ABBA star Bjorn Ulvaeus has declared “money doesn’t matter” to him but he’s glad his millions have given him the “freedom” not to worry about paying his bills.
Multimillionaire Bjorn Ulvaeus is adamant “money doesn’t matter” to him.
The ABBA star – who is rumoured to be worth an estimated £250 million – has insisted he’s not concerned about being wealthy but the money he’s made from his hit tracks has given him “freedom” because he no longer has to worry about paying his bills.
He told The Times newspaper: “Past a certain point, it [money] doesn’t matter… First of all, it’s freedom from the worries most people have – jobs, bills, the rent. That is so great.
“I can remember the moment I first felt: ‘I don’t have to worry about that any more.’ After that, it’s wonderful if you find a project that really needs financing.”
He went on to reveal his healthy bank account has given him the ability to bring to life projects such as his ABBA stage show ‘Mamma Mia!’ and the band’s ABBA Voyage digital concerts.
Bjorn said: “To be able to dream and let an idea develop and then actually do it – that’s what money is for.
“Like ‘Mamma Mia!’ or Voyage. But these projects are not just to make money – it’s to do something worthwhile and fun.”
He insisted he doesn’t want to “wallow in luxury” and prefers to use his money to invest in useful projects, adding: “I don’t want to become a nouveau riche like many of the English artists. They wallow in luxury; they don’t know what to do with their money.”
The cost of producing ABBA Voyage soared to £135 million before the virtual concerts kicked off in a purpose-built venue in London in 2022 and it’s now believed to be bringing in a massive £1.5 million per week.
The show was recently extended to run until 2026.
In the interview with The Times, Bjorn admitted the show could run for a long time, but he’s not sure whether it could continue if one of the band members passed away.
He added: “That remains to be seen. We are allowed to stay in our current venue till 2029, but ticket sales might drop, you never know. But is it right to continue when someone is dead? That’s a big ethical question.”
ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus insists ‘money doesn’t matter’
