Ingrid Bergman First Husband: Meet Petter Lindström

Ingrid Bergman, the iconic Swedish actress renowned for her illustrious career spanning five decades, had a personal life marked by relationships, challenges, and pivotal moments. Her first marriage to Petter Aron Lindström played a significant role in shaping her early adult years.

The union between Ingrid Bergman and Petter Lindström commenced on July 10, 1937, when Bergman was 21 years old. The ceremony took place in Stöde. Lindström, initially a dentist, later pursued a career as a neurosurgeon. The couple’s union was blessed with the birth of their daughter, Friedel Pia Lindström, born on September 20, 1938.

As Bergman’s career soared, she and Lindström, now established in their respective professional fields, took steps toward American citizenship. On August 27, 1945, just two days before Bergman’s 30th birthday, both partners filed Declaration of Intention forms with the United States District Court, Southern District of California, reflecting their aspirations to become U.S. citizens.

Despite the apparent stability of their marriage, it was not without its complexities. Lindström was aware of Bergman’s affairs, and when questioned about why he didn’t seek a divorce, he candidly remarked, “I lived with that because of her income.” This acknowledgment hinted at the financial ties that may have bound the couple despite personal challenges.

In the aftermath of the scandal surrounding Bergman’s affair with Italian director Roberto Rossellini during the filming of “Stromboli” in 1950, Bergman sought a divorce and access to their daughter, Pia. Lindström, however, refused to grant her request. The tumultuous circumstances surrounding Bergman’s personal life intensified, prompting her return to Europe after the release of “Stromboli.”

In the same month as the film’s release, Bergman gave birth to a son, Renato Roberto Ranaldo Giusto Giuseppe (“Robin”) Rossellini, on February 2, 1950. A week after the birth, Bergman initiated divorce proceedings against Lindström in accordance with Mexican law, marking the end of their marriage.