Ominous Facts About Inger Stevens, Hollywood’s Star-Crossed Starlet

Inger Stevens was a Golden Globe-winning actress with a closet full of skeletons. Haunted by her demons, she would never be able to escape the shadow of death.


1. Her Life Was Full Of Ominous Events

Inger Stevens was the Swedish-born American actress famous for her starring role in the light-hearted TV series,The Farmer’s Daughter. Her personal life, however, was anything but comedic.Full of dark secrets, ill-fated romances, and a lifelong flirtation with the Grim Reaper, Stevens was Hollywood’s star-crossed starlet.

Inger Stevens (1934-1970), Swedish actress, smiling at the camera

Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images

2. She Had A Nightmarish Childhood

Stevens’ life began a long way from the glare and glamor of Hollywood spotlights. She was the eldest of three children born to Per and Lisbet Stensland in October 1934, in Stockholm, Sweden. But if you were picturing quiet fjords and heavy-knit sweaters, think again. Her childhood quickly turned into the stuff of nightmares.

Photo of Inger Stevens in black dress

MGM, Wikimedia Commons

3. Her Mother Abandoned Her

When she was just six years old, Stevens’ mother did the unthinkable. For reasons that we may never know, she abandoned the family but took Stevens’ youngest brother, Peter, with her.

Shortly after that, Stevens’ father left for the United States, leaving her and her other brother, Ola, in the care of their family maid.

Even that didn’t last.

Inger Stevens  as Rachel Warren in Hang 'Em High (1968)

United Artists, Hang 'Em High (1968)

4. She Couldn’t Find A Place To Call Home

With both of her parents effectively MIA, Stevens and her younger brother, Ola, had to rely on their extended family.

The young quasi-orphans eventually ended up at their aunt and uncle’s house on the small island of Lidingö, just outside of Stockholm. Fortunately, unlike her mother, Stevens’ father hadn’t totally abandoned the family.

Telephone villa, Lidingö

Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons