Could £20million for a single show lure Agnetha Faltskog back to ABBA?
Biggest musical comeback of all time lies in the hands of the mum-of-two
ABBA’S Agnetha Faltskog, once the ultimate Dancing Queen, now leads such a reclusive life she may prevent a multi, multi-million pound reunion with her bandmates.
Fans were thrilled last week when the Swedish pop legends returned to the stage at a private party for their first performance in 30 years.
The foursome have since been inundated with cash offers to secure a reunion, including £20MILLION for a one-off gig.
But it is feared the “girl with the golden hair” is happier at home scoffing muesli than returning to the group that sold more than 375million records before splitting in 1983.
This week, The Sun on Sunday visited the secluded island of Ekero, around eight miles west of Stockholm, where Agnetha lives.
Her closest neighbour told us: “We’ve been here for eight years and I think I have only seen her 15 times.”
The singer’s home is hidden behind huge trees and “No Trespassing” signs adorn the front gates, while the driveway is dotted with CCTV cameras.
Neighbour Helen Rosell, 47, who lives 100 yards from the star’s £2.5million six-bedroom home, told us: “The closest I have got (to her) is talking to her horses.
“I only ever see her driving her small black car very slowly. She is always holding up traffic.”
Staff at Agnetha’s local supermarket say she makes regular visits and always buys the same products.
Gustav Jonsson, 20, said: “She is in here once a week.
“She comes in for bread, milk, toothpaste, floor cleaner, ice cream and muesli.
“We never ask her about ABBA or let on we know she is famous.
“You can tell she feels very uncomfortable with attention.”
When Abbamania was at its height Agnetha and her bandmates, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson and ex-husband Bjorn Ulvaeus, had to be smuggled out of gigs, parties and even airports to escape fans.
But it was Agnetha’s stage fright and a yearning for the quiet life that reportedly led to the band’s break-up.
In the years following the split she withdrew from public life.
Her fear of flying, following an emergency landing in the US, meant she rarely travelled.
It wasn’t until the early Noughties that Agnetha came out of hiding and started recording again.
In a rare interview in 2013 to promote her album, she said: “Maybe I was a recluse for some years. I was so tired after ABBA was over and just wanted to be calm.
“I don’t mind signing autographs as long as there isn’t a long queue forming.”
Now the biggest musical comeback of all time lies in the hands of the mum-of-two.
Her agent Staffan Linde said: “For a long time all Agnetha has wanted is her privacy. Her home and family are her primary concern.”
And friends insist Agnetha, who is estimated to be worth £4million, would need more than just financial motivation to tour with ABBA again.
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Talking about money in 2013, she said: “It helps but I don’t think about it much.”
Music mogul Gorel Hanser, who has worked with the band members for four decades, said: “They’ve said no (to a reunion) for 33 years but now they have had lots of requests, they can choose to do anything.”
And another source, who asked not to be named, told us: “The chances of a reunion are the highest ever.
Silly money, like £20million for one show, has been presented.
“It all hinges on whether Agnetha can be persuaded to come back into the limelight.”