“We lived in the same house with Mormor, my mother’s mother, and my uncle, who played the accordion. It was quite a group!” the actress continued.

She also credited these early years for her love of melody, saying, “My first musical memory was of the accordion. It was during World War II, and there were a lot of beautiful songs.”

But academia couldn’t hold her — her sights were set on stardom. Her big break came when George Burns discovered her and introduced her to Hollywood. By the early 1960s, she was not just a rising star but a sensation.

While her chemistry with Presley lit up the screen, their off-screen bond also captured attention. The two reportedly dated and remained close friends until his death. “Everyone knows how I felt about him and the friendship that we had all these years. It was very, very private,” she revealed.

Determined to prove her versatility, she sought roles that would allow her to grow as an artist. By the late 1960s, her career had slowed, and she turned to European projects for a fresh start. However, by 1970, she triumphantly returned to Hollywood, balancing film, television, and Las Vegas performances.

He pursued acting after a chance encounter with James Cagney, who encouraged him to try his luck in Hollywood. With roles in television and films, including his popular series “77 Sunset Strip,” Smith became a household name.

Their connection was instant. “I knew I was going to marry him on the third date,” she said. “I knew he would protect me. I knew that I could depend on him,” the actress revealed.

It wasn’t long before they tied the knot in 1967, with her stepping into her new role as a stepmother to her actor husband’s young children. “I met them when they were 3, 6, and 7,” she fondly recalled, speaking of how they became a family.

However, she also had a deep desire to have a child of her own, revealing that she had been trying to conceive for 13 years without success. Over the years, the actress explored various options but eventually stopped trying.

Reflecting on her journey, she said, “The point is, if I am meant to have a child, I will have one. Whatever my higher power feels is right for me, I will accept.”

Together, they worked to prove her acting prowess, selecting roles that showcased her depth. “The critics had an image of me, and they wouldn’t accept any other,” she admitted. Smith’s support was unwavering, and their teamwork paid off with her dramatic success in films like “Carnal Knowledge.”

“Now in Roger, I’ve found all the men I need rolled into one — a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman,” she said in 1972. “It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”

Their love story, however, was tested by unforeseen challenges. Smith was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and later Parkinson’s disease. As his health worsened, she prioritized his care over her career. “I kept saying, ‘No, no, no,’ to everything because I was taking care of him,” she explained.

“If you’re a spouse, if one of you has a broken wing, the other takes over,” the actress added. She devoted herself to his well-being for years, demonstrating a quiet strength and loyalty that became the cornerstone of their marriage.

However, while her film career slowed, she continued to land roles in various television dramas, including “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles” and “Who Will Love My Children?”

“To her, a great love story doesn’t end with death. You carry their spirit with you,” a friend shared. Now in her 80s, the actress lives in the Los Angeles home she and Smith purchased in 1968.

Since Smith’s passing, Ann-Margret has stayed connected with his children and their families. “Her stepdaughter Tracey and stepsons Jordan and Dallas all adore her,” an insider revealed. “She is a doting grandmother to all their kids. She sees them, speaks to them, and Zooms with them all frequently.”

“He said, ‘You’ve got to get back to work!’ At the very end, I said to him, ‘You were right,'” the icon recalled. She also reconnected with old pals and stays active with a close-knit group of friends, many of whom she has worked with throughout her career.

The redhead released an album, “Born to Be Wild,” and a collection of her favorite songs from the 1960s. “I haven’t done an album for like 100 years! I had a ball doing it!” she said of the project.