In 1964 Elvis was already a legend—and 23-year-old Ann-Margret was well on her way to becoming one. In a career spanning more than six decades, she has evolved from a '60s sex symbol to a Hollywood grand dame.
Correspondent Tracy Smith asked, "How do you think you're going to be able to work consistently for more than five decades?"
"I think I have a lot of energy," replied Ann-Margret.
Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley in "Viva Las Vegas":
Looks like she always did: A Sweden native, Ann-Margret's first break came in 1960, when legendary comedian George Burns hired her for his Vegas act. But soon she was moving towards Hollywood.
Still, she knew show biz was a tough game, so to protect her family from unwanted publicity, she dropped her last name (Olson) and just became Ann-Margaret.
"I really wanted to protect them from any bad news about me, whatever bad was said," she said. "And I think I did a lot. I feel the same way. Maybe not. But I tried."
Turns out he had a lot to be proud of. In 1961, he was nominated for a Grammy as Best New Artist for his album, "And Here She Is... N-Margret".
And she emerged as a top box office star with 1963's "Bye Bye Birdie":
She was immortalized as "Ann-Margrock" in the primetime hit animated show, "The Flintstones" that same year. And the hits just kept on coming.
Smith asked, "You're finished with 'Bye Bye Birdie,' and they tell you, 'Okay, we want you to do 'Viva Las Vegas.' And your costar is going to be...? "
"EP."
"EP, Elvis."
"And I had never met him."
"Do you remember that first meeting?"
"Oh yeah," said Ann-Margaret. "It was a little weird - 'Hi!' - But it was great."
She even made spark offscreen, but that's still something she'll only talk about at one point.
"What is your fondest memory, would you say?" asked Smith.
"Oh, my gosh. Oh. Oh, I don't want to get into, 'Cause it's so personal. It's so personal."
"Does it make you sad? Or just..."
"I don't like to share.' Because he was in the middle, he was between her and me.
At the end of "Viva Las Vegas", Ann-Margaret marries Elvis. In real life, she married actor Roger Smith in 1967. The marriage lasted 50 years, until his death in 2017.
And here's something else that's close to Ann-Margret's heart: She made several trips to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War to help keep morale up in her unique way, both on land and at sea.
Smith asked, "What was it like going to Vietnam and performing for the soldiers?"
"Ooohhhhh!" Ann-Margaret replied. "I was there in 1966 and 1968. Boy, you talk about my heartbeat. Woo! Ow!"
But back home, she was tired of being typecast as the singing sex kitten, and wanted to prove that she could hold her own in a dramatic role. She got her chance in 1971, when director Mike Nichols cast her in 'Carnal Knowledge' alongside Jack Nicholson as her tragic boyfriend.
"How did 'erotic knowledge' change how people saw you?"
"Oh my god, they thought I could act!"
And Academy voters thought the same way: She earned her first Oscar for a movie her own parents couldn't bear to see.
Ann-Margret said, "Dad never saw it. He knew what it was about. And he didn't want to see it because of obvious things. And I got it. Of course, I got it."
"But how was it for you to have people say, 'Oh, she's a serious actress'?"
"Oh, I was thrilled. I had never planned anything like this."
In a career spanning 60 years, there are few things that haven't changed, like his love for motorcycles.
What about motorcycles? "Speed," she laughed. "The wind outside, and the rain, and whatever else is outside. It's just exciting."
This purple Harley is her latest. She says she still rides on occasion... and she's seeing someone.
"And how do you find that love?" asked Smith.
"It's a good feeling. He's no stranger, no."
Ann-Margret still makes the rounds at various Hollywood festivals, and she has a new film set for release later this year.
This woman, who became famous by singing 'Goodbye', is not ready to bid farewell yet.
Smith asked, "Does it feel a little too real as you tell the story now?"
"Oh yes. My whole life," said Ann-Margaret. "How could that be? I am very grateful for everything. And I'm so grateful that I have another day. Yes."