During a memorable trip to New York City, the iconic Ingrid Bergman took her young grandson, Justin Daly, to a toy store. “She told me, ‘You can have anything you want.’ I was so excited,” Justin Daly exclusively shared with the latest issue of Closer magazine, available on newsstands now. “I picked out this plastic gorilla, about two feet high. I remember her laughing as I made my choice.”
For millions of movie lovers, Ingrid Bergman is immortalized as the radiant star of timeless films such as Casablanca (1942), Gaslight (1944), and Spellbound (1945). But for Justin Daly, the son of Ingrid’s eldest child, Pia Lindström, she was affectionately known as "Mormor," the Swedish word for grandmother. "I knew there was something extraordinary about her," Justin recalls. "But she was also incredibly down-to-earth and approachable."
Life in London: The Later Years
In the final years of her life, the Stockholm-born star called London home. Justin, now 48, who grew up in New York where his mother Pia, 82, was a television news anchor, cherished the visits to his grandmother's home. "She lived in Chelsea in what seemed like a modest house. She had several floors but it wasn't palatial," he says. "Even though she was a global icon, her lifestyle was surprisingly humble."
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Living Room Trophies: A Corner of Glory
The three-time Academy Award-winning actress kept her impressive collection of accolades in a quiet corner of her living room. "It wasn’t the focal point of the room, just a table in the corner where she displayed the Tony Award, the Oscars, Emmys, BAFTA Awards, and more," Justin reminisces. "She was incredibly proud of her work, and it was clear that her achievements were meaningful to her, but they didn’t define her."
Family Traditions: Swedish Christmas Memories
No matter how far her career took her, Ingrid always made it a point to spend Christmas with her family. "My mother would host a traditional Swedish Christmas," Justin fondly recalls. The celebration was filled with joy, costumes, singing, and a grand feast. "Everyone, including my grandmother, would get up and dance around the dinner table. It was magical," he adds.
Connection Beyond Distance: Postcards and Cassette Tapes
Even when they were apart, Ingrid stayed connected with Justin through postcards and cassette recordings. "She would start a conversation on a cassette tape. I would record my response and mail it back to her," he shares. "It was a unique way to stay in touch, and it felt like she was always a part of my life, no matter the distance."
Legacy of Love and Loss
Ingrid tragically passed away in 1982 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Justin, who was only 10 at the time, recalls the overwhelming chaos of her funeral. "There were hundreds of photographers. We couldn’t even get through the crowd, and a camera hit me in the head. I started to cry, not because it hurt, but because I was scared," he says. "That’s when I realized that she wasn’t just my grandmother, she was a public figure whose life touched so many people."
Ingrid left an indelible mark on her grandson, inspiring him not only as a grandmother but also as an artist. "She inspired me to become a director and continue her legacy," Justin explains. In 2018, he directed his first feature film, The Big Take, and he's currently working on a new project, Hide Out. "She was more fortunate in her work than in love," he reflects. "Her work was her one true love, and it’s something I deeply admire about her."
Reporting by Natalie Posner
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