Today, ABBA is celebrated as one of the world’s most iconic bands, with their Swedish ensemble still recognized as a global phenomenon. Agnetha Fältskog, one of the group’s lead vocalists alongside Anni-Frid Lyngstad, captivated audiences with her unforgettable pop voice, creating both heart-wrenching ballads and infectious dance tracks. Together, she and her bandmates have established themselves as some of the most compelling figures in music history.

Although Fältskog now enjoys a quiet life in Sweden, she hasn’t stopped making music and looks fantastic at 72! It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t heard of ABBA. Even today’s ten-year-olds can’t resist dancing to their songs, whether or not they witnessed the premiere of “Waterloo.”

Choosing a favorite ABBA song is no easy task, as they have a track for every occasion—joyful, sorrowful, motivational, or reflective—contributing to their status as global superstars. Fältskog truly exemplified this talent. Interestingly, after ABBA disbanded, all its members largely stepped back from the public eye. While they continued to create music, they opted for a more private life away from the limelight.

So, what happened to Agnetha after ABBA’s split? And how did she first become a member of the group? Here’s her inspiring story: Born on April 5, 1950, in Jönköping, Sweden, Agnetha was the daughter of Birgit Margareta Johansson and Knut Ingvar Fältskog, a department store employee. She had a passion for music from an early age, influenced by artists like Tom Jones, Petula Clark, and Dusty Springfield.

At just five years old, she wrote a song about two tiny “trolls.” By the age of eight, she was taking piano lessons and often practiced at her neighbor’s home, also singing in the local church choir. In 1960, at 13, she formed a band called The Cambers with two childhood friends, performing small gigs before deciding to pursue a new direction two years later.

Agnetha joined the Swedish folk band Bernt Enghardt, which played traditional dance music across Sweden. “Before me, a vocalist named Agneta left,” she recalls. “It was a big plus that I shared the same name when they found me after posting for a new singer.” While touring with Bernt Enghardt, she worked as a telephonist for a car company, balancing her demanding schedule.

After a night of performing, she would return home around two or three in the morning to go to work shortly afterward, leading to a day when she fainted at the dealership. Her mother then gave her an ultimatum: “You can either work a regular job or dedicate your life to singing.” Agnetha chose to pursue music.

She spent two more years with Bernt Enghardt before launching her solo career. After releasing her debut album, she added an “h” to her surname and achieved her first major hit, “Jag var så kär” [I Was So in Love], at just 17 years old. Björn Ulvaeus heard the song on the radio just as it hit number one on the Swedish sales chart in 1968.

“I remember listening to Agnetha’s debut single on the radio,” Benny Andersson recalled in the BBC documentary Agnetha: Abba and After. “There was something extraordinary about her voice, especially since she had written the song herself—it was beautiful.” He noted that she consistently produced great songs.

Björn and Benny, already accomplished musicians, eventually found themselves performing together with Agnetha and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Anni-Frid and Agnetha provided backing vocals on Björn and Benny’s 1970 album Lycka [Happiness]. They later released The Singles – The First Ten Years, featuring new songs alongside their greatest hits. However, as New Year’s Eve approached, ABBA took a hiatus.

While they mentioned the possibility of reuniting in a few years, it never came to fruition. Instead, Agnetha focused on her solo career, releasing several songs, including the hit “Wrap Your Arms Around Me” from her three albums in the 1980s. After some modest success, she chose to step back, preferring a quieter life. She now resides on an island off the coast of Stockholm and still looks stunning!

Fältskog’s decision to leave ABBA and her successful career behind puzzled many, leading some to view her as enigmatic. However, she clarified her stance in an interview with The Guardian, stating, “I’ve been labeled as mysterious, but that’s not true. I lead a private life. I have children, grandchildren, two dogs, and a lovely rural home. I believe I’m grounded.”

Now a grandmother of three, Agnetha spends quality time with her grandchildren, who are mostly unaware of her past as a global icon. “I enjoy singing with them; they really can sing, and it’s delightful to hear. I don’t discuss ABBA much with them yet, but they’ll learn more as they grow older. Tilda, the oldest, is starting to understand.”

According to The Guardian, Agnetha Fältskog’s net worth is estimated at around $20 million, a figure that may increase with ABBA’s rumored reunion. Her last album was released in 2013, but Björn Ulvaeus recently announced that new ABBA music will be available soon. He told the Herald Sun, “There will be new music this year; it’s definite—it’s no longer a possibility; it will happen.”

“We share a very close bond. For the first time in 40 years, the four of us are back in the studio together, and it’s wonderful to reflect on what we’ve been through. The connections are strong, but articulating them can be difficult. Agnetha Fältskog’s voice has captured my heart completely, and I can’t wait to see her perform again because she is an incredible talent.”