It’s been over four decades since ABBA, the iconic Swedish supergroup, dominated the global music scene — and just as long since their personal relationships quietly unraveled behind the scenes. While fans have long speculated about the emotional toll of ABBA’s two high-profile breakups, few expected a recent heartfelt confession from Benny Andersson about his past with fellow bandmate and former partner, Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida).
In a new interview with a European music journal, Benny opened up in a way he rarely has — not just about the music, but about the emotional weight carried beneath the surface.
“It’s been many years,” Benny admitted, “but yes… I still think about her.”
The revelation comes as a surprise to longtime fans, who remember Benny and Frida’s marriage from 1978 to 1981. While their relationship was often overshadowed by the more publicized split between Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, Benny and Frida’s breakup was no less painful — especially given the intense pressure of fame, touring, and keeping personal heartbreak hidden behind perfect harmonies.
“We were trying to navigate two very different worlds,” Benny explained. “There was us — the real people — and then there was ABBA, the global phenomenon. Sometimes, the music held us together when everything else was pulling us apart.”
Though their divorce was quiet and relatively private, the emotional residue remained — not just for Benny and Frida, but within the music itself. Songs like “When All Is Said and Done” are widely believed to reflect the quiet ache of their parting.
When asked what still lingers most in his memory, Benny paused before responding:
“Her strength. Frida was always strong, always graceful — even when things were difficult between us. She never lost her dignity.”
Benny emphasized that there is no bitterness, only deep respect and affection. He confirmed that while they’re no longer close, they remain on good terms and reunited with warmth for ABBA’s 2021 Voyage project, which brought the original four members back together for the first time in decades.
“Seeing her again in the studio — it brought everything full circle,” he said. “We’re not the same people we were in the ’70s. But there’s still something between us… a history, a kindness. I think we both feel it.”
Fans have responded to Benny’s admission with heartfelt emotion, praising his honesty and expressing admiration for how ABBA continues to carry personal truth within their timeless music.
This quiet confession reminds us all: even after the applause fades and the spotlight moves on, the feelings behind the melodies often remain.
For Benny Andersson, the past isn’t something he lives in — but it’s something he still treasures. And in a rare, raw moment, he’s reminded the world that even icons remember the ones they once loved.