Anni-Frid Lyngstad

Lyngstad in 2010, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad

Place of Birth: Bjørkåsen, Ballangen, Norway

Date of Birth: 15 November, 1945

Ethnicity:
*father – German
*mother – Norwegian, some Swedish

Anni-Frid Lyngstad, also known as Dowager Princess of Reuss and Dowager Countess of Plauen, is a Norwegian-born Swedish singer, songwriter, and environmentalist. She was a member of the Swedish music group ABBA, along with Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, and Björn Ulvaeus.

Anni-Frid is the daughter of Synni Lyngstad, a Norwegian, and Alfred Haase, a German sergeant in the Wehrmacht. Her parents were matched through the Nazis’ Lebensborn program, pairing German men with Norwegian women. As a result, her mother’s family was ostracized as “traitors,” locally, after WWII.

Anni-Frid has two children with her former husband, musician Ragnar Fredriksson. She was married to Prince Heinrich Ruzzo Reuss of Plauen, until his death.

Anni-Frid’s maternal grandfather was Simon Larsen Lyngstad (the son of Lars Olsen Lyngstad and Ane Martha Sivertsdatter Gautvik). Simon was born in Øvre-Bogen, Lyngstad, Eide, Møre og Romsdal. Lars was the son of Ole Larsen Lyngstad and Maria Eriksdatter Gautvig. Ane was the daughter of Sivert Sivertsen Gautvig/Naas and Canuta Knudsdatter Bollien, later Gautvig.

Anni-Frid’s maternal grandmother was Antine Kornelia Marie Edvardsdatter Rundstrøm (the daughter of Edvard Jenson Rundström, or Rundstrøm in Norwegian, and of Mensine Gunelia Andersdatter Kobhaug). Antine was born in Hemnes, Nordland. Edvard was Swedish. Mensine was the daughter of Anders Johan Christensen Bakkan/Elsfjordøren and Karen Margrete Pedersdatter Valåmoen.

Anni-Frid’s matrilineal ancestry can be traced back to her fourth great-grandmother, Ane Kierstina Torlefsdatter.

Sources: Article about Anni-Frid’s connection to the Lebensborn program – https://www.theguardian.com

Genealogy of Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad (focusing on her mother’s side) – http://www.geni.com