Introduction
ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, 79, Opens Up About Struggles in His Marriage With 28-Year Age Gap: “I Just Gave Up”
At 79 years old, ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus remains one of pop music’s most recognizable figures. Known for his genius songwriting, iconic performances, and enduring influence as part of the Swedish supergroup ABBA, Björn has long kept his private life guarded. However, in a rare and deeply personal revelation, he recently opened up about the emotional toll his significant age gap with his ex-wife, Lena Källersjö, took on their marriage — and how it eventually led him to surrender to the growing distance between them.
Björn and Lena were married in 1981, just as ABBA was winding down. Their relationship started during a time of great transition in his life — both personally and professionally. Lena, 28 years his junior, brought new energy and stability after the tumultuous years with ABBA and his divorce from bandmate Agnetha Fältskog. For years, the couple seemed happy, raising two children and living a life largely out of the spotlight.
But in a recent interview, Björn admitted that beneath the surface, challenges were brewing — challenges largely rooted in their age difference. “In the beginning, it didn’t feel like a problem,” he confessed. “But over time, the gap grew wider — not just in years, but in lifestyle, in priorities, in energy. I tried to keep up, but I just couldn’t.”
The once vibrant dynamic between the two began to strain under the weight of different life stages. Lena still had the energy and enthusiasm to explore, travel, and be socially active, while Björn found himself slowing down, grappling with aging and the introspective questions it brings.
“I realized I couldn’t give her the life she still wanted,” he said, adding that they began growing apart emotionally, even though the love and respect remained. “It wasn’t dramatic. There was no big fight or betrayal. Just… silence, and then distance. I just gave up trying to bridge the gap.”
In 2022, after nearly 41 years of marriage, the couple quietly announced their separation. The news shocked many fans, who had long viewed their relationship as one of the few success stories to come out of the ABBA saga. But for Björn, the decision was bittersweet yet necessary.
Today, he speaks about the experience with both sorrow and clarity. He emphasizes the importance of emotional honesty in long-term relationships and the courage it takes to admit when things aren’t working — even if no one is at fault.
Despite the personal setbacks, Björn remains active in music and continues to be a vital part of ABBA’s legacy, including the groundbreaking ABBA Voyage project. Though his personal life may have faced heartbreak, his story stands as a reminder that love, even when it fades or changes form, leaves behind growth, lessons, and the strength to begin again.