Introduction
“Agnetha Fältskog Breaks Her Silence: The Untold Truth Behind ABBA, Divorce, and Life After Fame”
In her 2013 BBC Breakfast interview, Agnetha Fältskog reflected on returning to music after three decades of relative seclusion. She admitted that at first her voice felt “rusty” and required lessons to regain strength, but she found joy again in recording. Her new single “When You Really Love Someone” carried the melancholy tone she naturally gravitates toward, as she describes herself as a romantic and a storyteller through song.
Agnetha addressed misconceptions about her post-ABBA life, rejecting the idea that she was a recluse. Instead, she explained that after years of intense fame, she simply needed space, balance, and privacy. She admitted that the final years of ABBA were exhausting and emotionally difficult, especially with her divorce from Björn Ulvaeus and later the breakup of Benny and Frida. Performing songs like “The Winner Takes It All” during such personal turmoil was painful but necessary for the group’s commitment to their fans.
She also spoke warmly about her home life, sharing how she enjoys singing and whistling with her grandchildren, teaching them piano, and living quietly on her farm surrounded by animals. Interestingly, she revealed that ABBA is rarely discussed with her grandchildren, as she now lives a life far removed from the spotlight.
When asked about a possible ABBA reunion, Agnetha was candid: too much time had passed, and the divorces within the band made it unlikely. For her, ABBA’s legacy was already complete, and there was “too much water under the bridge” to go back.