If you saw a lavender Harley-Davidson with white daisies painted on the fenders zooming through Beverly Hills, you probably wouldn’t expect the rider to be an 84-year-old grandmother of three. But that’s exactly who it is. Honestly, Ann-Margret today is a bit of a walking miracle. While most of her contemporaries from the Golden Age of Hollywood have either retired to quiet villas or, sadly, left us, the woman once dubbed the "female Elvis" is still making records, riding her bike, and occasionally popping up on red carpets looking like she hasn't aged since the nineties.
It’s wild to think about.
She recently showed up at the Lead with Love telethon in Los Angeles looking sharp in all black. When asked how she still has those famous dance moves, she just laughed and said it’s all in her "heart and seat." That’s Ann-Margret for you. No pretension. Just a Swedish-born powerhouse who still feels the "need for speed."
The Reality of Ann-Margret Today
Most people think stars from the 1960s just sort of fade into the background. Ann-Margret didn't get that memo. In 2023, she released Born to Be Wild, a rock-and-roll covers album that actually cracked the Billboard charts. It was her first time on the charts since 1964. Think about that gap. She’s singing with Pete Townshend and Joe Perry, proving that her voice—which has always been a mix of growl and silk—hasn't lost its edge.
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She still lives in the same Benedict Canyon mansion she shared with her late husband, Roger Smith, for over fifty years. He passed away in 2017, and it was a massive blow. They were one of the rare Hollywood success stories. People often ask if she’s lonely. In recent interviews, like the one she did with Interview Magazine late last year, she sounds anything but. She’s busy. She’s active. She’s "blessed," as she puts it.
A Career That Won't Quit
A lot of the buzz around Ann-Margret today involves a certain biopic. Lindsay Lohan has been very vocal about wanting to play her. They’ve been working on the story, and Ann-Margret is reportedly involved because, as Lohan put it, "it has to be the way she wants it to be."
It makes sense. You can't just have anyone play the woman who survived a 22-foot fall off a stage in Lake Tahoe and came back to perform weeks later.
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- Music: Her latest album features collaborations with Pat Boone and Rick Wakeman.
- Legacy: She was recently honored with a Living Legend Award from the Women's Image Network.
- The Bike: Yes, the lavender Harley is real, and yes, she still rides it.
She’s not just a legacy act. When she appeared on the Maya Rudolph series Loot, it wasn't just a "hey, remember me?" cameo. She’s still got the comic timing. She’s still got the presence.
Staying Active at 84
How does she do it? She credits her longevity to staying in motion. She famously said she loves speed—"not the drug," she clarified with a wink. She’s talking about literal miles per hour. There's something about the wind in her hair that keeps her young.
Some fans worry, though. There was a bit of "highly concerning" talk on social media last year when she made a rare appearance looking a bit more frail than usual. But then she showed up at Planet Comicon in Kansas City and shut everyone up. She was vibrant, wearing her signature red hair and a bright blue sweater, telling fans she couldn't wait to see them.
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She’s human. She’s had her share of accidents—broken ribs, a fractured shoulder, that terrifying stage fall. But she keeps getting back up. That’s the "Ann-Margret way."
What You Can Learn from Her
Basically, Ann-Margret is a masterclass in aging with attitude. She doesn't hide her age, but she doesn't let it define her either. She’s still that girl from Sweden who moved to the U.S. and became a sensation, only now she’s got eighty-plus years of stories to tell.
If you want to keep up with what she’s doing, the best way is to keep an eye on her rare but impactful public appearances. She isn't a social media butterfly, but when she shows up, it counts.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to Born to Be Wild: It’s on all streaming platforms. Check out her cover of "Bye Bye Love" with Pete Townshend. It’s surprisingly gritty.
- Watch the Classics: If you’ve only seen her in Viva Las Vegas, go back and watch Carnal Knowledge or Tommy. You’ll see why she’s an Oscar nominee, not just a dancer.
- Stay Tuned for the Biopic: The Lohan project is still in development, but it’s the most anticipated look back at her life we’ve had in decades.
Don't expect her to slow down anytime soon. As she told People magazine, she'd actually like to go "a little faster."