ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus to remain 'close friends' with wife Lena after divorce

Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus and his wife, Lena Kallersjö, have revealed that they plan to stay 'close friends' after announcing their shocking split. 

The former couple, who have been married since 1981, confirmed on Wednesday that they would be seeking divorce "after many fine and eventful years" together. 

In the joint statement, they added that they "remain close" and "will continue to celebrate our grandchildren’s birthdays and other family celebrations together." 

The Swedish music legend, 76, and the retired showbiz journalist, 73, share two adult daughters, Emma Eleonor and Anna Linnea, and have co-habitated in a swanky mansion in Stockholm's exclusive Djursholm district for over three decades. 

According to a prenuptial agreement they both signed in 2013, they will divide their £100 million worth of 'matrimonial property' equally in light of the marriage breakdown. The news of their split comes just a few months after ABBA announced the official release date for their highly-anticipated new album and tour. 

Björn met Lena at a New Year's Party hosted by his ABBA bandmates, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, in 1979. At the time of their introduction, the Grammy nominee had very recently split from his first wife, ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog, after seven years of marriage. 

"I had only been single for a week when I met Lena," he told the Telegraph. "We started living together straight away. I discovered that love comes easier when you have already lived with somebody. When Agnetha and I separated, I knew immediately that I would fall in love again. I knew immediately that I wasn't cut out for a bachelor's life." 

Björn also said that his divorce from Agnetha—which was also the inspiration of ABBA's hit song, The Winner Takes It All—wasn't as smooth as he had expected to be.

"When it got much worse we tried to distance ourselves from the tensions but the situation became intolerable," he said. "Now we have a good understanding in our work and we've remained friends.