Actress Ann-Margret has made her mark on Hollywood for nearly five decades. Loved for her bold red locks, sultry singing voice and good girl gone bad sex appeal, she remains a timeless style icon.
Born in Sweden in 1941, Ann-Margret moved to the United States at the age of six, settling in Wilmette, Illinois. After studying dance and theater in high school, Margret entered talent contests and traveled around the country performing with different musical groups. It was in Las Vegas that she would be discovered by comedian George Burns who invited her to audition for his annual Holiday Show at the Sahara Hotel. Ann won the part and became so popular that she was offered exclusive contracts with RCA Records and 20th Century Fox. In 1961, she released her first album and made her silver screen debut in the Frank Capra directed Pocketful of Miracles opposite Bette Davis, followed by the classic Rogers and Hammerstein's musical State Fair. Her next role as Kim MacAfee in 1963's Bye, Bye Birdie would launch Margret into superstardom.
After the huge success of Bye, Bye Birdie, Ann was paired up with rock'n'roll's biggest star, Elvis Presley for 1964's Viva Las Vegas. Sparks flew between the two immediately, with she and Presley becoming romantically involved. It was rumored that Presley was so smitten with Ann-Margret that he seriously considered leaving his fiancee, Priscilla. As filming ended, the two continued to see each other but when the British press reported them as a couple, Presley called it quits. They remained friends until his tragic death in 1977 but those close to him say he always considered her his "soulmate". Margret went on to have long career, proving herself as a true "triple threat" singer, dancer and actress.
