Björn Ulvaeus

Björn Kristian Ulvaeus (Swedish IPA: [bjœːɳ ɵl'veːɵs]) (born April 25, 1945) is a Swedish musician and composer, most notable as a member of ABBA.

Ulvaeus was born in Gothenburg, but as a child he moved with his family to Västervik. Ulvaeus studied Business and Law at the Lund University after doing his Military Service with stand-up comedian Magnus Holmström

Prior to gaining international recognition as a member of ABBA, Björn was a member of the Hootenanny Singers. While on the road in 1966, they encountered the Hep Stars, and Björn quickly became friends with the group’s keyboard player, Benny Andersson. While filming a pop special for television in March 1969, Björn met eighteen-year-old Agnetha Fältskog. Benny would then meet Anni-Frid Lyngstad soon after.

After being a member of ABBA he has, together with Andersson, created the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla (based on the Immigrant novels by Swedish writer Vilhelm Moberg), and Mamma Mia! (based on existing ABBA songs).

Together with Andersson, Ulvaeus was nominated for the Drama Desk Award in a category "Outstanding Music" (for the musical Chess), and for a Tony Award in a category "Best Orchestrations" (for musical Mamma Mia!). Original cast recordings of both musicals were nominated for a Grammy Award. Ulvaeus also shared with Andersson "The Special International Ivor Novello Award" from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, "The Music Export Prize" from the Swedish Ministry of Industry and Trade, and "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Swedish Music Publishers Association (SMFF).

On July 6, 1971, Björn married Fältskog; the marriage resulted in two children Linda (born in 1973), and Christian (born in 1977). In July 1980, Björn and Agnetha divorced, although they both agreed to remain in ABBA. Björn then married music journalist Lena Kallersjö on January 6, 1981, and the marriage produced another two daughters, Emma (born in 1982) and Anna (born in 1986).

Ulvaeus and Kallersjö live in Stockholm. From 1984 to 1990 they resided in the UK where Ulvaeus founded an IT-business together with his brother.

Ulvaeus is a member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union's Swedish member organisation Humanisterna and was awarded their annual prize, Hedenius-priset, in 2006.

External links

• Interview in "Humanisten"

See also

• List of Swedes in music
• Mamma Mia!