Introduction
ABBA Legend Björn Ulvaeus, 79, Unveils His New Sideline Job as Public Speaker for ‘Fireside Chats and Q&A Sessions’
In 2025, legendary musician and songwriter Björn Ulvaeus, best known as one of the founding members of the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA, is embracing a new chapter in his career. At 79 years old, Ulvaeus has announced his surprising yet inspiring new sideline role: public speaker. He will be offering fireside chats and Q&A sessions across Europe and beyond, focusing on music, creativity, innovation, and the cultural legacy of ABBA.
In a press statement released in June 2025, Ulvaeus shared that he was looking for a more personal and reflective way to connect with people — not through concerts, but through conversations.
“I’ve spent a lifetime telling stories through music,” he said. “Now I want to share the stories behind the music, the lessons I’ve learned, and the experiences that shaped my journey.”
These intimate speaking engagements will not be large-scale events, but rather exclusive sessions held at universities, music institutions, tech conferences, and private industry gatherings. The format will vary from solo talks to moderated Q&As, and, occasionally, special appearances with other artists or cultural figures.
Ulvaeus’ career is filled with rich material to draw from. As a principal songwriter of ABBA, he co-wrote countless global hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “The Winner Takes It All.” Since the band’s heyday in the 1970s and early 1980s, Ulvaeus has remained highly active in the entertainment world — from co-creating the wildly successful Mamma Mia! musical and films, to advocating for copyright reform and digital rights in the music industry.
More recently, he was a key driving force behind ABBA Voyage, the groundbreaking virtual concert experience launched in London in 2022, where lifelike avatars of the band performed in front of live audiences. The show was a critical and commercial success, reinforcing ABBA’s legacy for a new generation. Ulvaeus’ involvement in this project made him a respected voice in discussions around the future of music, AI, and immersive technology — topics he now includes in his speaking appearances.
In interviews about his new sideline, Ulvaeus emphasizes that these talks are not about nostalgia, but rather about sharing insights on creativity, longevity, and reinvention. He hopes to inspire younger generations of musicians and entrepreneurs to think beyond traditional paths.
His first scheduled fireside chat is set to take place at a major tech and culture conference in Stockholm this September, followed by appearances in London, Berlin, and New York. These events are expected to sell out quickly, as fans and professionals alike are eager to hear firsthand wisdom from one of pop music’s most enduring minds.
At 79, Björn Ulvaeus proves that creativity doesn’t retire. Whether through song or spoken word, he continues to inspire — not by looking back, but by looking forward, always evolving, always engaging, and always eager to connect.