Being part of the renowned group Abba, Anni-Frid Lyngstad has truly become a music icon.
At 77 years old this year, she continues to lead an intriguing life.
In 1966, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson crossed paths and swiftly decided to collaborate musically.
Their debut single, She’s My Kind of Girl, was launched in 1969. A year later, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad joined the duo, and in 1970, they released the track Hej, gamle man under the moniker Björn & Benny.
Shortly after, the group rebranded as Abba. Today, few are unfamiliar with the Swedish sensation.
Collectively, members Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus have amassed millions in album sales and remain one of the world’s most prominent bands.
In 1973, the band secured third place in Melodifestivalen with the song Ring, Ring. The subsequent year, they aimed for victory.
Their victory came with the hit Waterloo, marking their breakthrough. In 2005, commemorating the 50th Eurovision Song Contest anniversary, Waterloo was declared the best song in the event’s history.
Despite disbanding in 1981, their music has left an indelible mark on musicals and movies, earning numerous accolades. Their album ‘Abba Gold’ stands as the UK’s second best-selling album of all time, with 5.61 million copies sold.
Only Queen’s “Greatest Hits” surpasses Abba’s global sales record, as reported by Aftonbladet in 2021.
Abba’s Reunion
Following their hiatus, fans dreamt of a reunion. After the success of the compilation album ABBA Gold in 1992, anticipation soared, with the band reportedly receiving a billion-dollar offer for a 100-show reunion. However, they declined.
But in 2021, after 39 years apart, the band made a surprising, yet eagerly awaited announcement: a reunion and a new album.
In a collective statement, all Abba members expressed their joy in creating new music together.
“It has been decades since we last made music together. Almost 40 years, to be exact. After our break in 1982, we decided it was time to end it. Waiting over 40 years between albums seemed unreasonable, so we produced a sequel to ‘The Visitors’. Our main inspiration was to create the most unique and spectacular concert ever. Next spring, we’ll witness our digital avatars perform our songs on stage in a specially crafted London arena. Odd yet magnificent!” they shared at the time.
The band also disclosed their plans for live performances.
However, the anticipated concerts took an unexpected turn. The upcoming shows would feature holographic performances of ABBA Voyage, showcasing digital representations of the four members.
Accompanying the four digital “abbatars,” ten live musicians will take the stage in an arena accommodating 3,000 spectators.
The Star Appears in a Sea of People
While the Abbatarians disappointed many, some were fortunate to encounter the actual members at select shows.
Recently, a video surfaced on Instagram by Abba Voyage showing Anni-Frid surprising the crowd at a concert. The audience’s reaction to seeing Frida amidst them resulted in endless applause.
“I love you all,” Frida affectionately exclaimed amidst the crowd.
After four decades of silence, Abba staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in music history. Yet, during those forty years, significant events unfolded in the members’ lives.
While Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson pursued various musical ventures, either jointly or separately,
the Abba women delved directly into solo careers.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad released three albums: “Something’s Going On” (1982), “Shine” (1984), and “Deep Breath” (1996).
Her standout successes during the ABBA hiatus were “I Know There’s Something Going On” and a duet with Ratata titled “As long as we have each other.”
Additionally, she collaborated on duets with luminaries like Phil Collins and Roxette’s Marie Fredriksson.
Anne-Frid Was Stopped by Mikael Wiehe
She had contemplated producing an English version of Mikael Wiehe’s Flickan och Kråkan, but he vetoed the idea.
“When Anni-Frid Lyngstad expressed interest in an English rendition, I was intrigued, particularly at the thought of Paul McCartney possibly listening to a solo album by an ABBA member and hearing one of my songs,” Mikael Wiehe shared on his website, elaborating:
“However, I declined due to my disapproval of Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s involvement in the ‘Bet on yourself’ SAF campaign.”
Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s Family
Originally from Norway, Anni-Frid Lyngstad was born in 1945 and raised by her grandmother in Torshälla outside Eskilstuna. Tragically, Anni-Frid lost her mother, Synni, when she was only two years old. Her grandmother also passed away early and did not witness her granddaughter Frida’s immense success.
The tragedies continued as Anni-Frid became a parent at a tender age.
At merely 18 in 1963, she became a mother to Hans Fredriksson with husband Ragnar Fredriksson, whom she was married to from 1964 to 1970. The couple also welcomed a daughter, Ann Lise-Lott Fredriksson Casper, in 1967.
Hans opted for a life away from the limelight and has previously shared insights about his relationship with his mother, Anni-Frid.
“My mother has mostly resided abroad recently, but our bond is strong. I don’t feel her absence. It’s special when we reunite and spend time together,” he expressed.
Following this, they welcomed their second daughter, Ann Lise-Lott Fredriksson, in 1967.
However, after six years of marriage, Anni-Frid and Ragnar parted ways in 1970.
Nevertheless, amidst the band, Anni-Frid found love anew with Benny Andersson. They tied the knot in 1978, but their union was brief. Within three years, the couple separated.
Post her divorce from Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid found love once more, this time with Prince Heinrich Ruzzo Reuss, Count of Plauen, until his passing in 1999.
Mere months before her husband’s demise, her daughter Ann Lise-Lotte Casper tragically passed away at just 30 years old in 1998, following a car accident in the United States.
Reflecting on her profound sorrow, she expressed, “It took many years, an immeasurable grief. It felt almost unsurvivable,” in “Vänligen Lars Lerin.”
Anni-Frid of Abba Pays Tribute to Greta Thunberg – “Very Proud of Her”
This is How Anni-Frid Lyngstad Lives Today with Her New Love
Facing numerous adversities, Anni-Frid withdrew from the public eye.
Presently, she lives a rather secluded life, alternating between the serene ski resort of Zermatt in Switzerland and Mallorca.
She shares her life with her partner, Henry Smith, Earl of Hambleden.
Since falling for each other in 2007, the couple has remained devoted.
“Henry is now my pillar of strength, my friend, and my late blooming love, and I hope it stays that way; one can never be certain,” she shared with “Vänligen Lars Lerin.”
In addition to the Abba reunion, Anni-Frid has partaken in various endeavors in recent years, spanning from mountaineering to skiing, and has ventured into fashion design, notably for the label J. Lindeberg.
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