After the passing of beloved actor Roger Smith, his wife, Ann-Margret, is finding strength in the face of heartbreak. Roger, who was 84, tragically left this world on June 4th after enduring a long battle with myasthenia gravis. A close source familiar with Ann-Margret, who is 76, exclusively shared with Closer Weekly that she was nothing short of an "amazing nurse" to the 77 Sunset Strip star during the months leading up to his passing.
Ann-Margret and Roger in March 2017.
According to the source, their bond was unbreakable. Ann-Margret had long ago set her thriving career aside to nurture the man she loved so deeply. When Roger was first diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, he stepped into the role of managing her acting career, putting his own aspirations on hold to support her every step of the way. It wasn’t just a partnership—it was a true testament to their love and commitment.
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The couple, who first tied the knot in 1967, celebrated their golden anniversary on May 8th. "He really wanted to reach that 50-year mark," the source told Closer. It’s a sweet reminder of the love and hope they shared, even in the face of adversity.
Ann-Margret once opened up about her relationship with Roger in the early '70s. "Now in Roger I’ve found all the men I need rolled into one — a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman," she confided to writer Rex Reed in 1972, as reported by the LA Times. "It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man." Her words paint a vivid picture of the deep connection they shared.
Ann-Margret and Roger in 1975.
Roger admired Ann-Margret's strength and independence. In a 1976 interview with New York Magazine, he expressed a dream they never realized: co-starring together on Broadway. "I have this great dream that when Ann-Margret gets out of movies, she and I will co-star in a Broadway play," he revealed. But he acknowledged the challenges of balancing a successful acting career with marriage. "Right now I still think it
