namath. A-M's drinking problem worsens. She begins work on 'Carnal Knowledge' with Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkle, and Candice Bergen.
1971
29-30
A-M opens at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in the most ambitious, grandiose show she ever undertaken called 'AM/PM'. A-M is hospitalized for a virus. She opens at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach (sold out 14 shows of 1,000 people per show). She does a television special 'Dames at Sea'. 'Carnal Knowledge' opens on Monday June 28th. On Saturday, July 10th, she performs one night at the Concord Hotel in upstate New York and then at the Playboy Club at Great Gorge, New Jersey. A-M appears on the [08/06/71 Life Magazine] cover. A-M is on Ralph Edwards 'This is Your Life' television show. She does a show at the International.
1972
30-31
In January Hollywood's Foreign Press awards A-M a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for the film 'Carnal Knowledge'. 'Photoplay' magazine names A-M 'Star of the Year'. She does a show at Fountainebleau in Miami. A-M is nominated for an Academy Award for 'Carnal Knowledge'. She films 'The Train Robbers' with John Wayne. She films 'The Outside Man', a French-American thriller. A-M asks Roger's friend Kathleen for help for her alcoholism. Roger starts producing all of A-M stage shows. At 12:30 at night while doing her 12th show (in 6 nights) at the Sahara Hotel in Lake Tahoe on Sunday, September 10th, A-M falls 22 feet on stage. Injuries include: numerous bones in face above eye are broken or fractured; jaw is broken in two places; left arm is broken; knee is injured. Dr. Frank Ashley performs a 5 hour operation at UCLA Medical Center. Roger gives A-M a 20 karat diamond ring. Her father, who is 85 years old, gets cancer. A-M does a remarkable comeback opening at the Las Vegas Hilton on Tuesday, November 28th with the 'AM/PM' show. A-M picks up the nickname of 'Slugger' since she proved her strength recovering from her accident.
1973
31-32
A-M's father passes away on Wednesday, February 7th. She performs the Sahara (the site of the accident) in Lake Tahoe at the end of February. On Wednesday, April 4th, 'When You're Smiling' television special airs and is dedicated to her father. On Wednesday, July 11, A-M unveils her star at 6501 Hollywood Boulevard. A-M and Roger buys a house on the beach in Malibu. Roger gets sole custody of his three children Tracey 14, Jordan 13, and Dallas 9.
1974
32-33
A-M gets the part of Nora in 'Tommy' with Jack Nicholson, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Oliver Reed, and Tina Turner. She records the soundtrack for the movie in February. 'Tommy' premieres on Tuesday, March 18th. She presents the Oscar for Best Song to Marvin Hamlisch's 'The Way We Were' at the Academy Awards. On April 28th, Roger takes her to The White Elephant for a birthday luncheon. A-M visits Valsjobyn, Sweden with Roger. A-M does her 6th Television special titled 'Ann-Margret Smith'.
1976
34-35
In January A-M wins the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her work in 'Tommy'. She appears on the cover of People magazine. On Tueday, February 17th, A-M is nominated for Best Actress for 'Tommy' for the 48th Academy Awards. The Awards are held at the Los Angeles Music Center on Monday March 29th. A-M wins the 'Best Female Entertainer of 1975' in Las Vegas. She plays Lady Booby in the comedy film 'Joseph Andrews'. A-M plays the Fountainebleu Hotel nightclub. She films 'The Last Remake of Beau Geste'. A-M plays the Romanian sexpot Jezebel Desire in Neil Simon's 'The Cheap Detective'.
1977
35-36
In March A-M tapes the Television special 'Rhinestone Cowgirl'. She opens at the Hilton on Tuesday, August 16th, the day that Elvis dies. She attends the funeral at Graceland. On Thursday, September 29th, A-M hosts 'Memories of Elvis' two-hour NBC Television special. A-M films 'Magic' starring Anthony Hopkins. She hires Lester Wilson as choreographer for the next 15 years. A-M appears on the George Burns television special on Wednesday, November 23rd.
1978
36-37
A-M performs in the Circus Maximus Showroom at Caesar's Palace on Thursday, May 18th, Thursday, June 22nd, and Thursday, August 17th. On Wednesday, June 28th 'Cheap Detective' premieres. In September, A-M tapes 'Rockette' a two-hour celebration of Radio City's fifty year history. The special airs on Thursday, December 14th. A-M appears on 'The Osmond Special' television special on Saturday, October 14th. On Thursday, November 2nd, 'Cinderella at the Palace' television special airs. On Wednesday, November 8th, 'Magic' opens.
1979
37-38
In February A-M's album 'Love Rush' comes out. Elvis' father, Vernon, dies on Tuesday, June 26. A-M films 'Middle Age Crazy' with Bruce Dern. The premiere of 'The Villain' costarring Kirk Douglas occurs in June. On Satrurday, July 14th, A-M gives her first live appearance in New York City in a mini-concert for the 'Billboard' convention at Roseland in New York. On Sunday, July 22nd, 'The Villain' opens. She plays Caesars Palace. A-M's television special 'Hollywood Movie Girls' airs. Roger complains of fatigue. A-M films 'Lookin' to Get Out'.
1980
38-39
On Friday, March 21st, A-M is honored with the Jimmy Durante Award as best female entertainer at the Las Vegas Entertainer Awards. On Saturday, May 3rd, 'Hollywood Movie Girls' television special airs. A-M takes her last alcohol drink on Friday, June 20. Dr. Walsh at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica diagnoses Roger with myashtenia gravis (MG). On Saturday, October 18th, 'Middle Age Crazy' opens.
1981
39-40
A-M is nominated for 'Best Foreign Actress of the Year - 1980' from the Canadian Film Board. On Friday, March 6th A-M is awarded the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce Award.
1982
40-41
A-M films 'The Return of the Soldier' in London with Alan Bates, Julie Christie, and Glenda Jackson. A-M plays at the China Theater, Stockholm in the fall. A-M films 'Who Will Love My Children', her first movie to portray a real person (Lucile Fray).
1983
41-42
'Who Will Love My Children' airs on Monday, Valentine's Day. A-M performs at the Caesars in Las Vegas in February. A-M is nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series or Special (Emmy) for the portrayal of Lucile. She sings at a fund-raiser for MG in Beverly Hills without Roger (who was sick at the time). A-M does 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. She does a stage show at the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco. On stage of Stockholm's China Theater, A-M announces her retirement from live performing. A-M guests on a television special celebrating George Burns 80th year in show business.
1984
42-43
A-M films 'Twice in a Lifetime'.
1986
44-45
A-M appears on a television special honoring George Burns 90th birthday. A-M films 'The Two Mrs. Grenvilles' with Claudette Colbert. A-M films 'A Tiger's Tale'. She films 'A New Life' in Toronto, where she becomes acquainted with Burt Reynolds.
| 1988
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![[Valsjobyn]](/Hollywood/Boulevard/5000/valsjobyn.gif){kind=link}
![[Fox Lake]](/Hollywood/Boulevard/5000/chicago.gif){kind=link}
![[1/11/63 Life Magazine]](/Hollywood/Boulevard/5000/am-life630111.jpg){kind=link}
![[08/06/71 Life Magazine]](/Hollywood/Boulevard/5000/am-life710806.jpg){kind=link}