Ann-Margret is still chasing speed at the age of 85, she says she has never been afraid of a bike
At 85, Ann-Margret still has a need for speed.
The “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Viva Las Vegas” legend is opening up his archives to fans, partnering with Julien’s Auctions to sell collectibles, household items and extravagant costumes designed by Bob Mackie beginning June 23.
Another crown jewel of the sale is his custom 1997 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Hugger, decked out in a mauve-and-daisy design and ridden by the star for more than 20 years.
When asked by Fox News Digital what riding means to him, the actor, without missing a beat, said, “Freedom, freedom, freedom!”
Ann-Margret noted that she loves “speed” and still happily rides today.
“Back in Sweden, my uncle, my mother’s brother, had a big motorcycle,” he said. “I looked at him, and I asked him if I could ride with him, and I did. It was. I had to have mine.”
Reluctantly, Ann-Margret answered, “No,” when asked if she was ever afraid.
“Isn’t that something?” he said. “I never go. I like speed. I try not to go too fast, although I like speed. I’m happy when I ride that bike. I’m not afraid. That’s the problem!”
A dedicated motorcycle enthusiast since the 1960s, Ann-Margret has spent decades chasing adventure on two wheels, both on set and off.
In one of her best photos, photographer Douglas Kirkland captured the star in 1971 running down the Las Vegas strip in a crouch, wearing a patriotic ensemble and knee-high boots.
And if the star gets any second glance from the reckless bikers, it seems he doesn’t.
“I’m too busy making sure I’m riding my bike correctly, I don’t see things like that!” laughing.
That independent play extends beyond the open road. At her home, visitors can expect to find a sign that reads, “You can tell a Swede, but you can’t tell him much,” which was put up by her late husband, Roger Smith.
“It’s true,” he laughed. “I’m a rebel. And I’m happy. I’m happy with my life. I’ve had 54 good years with Roger. I’m a happy person. And I enjoy my job. It’s not a job for me. I deeply appreciate my fans. I understand that they understand me. I’m determined to be an entertainer, but again, it’s not a job for me.”
Ann-Margret never played by the rules. One item up for auction is an ivory and orange plunging V-neck dress she wore in 1963 during an appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
She wore the same ensemble to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1963 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, following in Marilyn Monroe’s footsteps a year later.
“It’s a beautiful dress,” she said. “And I had the courage to sing ‘Baby, Can You Ask Me to Come Back Home’ [to the president]. I was very young. And that strength? Yes, I had a great time.”
The memory of what was done for Kennedy remains tied to another incident from that chapter of his life. Ann-Margret described voting for Kennedy as one of the many highlights of her life.
“I was very happy to vote,” he said. “It will always be a special moment for me and I love my boys and girls [from the USO]. I certainly remember all the trips I made. They all still mean the world to me.”
Ann-Margret’s many Bob Mackie dresses at auction helped solidify her status as a Hollywood sex symbol, a topic she’s not shy about.
“Well, if men think I’m beautiful, that’s fine,” she cheered. “It’s fine with me.
There’s no denying that Ann-Margret has remained young at heart over the years. Another item up for sale is a signed 1979 book written by Arnold Schwarzenegger titled “Arnold’s Bodyshaping for Women.” The two starred in the 1979 comedy “The Villain.”
“One thing I really can’t keep [up with Arnold] you really eat dinner at seven o’clock,” she said, “But you’re amazing. The proof is in the pudding with him. He practices what he preaches.”
Like Schwarzenegger, Ann-Margret credits discipline and longevity with helping to sustain a career spanning decades. He said he was still surprised by the unwavering support from his fans, admitting that he was “humbled by everything.”
“I’ve been working non-stop all those years, and here I am,” he said. “I still get really nervous before I do something. But it’s fun. I’m much better emotionally today than I was when I was 18. And I was fine. I think I have. [also] he was very good at hiding it. Once I start singing and dancing, I get so into it that I feel confident.”
And Ann-Margret has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
“Even when I was four or five years old, I was always moving,” she said. “I was always moving, I moved a lot, and I continue to move, I am a happy person, especially when I move.”
That idea has fueled him for decades. Ann-Margret previously told Fox News Digital that it’s no secret that her love of Harley-Davidsons has kept her young.
“When I was ten years old, I was riding on the back [my uncle’s] He recalled at the time, “he would take me to the Norwegian border, and then we would go to Norway. There is no way I will ever forget that motorcycle.”
“I have a lot of energy,” he thought. “It doesn’t come in a bottle. I’m just blessed that my mom and dad gave me a lot of strength. And there’s no negativity here. They instilled in me all these great things that I still carry with me. You don’t cry about things. You just go out and do the things you love. And I feel blessed for the life I’ve been given.”
