Benny Andersson Finally Reveals the Heartbreaking Truth Behind ABBA’s Breakup

ABBA’s return to the music scene after 40 years has been one of the most eagerly awaited comebacks in pop history.

Alongside their new studio album, fans are also excited about the upcoming sequel to Mamma Mia! — a film titled Here We Go Again, which serves as a prequel exploring the band’s early days.

Yet, while the world celebrates ABBA’s resurgence, Benny Andersson has chosen this moment to reveal a deeply personal and painful chapter of the band’s past.

Back in the 1970s, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad—known affectionately as Frida—were seen as the perfect couple, adored by millions.

Their romance blossomed alongside ABBA’s meteoric rise to fame, and together they helped craft the sound that would make ABBA legendary.

But behind the sparkling costumes and chart-topping hits, their relationship was far from perfect.

Benny first met Frida in 1969, before ABBA was formed.

Frida was already making waves in Sweden’s folk music scene, while Benny was a rising star with his band The Hep Stars.

Their connection was immediate, sparked by Frida’s fiery red hair and powerhouse voice.

They bonded over a shared passion for music and a mutual dream of success.

Throughout the 1970s, as ABBA’s global popularity soared, Benny and Frida’s relationship deepened.

Benny’s perfectionism in the studio complemented Frida’s emotional spontaneity, creating a powerful creative partnership.

However, the same differences that fueled their artistic success began to strain their personal bond.

Benny preferred a low profile away from the spotlight, while Frida embraced the social side of celebrity life.

The relentless pressures of fame and constant touring only exacerbated the tension.

By the late 1970s, cracks in their relationship had become impossible to ignore.

Benny often buried himself in work, spending long nights in the studio.

Meanwhile, rumors swirled about his growing closeness to Mona Nilet, a television worker he met during an ABBA TV special.

In early 1981, Benny confessed to Frida that he had feelings for Mona.

The revelation devastated Frida, and after nine years together, their relationship came to an end.

In a rare and emotional 1981 interview with the Swedish newspaper Expressen, Benny struggled to articulate the heartbreak that had fractured both his personal life and the band.

His hands trembled as he spoke candidly about the pain and uncertainty.

Though he insisted they remained friends, those close to the couple could see the deep wounds beneath his words.

Frida, too, gave her own interview that week, carrying herself with quiet strength.

While acknowledging the pain, she expressed hope for the future and spoke of finding comfort in a new relationship.

She no longer viewed marriage as essential but still believed in the enduring power of love.

The breakup of Benny and Frida marked a turning point for ABBA.

Though the band continued to produce music for another year and a half, the spark that once defined them had dimmed.

Songs like “The Winner Takes It All” and “When All Is Said and Done” took on new, poignant meaning, reflecting the heartbreak and loss behind the scenes.

Frida’s personal history was marked by hardship long before fame.

Born in Norway in 1945 to a Norwegian mother and a German soldier, she faced stigma and rejection as a war child.

Her family fled to Sweden to escape the backlash, and music became her refuge.

From singing on small stages as a child to touring with jazz bands as a teenager, Frida’s voice and spirit shone through adversity.

In 1977, a reunion with her estranged father—whom she had believed dead—was arranged but proved emotionally distant and uncomfortable.

Later, after ABBA disbanded, Frida married Prince Heinrich Ruzzo Reuss of Plauen, becoming a princess.

Yet royal life brought its own challenges, as strict protocols and expectations clashed with her free-spirited nature.

Tragedy struck in 1998 when Frida’s daughter, Anna Lisa, died in a car accident.

The loss devastated Frida, who withdrew from public life and found solace in reconnecting with Benny.

Their shared history and understanding of life in the spotlight offered a rare comfort during her darkest days.

Though Frida stepped away from the limelight, ABBA’s legacy endured.

Their music continued to resonate across generations, culminating in the groundbreaking 2021 album Voyage—their first new release in 40 years.

The band also pioneered a revolutionary concert experience featuring digital avatars of themselves performing alongside a live band in London.

This innovative show, which cost $175 million to develop, has sold over 1.3 million tickets globally and introduced ABBA’s timeless music to new audiences.

Despite the success of Voyage, ABBA has no plans for traditional tours, having turned down a reported $1 billion offer.

Instead, they continue to push the boundaries of live music through technology, blending nostalgia with innovation.

Benny Andersson’s candid revelations shed light on the complex human stories behind ABBA’s glittering facade.

The pressures of fame, personal differences, and heartbreaking betrayals all played a role in the band’s breakup.

Yet through it all, the music—and the bond between its members—has endured.

As fans celebrate ABBA’s triumphant return, Benny’s story reminds us that even the brightest stars face shadows.

Their journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of music to heal and unite.