Introduction
In a rare and revealing interview from Stockholm this week, Björn Ulvaeus — the legendary 79-year-old musician and co-founder of ABBA — opened up about the personal struggles he faced in his relationship with a much younger partner, shedding light on a deeply human side of the pop icon. For the first time, Ulvaeus spoke candidly about the emotional challenges that ultimately led him to step away from the relationship, citing the 28-year age difference as a source of “severe problems” that couldn’t be overcome, despite their initial love and connection.
“When we first met, age didn’t seem to matter,” Ulvaeus shared. “We connected through music, ideas, laughter, and a shared openness to life. I thought we could make it work, that love would be enough to bridge the gap.” But as time passed, he said, the realities of that age difference began to weigh heavily on the relationship.
“She was in a different chapter of life — energetic, adventurous, full of curiosity about the future. I, on the other hand, found comfort in quiet, reflection, and routine,” he explained. “We were living at two different speeds, dreaming in different directions.”
While Björn did not name his partner explicitly, it is known that after his long marriage to Lena Källersjö ended in 2022, he entered into a new relationship with a woman significantly younger than him. Though the pair kept their romance out of the public eye, Ulvaeus now admits that he tried hard to adapt — joining her on travels, engaging in activities that were outside of his comfort zone — but in the end, it left him feeling out of place and disconnected from himself.
“I was trying to keep up, trying not to feel old,” he said, “but eventually, I just gave up. I realized I was slowly losing who I was. It wasn’t fair to either of us.”
Björn emphasized that there was no bitterness or blame between them, only a deep recognition of reality. “There was love, yes. But love alone doesn’t erase time. It doesn’t erase the fact that we saw the world from two very different vantage points.”
Fans around the world have responded with empathy to the revelation, praising the honesty of a man who has often kept his private life intensely guarded. Some have also reflected on how this personal insight adds new emotional depth to the lyrics of ABBA — especially songs like Slipping Through My Fingers or When All Is Said and Done — which seem to echo themes of change, loss, and letting go.
“I don’t regret it,” Ulvaeus concluded. “Every relationship teaches you something. This one taught me that even when the heart is willing, the soul needs harmony. And sometimes, letting go is the most honest form of love.”
With this vulnerable admission, Björn Ulvaeus reminds us that no matter how famous or successful one becomes, the complexities of love, aging, and identity are universal — and sometimes, heartbreak is just another part of being human.