ABBA after 38 years since writing the song 'Happy New Year'

ABBA wrote the song.Happy New YearAround late 1979 to early 1980 – the transitional period between two decades. The song is included in the album.Super TrouperReleased in 1980 by the group. Blonde singer Agnetha Faltskog is the lead vocalist on the song.

The song "Happy New Year"

At that time, ABBA was already a world-famous pop group after 8 years of formation. The relationships of the two couples in the group also attracted a lot of attention from fans. However,Happy New YearIt was released at a time when the group had passed its peak and the marriages of the two couples were beginning to crumble. That's why this New Year's song has such a melancholic mood.

Two rare ABBA reunions in 2004 and 2016.

Thirty-eight years after this timeless song was released, each member of the band has experienced many ups and downs in their lives. Currently, they still maintain a good friendship with each other.

1. Agnetha Faltskog

Agnetha – one of the two lead female singers – was dubbed the "golden girl of ABBA." Agnetha was famous for her high, clear voice and captivating appearance. She had a fairytale marriage with male band member Bjorn Ulvaeus. The couple married in 1971 – a year before they formed ABBA with Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The singer and Bjorn had two children, a son and a daughter. Their love story coincided with the band's tremendous success throughout the 1970s.

In January 1979, Agnetha and Bjorn announced their separation. They officially divorced in 1980. The reason for the divorce was not revealed, but Bjorn was seen dating another woman. Agnetha tried to maintain a friendship with Bjorn and continued performing with the band. However, in 1982, ABBA finally disbanded.

Agnetha Faltskog pursued a solo career for a year before withdrawing from the spotlight to care for her two children. She suffered from agoraphobia, stage fright, and fear of transportation after a plane crash. In 2004, Agnetha returned to the music scene with an album covering her early hits. Nearly a decade later, in 2013, Agnetha made a surprise comeback with another album.A- Sold 1 million copies.

After divorcing Bjorn, Agnetha's love life continued to be turbulent. The singer briefly dated detective Thorbjorn Brander before marrying surgeon Tomas Sonnenfeld from 1990 to 1992. She dated a Dutch truck driver who was a fan in 1997. In 2005, Agnetha had a relationship with Bertil Nordstrom, a wealthy friend of the King of Sweden, but it only lasted three years. Since then, she hasn't dated anyone else and lives a quiet life with her daughter's family on a farm in the suburbs of Ekero, an island near Stockholm.

Agnetha Faltskog then and now, at age 67.

2. Bjorn Ulvaeus

Bjorn wrote songs for ABBA along with his close friend Benny Andersson. 1969 was a fateful year when Bjorn met and fell in love with Agnetha at the Eurovision Song Contest, while his friend Benny met singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and the four of them later formed a hugely successful band.

After the band broke up, Bjorn continued to collaborate with Benny Andersson and created popular musicals such asChess,Kristina Fran Duvemalaand especiallyMamma Mia!

Bjorn Ulvaeus during the ABBA era and today.

In 1981, just a few months after finalizing his divorce from Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn married music columnist Lena Källersjö. They had two daughters, Emma in 1982 and Anna in 1986. The couple moved to England from 1984 to 1990 when Bjorn Ulvaeus founded an IT company with his brother. Currently, the Bjorn family lives in Stockholm, Sweden.

3. Benny Andersson

Benny with his ex-wife, ABBA member Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

Benny, the male member of ABBA, was passionate about songwriting and performing since his teenage years. In 1966, Benny met Bjorn and began collaborating on songs, later composing timeless hits for ABBA. Along with Bjorn and Agnetha, Benny had a beautiful relationship with singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad. After several years of engagement, they married in 1978. However, the marriage lasted only a little over two years. Benny and his wife separated in 1980 and officially divorced in 1981 (a year after Bjorn and Agnetha's breakup).

Also in 1981, Benny married television editor Mona Nörklit. They had a son born in 1982, and their marriage remains happy to this day. Benny struggled with alcoholism for decades. He publicly addressed his addiction in a 2011 interview, revealing that he had been successfully sober for almost 10 years.

Benny Andersson during the ABBA era and now.

After ABBA, the friendship and chemistry between Benny and Bjorn continued to help them create valuable musical works, especially musicals. Benny also joined another band called Benny Anderssons Orkester from 2001 to the present. The 71-year-old singer is also the author of many songs and film scores, winning numerous music awards in Sweden.

4. Anni-Frid Lyngstad

In ABBA, female member Anni-Frid Lyngstad left her mark with her deep, soulful voice, brown hair, and beautiful face. Before joining the group, she had gone through a failed marriage and had two children. A fateful meeting with Benny at Eurovision 1969 revived Anni-Frid Lyngstad's heart and opened up a brilliant musical path for her.

Anni-Frid Lyngstad was charming in her youth.

Time of recording the songHappy New YearAnni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny were together for 10 years and married for 2 years. Just a few months later, they separated. She left Sweden to live in London and pursue a solo career.

In 1986, she moved to Switzerland to settle with her boyfriend, Prince Heinrich Ruzzo Reuss, Duke of Plauen. After marrying him in 1992, the singer became the Duchess of Plauen. Anni-Frid Lyngstad enjoyed a happy and fulfilling life until 1999, when Prince Heinrich died of lymphoma. A few months earlier, she had also suffered the tragedy of losing her daughter at the age of 30 in a car accident.

Anni-Frid Lyngstad, now 73 years old, is a social activist and charity founder. The singer stopped performing 20 years ago after releasing her last album in 1998. She currently lives with her British boyfriend in Switzerland.

Anni-Frid Lyngstad (in white) and the ABBA members in their later years.

In 2004, Anni-Frid Lyngstad had a special reunion with her ex-husband Benny Andersson and the other two members of ABBA at the Eurovision Song Contest to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their victory. Then, in February 2016, ABBA reunited again at a party in Stockholm, Sweden. The four members, now with graying hair, reminisced about their good times by singing a few lines from their timeless songs.