Ann Margrethe Ulsson is an American singer and actress of Swedish descent. She is known mainly for her musical activities, close friendship with Elvis Presley. Repeatedly nominated for prestigious American awards both in the film industry and in the field of music.
Childhood. Youth
Anne Margret was born in a small town in northern Sweden in April 1941. Her father, before the birth of his daughter, went to work in America, was an employee of the Electrical Engineering Company. In 1942, he decided to move there for permanent residence.
The family joined him only in 1946. They settled next to Chicago in the town of Wilmit. The girl was immediately sent to various creative circles, but especially Anne was able to dance and sing.
The girl’s mother sewed her daughter all the costumes with her own hands, since the family’s finances were not enough to buy them in stores. And after the father of the future singer received an industrial injury, the money from the Ulsson was generally transferred. Anna (mother) got into the waiting room of the funeral home to somehow feed her family.
Anne Margrethe became a cheerleader at her school, many times took part in various talent contests, first on local channels, then on national ones. In addition, she was the main star of the school theater troupe. Actually, the girl did not have a question about the future profession. From an early age, she dreamed of becoming a star.
First steps to success
In 1959, the girl entered Northwestern University, but did not study there for long. She became a member of a musical group, a soloist. Girls performed in many nightclubs in Chicago, Las Vegas and even visited Los Angeles. Actually, there producer Ann George Burns noticed.
In 1961, Ann Margrethe began recording a solo album. The advertising company of the newly minted singer was based on her comparison with the voice of Elvis Presley. In the booklets they wrote: "Presley in female form."
Her songs appealed to the listeners. Many stayed on the charts for up to twenty weeks. And in 1962 she performed one of the songs at the Oscars, which brought her even more popularity and fans.
Music
In total, Anne has thirteen music albums, two nominations for "Grammys" (1962 and 2001).
Anne Margrethe performs country music, a favorite among the American population.
In 1967, her first recital took place in Las Vegas, where she sang live. Behind the scenes, she was supported by a friend - Elvis Presley, with whom she was close until his death.
In 1972, while performing on an open stage near Lake Tahoe, Anne fell from the scenery. Her arm, cheekbone and jaw were broken . Recovery took place over ten weeks. At this time, the singer was completely at rest, did not work, for several weeks she was allowed only liquid food. Without the intervention of surgeons, too, could not have done. The face was very injured.
In 1977, Presley died. Anne was very upset by the loss of her friend. Three months later, she took part in the filming of a documentary about the artist, shared her innermost memories. In particular, she spoke about her romance with Elvis during the filming of the film "Viva Las Vegas".
Since then, work in the cinema was more present in her life, but she continued to study music.
In 2001, Ann Margrethe, whose photo appeared in the press less and less, began recording a new album. His stylistics was unusual for the singer - church hymns. Lyrics from the gospel were adapted and performed by the singer very well. She received another nomination for a music award and won it.
Movie
In 1961, after passing tests at the Metro Goldwin Meyers, the actress signed a seven-year contract with the company. Her film debut was the film A Fistful of Miracles, where she played with the unique Beth Davis and Peter Falk.
Her next films were musicals, where she performed musical compositions, for which she was welcomed by critics and spectators. And the film "Goodbye, birdie!" made her a real star. The song from the film performed by Ann was known to every American.
After such success, she was invited to perform songs for the president on his birthday (as Marilyn Monroe did the year before).
In 1964, Anne met Elvis Presley, with whom she subsequently recorded several duets.
Several times, Anne was nominated for an Oscar for the films Knowledge of the Flesh, Tommy, and countless times for the Golden Globe Award.
Anne Margrethe, whose films were mostly in the comedy / musical genre, was looking for herself in something else. But competition in the film industry was too high.
The actress basically starred in the supporting roles. The filmography of Anne Margrethe contains thirty-seven feature films, among the most famous of which are Route 60, Made in Paris, American Divorce.
A television
The actress was also involved in television filming. For example, she played the role of Cinderella in The Tenth Kingdom. In 2010 she received an Emmy Award for her role in the series Law and Order.
Since 2014 appears in various shows on the CBS channel.
Personal life
After the affair with Elvis Presley was completed, Ann Margrethe got married. Her husband was Roger Smith, whom she met on the set of the film "Once Upon a Time a Thief."
Roger was also an actor, among his television films 77 77 Sunset Street, A Man with a Thousand Faces, Mr. Roberts. But in 1968, he abandoned his career and became the manager of his wife.
Roger had three children from his first marriage. Anne became their second mother.
Anne Margrethe Lutheran.
The actress has an unusual hobby. She loves motorcycles. And in 2000, she participated in the filming of an advertisement for a new model and fell off a motorcycle. She had broken three ribs and a shoulder, but this did not cool her ardor.