Ann-Margret has never been just another Hollywood bombshell. The Bye Bye Birdie legend is so much more than her show-stopping dance moves and famous strawberry-blonde hair—she’s a woman who’s spent six decades quietly serving our country in a way most people don’t even realize.
On April 28, 1941, Ann-Margret Olsson was born in Stockholm, Sweden. At just five years old, she and her mother immigrated to the U.S.—where they’d join her father, who had moved there a few years earlier in search of work. Ann-Margret discovered her passion for performing at an early age. By high school, she was already singing with bands and even recorded her first album before graduation! But she wasn’t just brilliant onstage: Ann had the brains to match and would go on to study at Northwestern University.
In 1962, she got the opportunity to perform at the Academy Awards and her life would transform overnight. By the next morning, every casting director in Hollywood knew her name.
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What followed was one of the most iconic careers in Hollywood history. She lit up the screen alongside Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas, earned her first Oscar nomination for Carnal Knowledge and brought audiences to tears in Tommy.
Off-screen, she survived a near-fatal 22-foot fall from a Lake Tahoe stage—only to return within ten weeks. She married 77 Sunset Strip actor Roger Smith in 1967 and stayed by his side for 50 incredible years—up until his death in 2017. She won an Emmy at 69, walked the red carpet on her 80th birthday and just last month, she was honored with the USO Commemorative Challenge Coin in recognition of her decades of service to our country—an honor only one other person has ever received in the organization’s 85-year history: Bob Hope.
Photo by Bettmann on Getty Images
But the most beautiful part of Ann-Margret’s story isn’t found in the awards or the accolades. From the moment she became famous, she made a promise to herself to use her platform to uplift the men and women serving our country. She toured with the USO three different times—including two trips to Vietnam during the war to sing for American troops on the front lines. And six decades later, at 85 years old, she’s still showing up for our nation’s heroes—just like she has for her entire career.
In a society built on chasing youth, Ann-Margret has always chosen something so much more beautiful—to embrace every age, every chapter and every season of life with grace, joy and giving back. Decade after decade, she continues to prove that the brightest light isn’t found in being 25 forever or discovering some kind of skincare secret—because the purest joy and purpose is found by being your best self at every single age. And that’s exactly why Ann-Margret is today’s quote of the day.
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Quote of the Day by Ann-Margret
“I want to be the very best age, whatever age I am.”
In just 13 simple words, Ann-Margret gives us a gift that instantly undoes everything we’ve been told about aging. We’ve all caught ourselves looking back—wishing we were younger, thinner, more energetic—or anxiously looking ahead and worrying about what’s next. But with these words, Ann-Margret reminds us that the most beautiful place to be is exactly where we are right now.
Whatever number our birthday says this year, that’s the age we get to be our very best at. It’s a quote that doesn’t ask us to fight against time—it asks us to happily accept it—and most importantly, empowers us to shine in it.
Deeper Meaning of Ann-Margret’s Quote—Embrace Who You Are Right Now
From magazine covers to skincare ads to social media, we live in a world that’s constantly defining us by numbers: our age, weight, pants size. But Ann-Margret is offering a much more freeing truth—that the best version of ourselves isn’t one we were at a younger age—or one will be in the future when we fit into a certain dress size. It’s exactly who we are right now. The wrinkles and gray hairs and the body changes that come with time aren’t signs that our best days are behind us. They’re proof that we’ve lived, we’ve loved and just like fine wine, we always get better with age!
“I always think that age is a natural progression, and I’m ready for it,” she’s said. “I’m going to be the best 85-year-old that I can be.” Choosing to love and accept yourself right now sounds intimidating, but it’s truly the recipe for living your best life. It’s not always going to be easy—it takes work. So whether you’re 28 or 82, think of your current age as absolute the best time of your life—and before you know it, it will be.
Photo by Amanda Edwards on Getty Images
More Quotes From Ann-Margret
- “It doesn’t matter what age you get it. I’m happy to take the ride.”
- “Age is such a natural progression you shouldn’t fight it.”
- “I was always taught that you don’t think you are anything special, ’cause there’s always someone who is more special than you. Just be the best you that you can be.”
- “I’ve been so fortunate. People are so kind. I really am grateful for that.”
- “I feel I have this joy in my heart. I just love performing. I always have, since I was four years old.”
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