Back in the early '70s, ABBA burst onto the scene with a massive breakthrough when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with their unforgettable anthem, "Waterloo." This Swedish powerhouse consisted of two couples: the captivating Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson, along with Björn Kristian Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog. Over the decades, they skyrocketed to become one of the best-selling pop acts in music history. Stick around as we dive deeper into the story of whether this legendary band is still together.
Did ABBA Ever Break Up?
After their 1975 hit "Mamma Mia" and the 1976 sensation "Dancing Queen," ABBA's popularity soared like never before. Their music resonated not just with European audiences but with fans all around the globe, leading to multiple tours across North America and Europe. A pivotal moment for the group came with the release of the emotional breakup ballad "The Winner Takes All." This track hit particularly close to home for Björn and Agnetha, who had just gone through a divorce around the time of its release. The couple, who were married from 1971 to 1980, had two children together: Linda in 1973 and Peter in 1977. Similarly, Anni-Frid and Benny's marriage also hit rough waters, eventually ending in 1981 after only three years.
Despite the personal turmoil, the exes continued to work together, though not without some tension. Author Carl Magnus Palm described the situation in an interview with Closer in May 2020, saying, "They were all very stubborn and temperamental people, and you can imagine what it was like when they had differences of opinion. The energy had gone out of the band. They started as two couples in love — that was the foundation — but when you’re left with four individuals, it wasn’t so interesting anymore." By the mid-'80s, the four members of ABBA decided to go their separate ways. While they never officially announced a breakup, it was clear their time as a performing unit had come to an end as they all pursued solo projects.
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Is ABBA Still Together?
After their final public performance together in 1982, Anni-Frid, Benny, Björn, and Agnetha took a hiatus. However, their music continued to captivate audiences worldwide, leading to the creation of the Broadway musical Mamma Mia! based on their iconic songs. Two movie adaptations followed, bringing their music to an even broader audience. In April 2018, ABBA announced they had recorded two new songs together.
In a statement at the time, the band said, "We all felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forces again and go into the recording studio. So, we did. And it was like time had stood still and we had only been away on a short holiday. An extremely joyful experience!" This reunion led to the release of their album Voyage in November 2021. During a May 2022 interview with Variety, Benny explained that this project would likely be their last collaboration, saying, "It’s never say never, but it’s a no. Nothing is going to happen after this."
Despite not winning any of the categories at the 2023 Grammy Awards, the quartet received four nominations for their album Voyage and the track "Don’t Shut Me Down." Their music continues to resonate with fans, proving that ABBA's legacy remains timeless.
