Film director Bergman tells family secret

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – In a book to be published Monday, iconoclastic filmmaker Ingmar Bergman reveals a secret daughter he fathered 45 years ago, his publisher said.

Bergman, 86, who is widely considered one of cinema’s greatest directors, writes that he is the father of Maria von Rosen, whose mother Ingrid von Rosen married Bergman 12 years after the girl was born, Susanne Nystroem, a spokeswoman for Norstedt publishing house in Stockholm, said Friday.

Ingrid von Rosen was Bergman’s fifth and last wife, and Maria is the only child Bergman had with her. He had eight other children with his other wives and with actress Liv Ullmann, with whom he had a longtime affair.

The book – titled “Tre dagboecker,” or “Three Diaries” – consists of diary entries written by Bergman and Maria and Ingrid von Rosen around the time of Ingrid’s death from cancer in 1995 after a 24-year marriage to Bergman.

In the foreword, Bergman writes that he met Ingrid von Rosen in 1957 and had an on-and-off affair with her until 1969, according to excerpts published in Swedish newspapers.

During that period, Bergman went through two marriages, with Gun Grut and Kabi Laretei, and fathered a child with Ullmann.

Maria von Rosen was born in 1959, the same year Bergman divorced Grut and married Laretei. Bergman did not tell Maria he was her father until she was 22, he writes. Bergman wed Ingrid von Rosen in 1971, and she had a small role in his 1972 film “Cries and Whispers,” which starred Ullmann.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Floodwater from the Snohomish River partially covers a flood water sign along Lincoln Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Images from the flooding in Snohomish County.

Our photographers have spent this week documenting the flooding in… Continue reading

A rendering of possible configuration for a new multi-purpose stadium in downtown Everett. (DLR Group)
Everett council resolution lays out priorities for proposed stadium

The resolution directs city staff to, among other things, protect the rights of future workers if they push for unionization.

LifeWise Bibles available for students in their classroom set up at New Hope Assembly on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents back Everett district after LifeWise lawsuit threat

Dozens gathered at a board meeting Tuesday to voice their concerns over the Bible education program that pulls students out of public school during the day.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin delivers her budget address during a city council meeting on Oct. 22, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mayor talks priorities for third term in office

Cassie Franklin will focus largely on public safety, housing and human services, and community engagement over the next four years, she told The Daily Herald in an interview.

A view of downtown Everett facing north on Oct. 14, 2025. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett expands Downtown Improvement District

The district, which collects rates to provide services for downtown businesses, will now include more properties along Pacific and Everett Avenues.

Darryl Dyck file photo
Mohammed Asif, an Indian national, conspired with others to bill Medicare for COVID-19 and other respiratory tests that hadn’t been ordered or performed, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.
Man sentenced to 2 years in prison for $1 million health care fraud scheme

Mohammed Asif, 35, owned an Everett-based testing laboratory and billed Medicare for COVID-19 tests that patients never received.

Snohomish County Fire District No. 4 and Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision on U.S. 2 on Feb. 21, 2024, in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Fire District #4)
Family of Monroe woman killed in U.S. 2 crash sues WSDOT for $50 million

The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Snohomish County Superior Court on Nov. 24 alleges the agency’s negligence led to Tu Lam’s death.

Judy Tuohy, the executive director of the Schack Art Center, in 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Director of Everett’s Schack Art Center announces retirement

Judy Tuohy, also a city council member, will step down from the executive director role next year after 32 years in the position.

Human trafficking probe nets arrest of Calif. man, rescue of 17-year-old girl

The investigation by multiple agencies culminated with the arrest of a California man in Snohomish County.

Stanwood man allegedly stole a WSP vehicle to get home for Christmas

The 24-year-old is facing robbery and eluding charges in connection with the Christmas day incident.

Information panels on display as a part of the national exhibit being showcased at Edmonds College on Nov. 19, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds College hosts new climate change and community resilience exhibit

Through Jan. 21, visit the school library in Lynnwood to learn about how climate change is affecting weather patterns and landscapes and how communities are adapting.

Back to rain and snow in Snohomish County in time for the new year

The last few days of blue skies will give way to rain in the lowlands, with 5-8 inches of snow also expected in the Cascades

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.