Marie Fredriksson.

Gun Marie Fredriksson

Born 30 May 1958 Östra Ljungby, Sweden

Died 9 Dec 2019 Djursholm, Sweden

Citizenship Sweden

Would Be 68 yr If Living

8 min read

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Sep 24, 2026

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Awards

TL;DR

Marie Fredriksson, one half of the Swedish pop duo Roxette, was born on 30 May 1958 in Östra Ljungby, Sweden. She achieved global fame with hits like The Look 1989 and It Must Have Been Love 1990, each reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. After surviving a brain tumor diagnosis in 2002, she continued to perform and record until her health declined, leading to her death on 9 December 2019 at age 61.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Marie Fredriksson — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Gun Marie Fredriksson

Aliases Mari Fredriksson, Roxette

Parents: Inez Dagmar Fredriksson Charles Gösta Fredriksson
Spouses: Mikael Bolyos
Siblings: Anna Lisa Fredriksson

At a glance.

STATS

Marie Fredriksson by the numbers — life, work, and family.

61 Years lived

3 Awards

1 Marriage

Who was Marie Fredriksson?

BIOGRAPHY

Marie Fredriksson — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

The youngest of five siblings, Marie Fredriksson was born on 30 May 1958 in Östra Ljungby, Sweden, to Inez Dagmar and Charles Gösta Fredriksson. Her siblings included Anna Lisa Fredriksson. She grew up in a small town in Skåne län, where music became a central part of her life.

Career

Marie Fredriksson’s breakthrough came as half of the Swedish duo Roxette, whose 1989 single The Look reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The duo followed with three more US number-one singles: Listen to Your Heart 1989, It Must Have Been Love 1990, and Joyride 1991. Fredriksson also appeared in films such as Super Mario Bros. 1993 and Arn: The Knight Templar 2007. In 2002, she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor; after surgery and treatment, she survived, but the tumor’s effects led to her death in 2019.

Personal life

Fredriksson married Mikael Bolyos on 21 May 1994. The couple had two children: daughter Inez Josefin Bolyos born 29 April 1993 and son Oscar Mikael Bolyos born 26 November 1996. In September 2002, she collapsed after jogging and was diagnosed with a brain tumor at Karolinska Hospital. The tumor and its treatment left her with lasting effects including blindness in one eye, limited hearing, and reduced mobility.

Legacy

As half of Roxette, Fredriksson scored four US number-one singles and a string of international hits. Her vocals appear on the duo’s 30th anniversary album Good Karma 2016. In 2003, she and Per Gessle received the King’s Medal from King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden. Her legacy includes her powerful voice and resilience, particularly her 17-year battle with a brain tumor.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 3

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Marie Fredriksson — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

H. M. The King's Medal
Litteris et Artibus
Rockbjörnen

Did you know?

FACTS · 9

Little-known facts about Marie Fredriksson — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

On September 11, 2002, Fredriksson collapsed after jogging with her husband Mikael Bolyos and had an epileptic seizure. Scans revealed a malignant brain tumor in the back of her head. After recovering from a fractured cranium and concussion, she underwent successful surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Lasting effects include blindness in one eye, limited hearing and mobility, and inability to read or write for a period.
After collapsing at home in September 2002, she was admitted to Karolinska Hospital where doctors discovered a brain tumor. She had it surgically removed and underwent radiation therapy.
Has four number-one pop singles with Roxette: Listen to Your Heart 1989, The Look 1989, It Must Have Been Love 1990, and Joyride 1991.
Had two children with husband Mikael Bolyos: daughter Inez Josefin Bolyos born April 29, 1993 and son Oscar Mikael Bolyos born November 26, 1996.
One half of the Swedish duo Roxette.
Chosen Swedish Artist of the Year in 2000.
Popular Swedish singer.
Together with Roxette partner Per Gessle, she was awarded the King’s Medal of the Eighth Size, received from Carl Gustaf XVI, King of Sweden 2003.
Is the youngest of five siblings.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 35

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Marie Fredriksson.

When was Marie Fredriksson born?

Marie Fredriksson was born on 30 May 1958 in Östra Ljungby, Sweden. She was the youngest of five children and grew up in a family with a strong musical background.
Where was Marie Fredriksson born?

Marie Fredriksson was born in Östra Ljungby, a small locality in Skåne län, Sweden. This region is located in the southern part of the country.
When did Marie Fredriksson die?

Marie Fredriksson died on 9 December 2019 at the age of 61. She passed away in Djursholm, Sweden after a long battle with a brain tumor.
How old was Marie Fredriksson when she died?

Marie Fredriksson was 61 years old when she died on December 9, 2019. She was born on May 30, 1958.
Where did Marie Fredriksson die?

Marie Fredriksson died in Djursholm, Sweden. This is a residential area in the Danderyd Municipality, near Stockholm.
What caused Marie Fredriksson's death?

Marie Fredriksson died from a brain tumor that was first diagnosed in 2002. Despite successful surgery and years of treatment, the cancer eventually led to her death in 2019.
What was Marie Fredriksson's birth name?

Marie Fredriksson’s full birth name was Gun Marie Fredriksson. She was professionally known as Marie Fredriksson.
What is Marie Fredriksson's nationality?

Marie Fredriksson was Swedish. She was born in Sweden and held Swedish citizenship throughout her life.
Who were Marie Fredriksson's parents?

Marie Fredriksson’s parents were Inez Dagmar Fredriksson and Charles Gösta Fredriksson. She was the youngest of five siblings.
Who was Marie Fredriksson married to?

Marie Fredriksson was married to Mikael Bolyos. They wed on May 21, 1994, and remained married until her death in 2019.
Did Marie Fredriksson have any siblings?

Yes, Marie Fredriksson had siblings, including a sister named Anna Lisa Fredriksson. She was the youngest of five children in her family.
What awards did Marie Fredriksson win?

Marie Fredriksson received several awards, including the H. M. The King’s Medal, Litteris et Artibus, and the Swedish music prize Rockbjörnen. She was also named Swedish Artist of the Year in 2000.
How many awards did Marie Fredriksson win?

Marie Fredriksson won at least three major awards: the King’s Medal, Litteris et Artibus, and Rockbjörnen. She also received special honors like the Swedish Artist of the Year award.
What is Marie Fredriksson known for?

Marie Fredriksson is best known as one half of the Swedish pop duo Roxette. She also appeared in films such as Super Mario Bros. 1993 and Arn: The Knight Templar 2007.
What is Marie Fredriksson's Instagram handle?

Marie Fredriksson’s Instagram handle is @RealRoxette. The account shares updates and content related to her music career.
How tall was Marie Fredriksson?

Marie Fredriksson was 5 feet 6 inches 1.67 meters tall. This is considered average height for a woman.
Why was Marie Fredriksson also known as Roxette?

Marie Fredriksson was known as Roxette because that was the name of the pop duo she formed with Per Gessle. The alias was used for performances and releases.
What was Marie Fredriksson's occupation?

Marie Fredriksson worked as a singer, composer, and actress. She was primarily known for her music with Roxette.
How did Marie Fredriksson discover her brain tumor?

In September 2002, Fredriksson collapsed after jogging and had an epileptic seizure. Scans at Karolinska Hospital revealed a malignant brain tumor in the back of her head, which was later surgically removed.
What lasting effects did Marie Fredriksson have from her brain tumor?

The brain tumor and treatment left Fredriksson with lasting effects including blindness in one eye, limited hearing, reduced mobility, and difficulty reading or writing for a period after treatment.
What was Marie Fredriksson's biggest hit with Roxette?

Roxette had four US number-one singles, including It Must Have Been Love 1990, The Look 1989, Listen to Your Heart 1989, and Joyride 1991. The most recognizable is likely It Must Have Been Love from the film Pretty Woman.
How many children did Marie Fredriksson have?

Marie Fredriksson had two children with her husband Mikael Bolyos: daughter Inez Josefin Bolyos born April 29, 1993 and son Oscar Mikael Bolyos born November 26, 1996.
Who was Marie Fredriksson's Roxette partner?

Marie Fredriksson’s Roxette partner was Per Gessle. Together they formed the duo in the late 1980s and achieved international success.
Did Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle receive any royal honors?

Yes, in 2003, Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle were awarded the King’s Medal of the Eighth Size from King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden for their contributions to music.
What was Marie Fredriksson's last album with Roxette?

Marie Fredriksson’s last album with Roxette was Good Karma, released in June 2016. The album was promoted with a European tour that was later canceled due to her health.
Why did Roxette cancel their 30th anniversary tour?

Roxette’s 30th anniversary tour was canceled because Marie Fredriksson’s doctors advised her to cease all touring activity due to poor health from her brain tumor.
What films did Marie Fredriksson appear in?

Marie Fredriksson appeared in films such as Super Mario Bros. 1993, Arn: The Knight Templar 2007, and the documentary Marie Fredriksson: Sista sommarens vals 2013.
When did Marie Fredriksson marry Mikael Bolyos?

Marie Fredriksson married Mikael Bolyos on May 21, 1994. They had two children together and were married until her death.
What are the names of Marie Fredriksson's children?

Marie Fredriksson’s children are Inez Josefin Bolyos born 1993 and Oscar Mikael Bolyos born 1996.
How many siblings did Marie Fredriksson have?

Marie Fredriksson was the youngest of five siblings. One of her siblings is named Anna Lisa Fredriksson.
What year did Marie Fredriksson form Roxette?

The exact formation year of Roxette is not specified in our records, but the duo achieved their first US number-one single The Look in 1989, suggesting they formed in the late 1980s.
What was Marie Fredriksson's role in Roxette?

In Roxette, Marie Fredriksson was the lead vocalist. She sang many of the duo’s biggest hits alongside Per Gessle.
Did Marie Fredriksson have any other aliases?

Yes, Marie Fredriksson was also known under the alias Mari Fredriksson in some contexts.
Where did Marie Fredriksson receive treatment for her brain tumor?

She was treated at Karolinska Hospital in Sweden, where doctors discovered and surgically removed the tumor.
What was Marie Fredriksson's first TV appearance?

One of her first TV appearances was on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1962 as part of Roxette.

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Published on September 24, 2026

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