Ann-Margret, the fiery redhead who lit up the screen in classics like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas, once stole Elvis Presley’s heart—but ask her, and she’ll tell you her proudest achievement isn’t fame. It’s her marriage to actor Roger Smith.

Though she was pursued by many during her rise to stardom, it was Smith who truly captured her heart. The couple wed in 1967, and while their wedding day came with its share of drama, their bond only deepened over time. Roger stepped away from his own acting career to manage Ann-Margret’s—supporting her as she transitioned from sex symbol to serious actress, with standout roles like in Carnal Knowledge.

Their 50-year love story wasn’t without challenges. Ann-Margret struggled with substance abuse and nearly died in a 1972 accident after falling off a stage. In a desperate effort to save her, Roger once famously flew a stolen plane to get her the emergency surgery she needed.

In 1980, Roger was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease, which later progressed into Parkinson’s. Ann-Margret stepped away from the spotlight to care for him until his death in 2017.

Though the couple never had children together—a sorrow Ann-Margret has openly expressed—she lovingly embraced her role as stepmother to Roger’s three children.

Now in her later years, she reflects not on awards or celebrity, but on love. “When I look back at my life,” she says, “I am most proud of my marriage. We loved each other and were always in each other’s corner.”

In an industry known for fleeting relationships, Ann-Margret and Roger Smith’s enduring devotion stands as a powerful testament to love, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment.