ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus shares heartache as ex-wife dies following leukaemia battle

ABBA star Björn Ulvaeus has paid tribute following the death of his ex-wife Lena Kallersjo at the age of 76. and he Mama Mia star were married for 41 years from 1981 until their divorce in 2022 and they share two daughters. The news was confirmed by Björn's long standing agent Görel Hanser. Björn, 80, expressed his sorrow to Swedish newspaper Expressen. "I miss her very much. It is very sad that she has died. I think of her often even though we divorced four years ago. And I think of our children Emma and Anna in this time of sorrow," he said.

While no cause of death has been confirmed in 2003 Lena, a music journalist, was diagnosed in with an incurable form of lymphatic leukaemia after discovering lumps in her throat. Recalling the moment she was given the life changing news she said: "We packed up, both Björn and I. We just grabbed each other. When we came out of there, we were stunned. Processing the news has been a long process."

She confessed the illnesshad fundamentally changed her perspective on life: "You change as a person when you only have a limited time left.

"You can't be mean to anyone; you probably become kinder and more honest," she said.

Lena was Björn's second wife. They met following his separation from fellow ABBA member Agnetha Fältskog, with whom he shares two children, and married following his divorce

They first met at a New Year's party in 1978 thrown by Björn's bandmates Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

Recalling their first encounter in 2020 Björn said: "We really fell in love at first sight. So strange that you're single for a week and then just fall there straight away.

"But it must have been right because we're still happily married after so many years."

However just two years later they announced their spearation in a joint statement writing: "We remain close and good friends and will continue to celebrate our grandchildren's birthdays and other family holidays together."

Björn is currently married to Christina Sas, 54, whom he wed in September 2024.