Introduction
At 78, ABBA’s Benny Andersson opened up about the personal struggles of his former bandmate and ex-wife Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida), as well as his own life challenges.
ABBA Relationships and Breakups:
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Benny and Frida met in 1969, married in 1978, but divorced in 1981 due to the pressures of fame and personal differences.
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Both ABBA couples (Benny-Frida and Björn-Agnetha) eventually divorced, though initially claimed it was amicable. In reality, both women suffered emotionally.
Frida’s Tragic Past:
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Frida was born during WWII as the daughter of a Norwegian woman and a German soldier, leading to societal rejection.
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Her mother died when Frida was 2, and she was raised by her grandmother in Sweden.
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She lost her daughter in a car accident in 1998 and her third husband (a German prince) to cancer in 1999.
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Frida has since lived a quiet life in Switzerland and found solace in her faith.
Agnetha’s Struggles:
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After her divorce from Björn, Agnetha battled anxiety, fear of crowds, and felt isolated.
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She experienced stalker incidents, a secret marriage that ended in divorce, and severe depression following her mother’s suicide and her father’s death.
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She later lived reclusively but made a brief comeback with a 2004 album.
Benny’s Reflections:
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Benny admitted to struggling with alcohol during ABBA’s peak fame as a coping mechanism.
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He became a father at 17, later felt guilt for being absent from his children’s lives.
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He quit drinking in 2001, calling it a turning point in his life.
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He also endured the tragic loss of a son, Alex, in a car accident and struggled with guilt over it.
ABBA’s Legacy:
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Despite personal hardships, ABBA achieved massive success, selling over 350 million records.
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They never officially broke up, but ceased performing together in 1982.
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Their music has seen enduring popularity, especially with the success of Mamma Mia! musicals and movies.
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The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 and remains a cultural icon.