Introduction:
A RARE CONFESSION FROM STOCKHOLM: Björn Ulvaeus Breaks His Silence on His Long-Ago Divorce from Agnetha Fältskog — And His Words Have Left Fans Around the World Speechless
Stockholm was unusually quiet last night when one of Sweden’s most respected cultural icons, Björn Ulvaeus, unexpectedly addressed a subject he has avoided for decades: his painful divorce from fellow ABBA member Agnetha Fältskog. For years, the separation had been discussed only in fragments, wrapped in silence, respect, and the band’s determination to keep personal struggles out of the spotlight. But in a rare and emotional interview, Björn finally opened up — and the honesty of his words has stunned fans across the world.
Speaking from a small studio overlooking Stockholm’s winter-lit harbor, the 80-year-old songwriter described the dissolution of their marriage as “the quiet tragedy behind some of ABBA’s most beautiful songs.” Though the couple separated more than four decades ago, Björn admitted that the emotional weight of that period still lives within him.
“It wasn’t about anger. It was about two young people who grew apart while the world demanded more from us than we knew how to give,” he said. He explained that the pressures of fame, relentless touring, and the overwhelming international success of ABBA strained the relationship long before the public realized anything was wrong. “We were exhausted, constantly moving, constantly performing. Somewhere in the middle of all that noise, we stopped listening to each other.”
Björn spoke tenderly of Agnetha, emphasizing that he has always admired her strength, sensitivity, and artistic fire. “She gave everything — to the music, to the fans, to our family. And I will always be grateful for that,” he said. He also revealed that some of ABBA’s most emotionally charged songs, including those centered on heartbreak and longing, were born from that difficult chapter of their lives.
What struck fans most was Björn’s admission of regret. Not regret for the divorce itself, he clarified, but for “the moments of silence” between them — the things left unsaid, the vulnerability he was too proud or too frightened to express at the time.
Although he and Agnetha have long rebuilt a respectful and harmonious relationship as collaborators and friends, Björn’s confession offers a rare window into the emotional reality behind ABBA’s glittering success. For many fans, his words have deepened their understanding of the music that shaped generations.
As Björn concluded, “Pain fades, life moves on, but the memories we shaped — both beautiful and difficult — live forever in the songs.”