Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
At 84, Hollywood icon Ann-Margret has finally opened up about a chapter in her life that fans and tabloids have speculated about for decades — her deeply personal, and once quietly guarded, bond with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley.
In a recent, heartfelt interview celebrating her birthday and reflecting on her storied career, the Oscar-nominated actress spoke with a rare vulnerability about her time with Elvis during the early 1960s. “There was always love,” she said simply, her voice trembling slightly — not with regret, but with the weight of cherished memory.
🎬 A Love Sparked on Set
Their romance bloomed on the set of Viva Las Vegas in 1963. The chemistry between Ann-Margret and Elvis was undeniable — not just on screen, but behind the scenes as well. “We just clicked,” she admitted. “We had the same sense of humor, we loved music, and we understood each other without words.”
What fans long suspected — that theirs was more than just a fling — has now been tenderly confirmed. “He called me Thumper, like the bunny from Bambi,” she revealed with a soft laugh. “It was sweet. And I had a name for him too, but that’s just between us.”
❤️ A Quiet Devotion
Despite the intensity of their bond, their relationship was ultimately complicated by fame, expectations, and Elvis’s obligations to Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he would later marry. But there was no bitterness in Ann-Margret’s words — only a deep, abiding respect.
“I never spoke publicly because I didn’t want to exploit what we had,” she said. “Elvis was kind, generous, and vulnerable in ways people didn’t often get to see. I saw that part of him, and I kept it safe.”
📖 A Story Preserved in Silence
Ann-Margret’s choice to remain mostly silent all these years wasn’t out of fear, but loyalty. “We were both in the spotlight, but our moments together felt private — sacred, even.” She said she still remembers the sound of his laugh, the way he played the piano late into the night, and the quiet conversations they’d have after filming wrapped.
And yes — she kept many letters he wrote her, though she says they’re tucked away “where only I can find them.”
🕯 A Love That Endures in Memory
When Elvis died in 1977, Ann-Margret was one of the few people from his Hollywood years who was invited to Graceland for the private funeral. She went, heartbroken. “I loved him,” she now says. “I always will.”
For fans who had long suspected that their connection ran deeper than headlines suggested, her candid words now feel like a long-awaited affirmation. At 84, Ann-Margret has chosen not just to speak — but to honor.
And in doing so, she’s reminded the world that some love stories, even the quietest ones, leave the loudest echoes. 💔🎶