In keeping with many requests from fans there will be reports on this page about any news relating to Agnetha. I consider most of the sources to be in the best of terms Tabloids. I have considered reporting these stories and have concluded in fairness to the fans I would cover any breaking news.
15 March The Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, reports that Agnetha is considering a solo comeback. After interviewing Staffan Lindé, it is revealed that Agnetha is listening to several songs and there could be a comeback of a solo career.
16 March Swedish newspapers reveal that Görel Hanser mentions the possibility of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson writing songs for Agnetha's comeback. Both Björn and Benny are floored by the revelation that Agnetha is considering a comeback..
6 April Agnetha reports a stalker to Swedish police. The story is covered in Swedish papers.
8 April Agnetha celebrated her 50th birthday at a private party held at, Pica Pica, a restaurant in Stockholm. The party was attended by Björn, and Benny who brought along instruments to accompany Agnetha's and Björn's son Christian and daughter Linda in a celebratory song. ABBA guitarist Janne Schaffer also attended the party. Actor Gunnar Hellström who starred with Agnetha in the movie Raskenstam was also present for the celebration.
September Swedish magazine Hänt Extra, reports that Linda Ulvaeus is 4 months pregnant, expecting her first child with fiancé Jens Ekengren. Congrats Agnetha!
13 September Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, reports Gert van der Graaf the man accused of stalking Agnetha will return to his home in Holland. His house on the island of Ekerö has been repossessed by the bank. The trial will be held at the beginning of October. The 34 year old is accused of gross/grave infringement/violation of peace and was imposed with a restraining order to leave Ms. Fältskog in peace. Watch this space for any further details about the upcoming trial.
11 October 2000
Swedish newspapers have reported the following from the trial. The first article is from Expressen: Fältskog in court: "I feel insulted" The reserved ABBA-star entered the back way of the district court. Today Agnetha Fältskog came to Solna district court for questioning in the trial against the man suspected of stalking and threatening her. - -Finally I felt that it can't go on like this, now I feel very insulted and oppressed, Agnetha Fältskog said this morning. The trial in Solna district court began with a questioning of the 34-year old about a fraud where he had changed the numbers on a check, a crime he admitted to right away. Agnetha Fältskog arrived at Solna district court a few minutes before 10 AM, wearing a green sweater and black pants. She looked like she was under a lot of pressure. To avoid the media waiting for her, she went in the back way. At 10:30 AM the court deliberated if they would accept the ABBA-star's demands. Didn't have to meet him Before being questioned she demanded that the 34-year old who had stalked her should sit in another room next to the court room, anything to avoid meeting him again. The 34-year old is charged with gross violation of privacy and Agnetha Fältskog has during interrogations talked about her fear of the man and how she during several months had her privacy violated when the man stalked her. She also asked to be questioned without an audience in the court room. The district court granted the ABBA-star's wish when it came to the person addressed who during the questioning was moved to another room. But the audience was allowed to stay. The prosecutor talked about how the 34-year old during his younger years became fixated with Agnetha Fältskog and ABBA. A few years ago he moved from Holland to Sweden and bought a house on Ekerö where Agnetha Fältskog lives, anything to try to get close to his idol. - -It was a very intense courtship by him. It continued for two years. "Fear for my life" - -I have during this time tried to get to know him and help him, but it didn't work. The man has mailed 80-something letters to Fältskog and called her cellular telephone and home phone both day and night. - -My life has become very restricted, I don't dare to be outdoors, I'm afraid of meeting the man by myself and I've feared for my own and my children's lives, Agnetha Fältskog says during interrogations. The 34-year old denied the crime this morning. The prosecutor demanded that the man, if convicted, should be deported from Sweden. The prosecuted 34-year old can't understand Agnetha Fältskog's fear and he's disappointed that she doesn't want to meet him in the court room. - -I feel sad. I love that woman, he says. Translated from the original Swedish written by Tina Frennstedt
"Gives the impression he's scared" Andreas Harne, Aftonbladet's court reporter, reports: - -The 34-year old gives an impression that he's a bit scared. He's doesn't say much and he's low-voiced when he speaks and he seems to be sorrowful when he's sitting there leaning forward with his hands together. The man began talking about how he moved to Ekerö outside Stockholm to be close to Agnetha Fältskog. At first he worked with selling flowers, then he had some financial difficulties and he had problems paying off the loan on his house with the salary he was paid. - -Then he forged a check from his employer and that way tried to fool the bank of 10 000 kronor (SEK), Andreas Harne says. And adds: - -Something he admitted to in court this morning. He doesn't understand her fear Agnetha Fältskog's neighbor Kurt Torpling has been called as a witness, but her daughter Linda Ulvaeus won't be present at the trial. The prosecuted 34-year old, who's from Holland, has described their relation as a Romeo and Juliet-relationship. He can't at all understand Agnetha Fältskog's fear and why she doesn't want to meet him in the court room. Translated from the Swedish original written by Claes SalomonssonI also found an article on Aftonbladet's website which was published before Agnetha had testified. I'm only translating the parts of the article that reports new information, in this case focusing on the questioning of the 34-year old.
12 October 2000
Expressen: Agnetha Fältskog in court about her relationship with the stalker
Agnetha Fältskog was pressured when she walked into the courtroom. During the questioning she talked about the two year long relationship she had had with the man who stalked her. - -He has never accepted that we broke up, finally I felt this couldn't go on any longer, I feel very insulted by him, she says. The ABBA-star came to Solna district court yesterday. She demanded to not have to see the prosecuted man in the courtroom, the 34-year old who she had a relationship with between 1997 and 1999. The man is suspected of gross violation of privacy and during the questioning of Agnetha Fältskog he sat in an adjacent room and listened. Moved to Sweden The 34-year old has ever since his childhood been fixated with ABBA and Agnetha Fältskog. He became interested in everything that had to do with Sweden. The man often traveled here and walked around in the area where she lived - anything to get closer to his idol. - -I went to Sweden 32 times, the 25th time I got in contact with her, he says. A few years ago he moved to Sweden and bought a weekend cottage on Ekerö. just a few hundred meters away from Agnetha Fältskog's estate. Started having a relationship In the end of 1997 they started a relationship which, except for short interruptions, lasted up until September last year. - -It was a very intense courtship from his side, finally I felt I couldn't resist anymore, I wanted to get to know him. We started to have a relationship, even though I knew he was an odd person. - -Sometimes things were good, we never lived together, but saw and called each other often. But finally I felt more and more pressured and understood that this won't work any longer, we had tried so many times, Agnetha Fältskog says. Has gotten used to it She was sad when the relationship didn't work anymore. - -I have during this time tried to get to know him and help him, I thought he was mentally unstable. I have broken up with him three times. - -Both of us were very sad after the final breakup. She talked about how she during the years have gotten used to being a celebrity, she's used to fans who wants to talk and ask questions. But when the relationship ended, the man began to stalk her. After the separation last fall he wrote 80-something letters, some of them she considered threatening, he called her day and night, followed her when she went driving. - -My privacy has been violated for over a year. He has watched me everywhere, he has stood and waited for me on the road leading up to my house, rummaged through my mailbox. - -On Christmas Eve he almost scared me to death when he suddenly appeared outside a window. I haven't been able to move around freely. It's been within me all of the time, I look over my shoulder, I never drive my car or walk by myself anymore, she says. Wanted to get her back Agnetha Fältskog ended the questioning by reading a few lines she had written down: "I'm not happy with this sad story, and I won't be happy that someone ends up in jail. But I want some help to end this, I want my freedom back and live a normal life again". The 34-year old, who's facing time in jail, admitted to the letters and the phone calls but denied committing a crime and he can't understand her fear. - -I'm not a violent person and I have never wanted to cause her any harm, I just wanted to try to get her back. But now I'll have to accept that she wants to be left alone. The man runs the risk of going to jail and deportation from Sweden. The verdict is expected in two weeks. Translated from original Swedish written by Tina Frennstedt
Special thanks to Claes Davidsson for his translations.
13 October 2000 Stockholm's Auction House has a few desirable items that any Agnetha admirer would love to own. Follow this link to view the items. Your bid can be taken online. Auction is scheduled for 16 October 2000.
26 October 2000 verdict handed down This story appeared in Expressen
Abba-Agnetha's Stalker Expelled From Sweden
Agnetha Fältskog is free of her ex-boyfriend and stalker.
The 34 year old Dutchman was sentenced to a conditional and suspended sentence and is now banished from Sweden for two years. For two years ABBA-star Agnetha Fältskog had a relationship with the man who is now expelled from Sweden. The Solna district court sentenced the 34 year old to a suspended sentence and fine for a molesting violation, he must not stay in Sweden for two years. The verdict also concerned a case of fraud and forgery of documents against Svenska Handlesbanken.
Large number of violations
The district court is of the opinion that the man has been guilty of a large number of violations and repeated infringements of Agnetha Fältskog's integrity, and that there is,with regard to his behaviour, a risk of continued criminality.
Since they broke up in September of last year Agnetha Fältskog has received among other things 86 letters from the man.
"He has never accepted that we broke up, I feel terribly violated by him,"said Agnetha Fältskog in the hearing.
Moved to Sweden
The man has been fixated by the ABBA star since childhood and moved to Sweden and Ekerö a few years ago in order to get closer to his idol. At the end of 1997 they began a relationship.
"It was an extremely intensive courtship from his side, I could no longer resist, I wanted to get to know him. We began a relationship despite the fact I saw he was an odd person, "says Fältskog.
"He has frightened me out of my wits"
They were both sad when the relationship ended, but when the man stalked her for several months, she decided to report him to the police.
"I have been deprived of my liberty for over a year, he has watched me everywhere, sometimes he has scared the life out of me," she says.
Moving back
The 34 year old can't understand Agnetha Fältskog's fear.
"But I must accept that she wants to be left in peace. I will now move back to Holland," he says.
Yesterday he didn't wish to comment on the judgement and his lawyer Mats Berkert has not decided if they will appeal against it. Translated from original Swedish written by Tina Frennstedt