In Las Vegas, Ann-Margret was performing on stage, surrounded by the glow of golden lights. It was there that Roger Smith first fell in love with her. What caught his attention wasn’t just her fame or beauty, but something deeper. He saw a vulnerability behind her electrifying stage presence. It was in the quiet moments after the applause, when her smile held a certain sadness. In that instant, Roger knew she was someone truly special. For Ann-Margret, it was Roger who offered something no audience could: a sense of safety and the feeling of being truly seen – not as a star, but as a woman yearning for connection.
Their first meeting backstage wasn’t filled with sparks, but it was the start of something real. Roger, already well-known for his role on 77 Sunset Strip, had lived through his own share of struggles – fame, divorce, and fatherhood. Ann-Margret, famous for her roles in Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas, was cautious. But when Roger looked at her, it was as though he saw past the glamour to the person she truly was. She later shared, “He saw through everything, even when I didn’t want him to.”
Their relationship grew slowly, built on respect and small, thoughtful gestures. Roger had three children from his previous marriage, and Ann-Margret embraced them wholeheartedly. It wasn’t a duty for her, but a choice to love them as her own. The kids would later remember her for her warmth and kindness, and how she made their home feel complete.
On May 8, 1967, Roger and Ann-Margret married in a small ceremony in Las Vegas. She wore a simple white lace dress, and Roger looked at her as though she was the only one in the world. In a city where marriages often feel temporary, theirs was different. It lasted, strong and true, for fifty years.
But in 1972, just a few years into their marriage, Roger was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare illness that affects the muscles. It was a cruel blow. His once strong body weakened, and he struggled with speech and movement. But Ann-Margret never hesitated. She adjusted her career to stay by his side, caring for him in every way. When people asked how she managed, she would simply say, “This is what love does.” She didn’t ask for applause or recognition; she just loved him through it all. When Roger couldn’t walk, she helped him. When he had trouble speaking, she listened. She didn’t focus on what she’d given up, but on the love they shared.
Before his illness, Roger had been her protector. He managed her career with quiet strength, keeping the chaos of Hollywood at bay and making sure she felt confident and safe. Ann-Margret always called him her hero – not because he was perfect, but because he was there for her in the quiet moments, lifting her up when she needed it most.
Even as Roger’s health worsened, their love remained constant. During her performances, he would sit quietly backstage, watching her with the same admiration he had when they first met. After each show, she would rush to him, as if the world outside the stage didn’t matter. They never had children together, but their family felt complete. Ann-Margret was deeply involved in Roger’s children’s lives, attending their graduations and offering her support. She was never just a stepmother – she was the constant in their lives.
When Roger passed away on June 4, 2017, Ann-Margret didn’t seek the spotlight. She released a brief, respectful statement and chose to mourn in private. At his memorial, she wore black – not out of obligation, but because it matched the emptiness she felt without him.
Even now, years later, she still wears a small gold necklace with Roger’s initials, hidden beneath her clothes during interviews or award shows. If anyone asks about it, she simply smiles. The love they shared was never for show – it was something real, something that lasted beyond their time together. And it continues to walk beside her every day.✍️❤