Ann-Margret's 50-Year Marriage To Roger Smith Started With A Rather Disappointing Wedding

Aug 19, 2019

Many marriages end soon after they begin. In fact, studies have shown that about 40 to 50 percent of all marriages end up in divorce. That is why we should always celebrate any marriages that actually stand the test of time. True love does exist, and we love to hear and share these stories as much as possible.

This is the case for Ann-Margaret, a talented singer and famous actor we have all heard of. Ann-Margaret is well- known for her part in “Viva Las Vegas,” a 1964 movie that starred her and Elvis Presley. Ann-Margaret was also featured in “Kitten with a Whip” and “The Pleasure Seekers.”

Recently, Ann-Margaret talked to People magazine about her love life. She revealed to the reporter that she knew that her husband, Roger Smith, was the right man for her by their third date. She went on to say that she knew that she would be able to depend on him and that he would always protect her. She stated that she sensed it completely.

Apparently, Roger Smith felt the same way about her. The pair tied the knot in 1967 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary back in 2017. However, their marriage didn’t exactly start off on a bright note.

The eager couple decided to elope to Las Vegas. They exchanged their vows in a seedy room that smelled like smoke. Ann-Margaret said that it was far from glamourous and not at all how she had envisioned being married. She went on to say that she even cried the whole way through the ceremony.

However, the pair did not let their shaky wedding day keep them down. She revealed the secret to a happy wedding in her interview: laughter. Ann-Margaret stated that they always laughed before anyone else did. She feels that if you cannot laugh at yourself, then you are going to be in trouble. She also said that they simply wanted their marriage to work.

Of course, every marriage will have its ups and downs, no matter how strong it is. Ann-Margaret fell from a 22-foot platform back in 1972, a fall that could have been fatal. There was also the myasthenia gravis diagnosis that Roger received later.

Myasthenia gravis is a nerve and muscle disorder that can be fatal. For Roger, it was. A month after their 50th anniversary, Roger passed away at the age of 84. It was a truly heart-breaking end to a long-lasting love story. We are just happy that the pair had more than five amazing decades together. What a successful couple for sure!

Do you know any couples that have been married for decades? Let us know in the comments and be sure to tell us about them! Then, pass this article along to others.