{"id":4786,"date":"2026-05-02T14:58:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T07:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/?p=4786"},"modified":"2026-05-02T14:59:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T07:59:55","slug":"this-60s-star-devoted-herself-to-her-wheelchair-bound-husband-until-the-end-she-still-turns-heads-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/?p=4786","title":{"rendered":"This ’60s Star Devoted Herself to Her Wheelchair-Bound Husband Until the End \u2013 She Still Turns Heads Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

She stunned onlookers with a radiant appearance just one day after a milestone birthday \u2014 but behind the glamour lies a story of devotion, heartbreak, and quiet resilience, shaped by tragedy, long-suffering love, and a loss that still lingers years later.<\/p>\n

The legendary star, now 85, made a rare public appearance at a prestigious ceremony held at the Motion Picture Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library.<\/p>\n

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\"Ann-Margaret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margaret is seen on December 2, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The event honored her decades-long commitment to supporting American service members \u2014 a cause she has championed with unwavering dedication.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret speaks onstage at the screening for \u201cBye Bye Birdie\u201d during the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Her\u00a0presence<\/a>\u00a0carried deep emotional weight, arriving just one day after her birthday and coinciding with a major milestone for the organization she has supported for years. It was a poignant reminder of a career \u2014 and life \u2014 that has spanned generations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret as seen in a video posted on November 12, 2024 | Source: Instagram\/officialannmargret<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A Glamorous Life Shadowed by Pain and Perseverance<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Over the decades, she became one of the most recognizable faces of her era \u2014 a dazzling triple threat known for acting, singing, and dancing her way into the hearts of millions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret as seen in a video posted on September 26, 2023 | Source: Instagram\/officialannmargret<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Born on April 28, 1941, she rose to fame at a remarkably\u00a0young age<\/a>, quickly cementing herself as a household name. Her career stretched across film, television, and live performance, showcasing a rare versatility that few could match. But behind the spotlight, her life was punctuated by moments of terrifying hardship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret is seen at Los Angeles International Airport on December 2, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In 1972, disaster struck when she\u00a0fell<\/a>\u00a0from a stage platform moments before a performance in Lake Tahoe. The accident left her with multiple facial fractures, a concussion, a broken jaw, and a broken arm \u2014 injuries so severe they required hours of surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret attends the USO event honoring Ann-Margret for her legacy of service at the Margaret Herrick Library on April 29, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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For a time, her future hung in the balance. Yet, in a testament to her resilience, she recovered \u2014 and returned to the stage. Years later, she revealed another deeply personal battle \u2014 her long and painful journey to start a family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret attends the USO event honoring Ann-Margret for her legacy of service at the Margaret Herrick Library on April 29, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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For more than a decade, she tried to become pregnant, turning to medical treatments and experimental devices in hopes of conceiving. The struggle\u00a0added<\/a>\u00a0a quiet layer of sorrow to a life that, from the outside, appeared glamorous and complete.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret speaks onstage at the screening for \u201cBye Bye Birdie\u201d during the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The woman at the center of this remarkable story is Ann-Margret \u2014 a name synonymous with timeless beauty and enduring strength. But perhaps the most defining chapter of her life was her marriage to actor Roger Smith.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret attends Project Angel Food’s Lead With Love 6 – A Fundraising Special at KTLA 5 on June 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A Love Story Tested by Devastating Illness<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Their relationship, which spanned decades, was built on deep affection and mutual support. Smith, once a successful television actor, later stepped back from his own career to manage hers \u2014 a sacrifice that spoke volumes about their bond. But their love would be tested in unimaginable ways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret attends Ann-Margret Honors The Wounded Warrior Project at Kiehl’s Since 1851 Nolita on September 18, 2014 in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Smith was\u00a0diagnosed<\/a>\u00a0with myasthenia gravis, a debilitating condition that gradually robbed him of strength and mobility. As his health declined, he became wheelchair-bound \u2014 and it was then that Ann-Margret’s devotion became even more evident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret as Rita Wilson | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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She remained steadfastly by his side, caring for him through the most difficult years of his life. But in June 2017, tragedy struck.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann Margret during St. Joseph Center Hosts 21st Annual Dinner, Dance and Auction at Skirball Center in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Smith\u00a0passed away<\/a>\u00a0at the age of 84 \u2014 less than a month after the couple had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The loss marked the end of a partnership that had defined much of her life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret stars in “Perfect Murder, Perfect Town” | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A Widow’s Heartbreaking Confession<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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In the years since his passing, she has spoken candidly about the pain of losing him \u2014 and the small, intimate moments she misses the most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret smiling for a photo | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“Oh, God, I loved his sense of humor! Loved it!”\u00a0<\/i>she\u00a0laughed<\/a>.\u00a0“We would always talk about things that we had done and faux pas that we had made. We laughed a lot.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret on April 17, 1997 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Then came the quiet admission that revealed the depth of her grief.\u00a0“I miss the laughter,”\u00a0<\/i>she\u00a0said<\/a>. She also\u00a0shared<\/a>\u00a0a glimpse into the private side of the man she loved \u2014 a side few others ever saw.\u00a0“He was very sensitive. He never really showed that to anybody [else]. It was something we shared. He was shy in communicating with people,” she said.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret poses for a portrait session on June 15, 1985 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Still Turning Heads and Capturing Hearts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Despite the profound loss, she has continued to remain active, stepping out into the public eye with grace and poise. Her recent appearance proved that her magnetic presence has not faded \u2014 if anything, it has only deepened with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret in Beverly Hills, California on March 6, 1981 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fans were quick to react, flooding social media with admiration. One person\u00a0said<\/a>,\u00a0“My crush forever. Always hot.”\u00a0<\/i>Another\u00a0wrote<\/a>,\u00a0“She is still a very beautiful woman.”\u00a0<\/i>A third\u00a0commented<\/a>,\u00a0“She’s still gorgeous.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret,<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret, wearing a yellow sequin outfit, attends a party at Studio One in West Hollywood, California on March 20, 1975 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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One person\u00a0said<\/a>,\u00a0“Darlin, you’re still as beautiful as you were in your 30s !!!”\u00a0<\/i>The outpouring of praise highlights the lasting impression she has left on generations of fans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Ann-Margret<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ann-Margret at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Today, Ann-Margret stands as more than just a Hollywood icon. She is a symbol of resilience, loyalty, and enduring love \u2014 a woman who weathered unimaginable challenges while maintaining her grace in the public eye.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A studio portrait of Ann-Margret posing in a lavender dress against an orange background | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Her recent appearance served as a powerful reminder: though time moves on, some legacies \u2014 and some love stories \u2014 remain unforgettable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

She stunned onlookers with a radiant appearance just one day after a milestone birthday \u2014 but behind the glamour lies a story of devotion, heartbreak, and quiet resilience, shaped by … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4786"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4787,"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4786\/revisions\/4787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storyintheworld.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}