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

A Flock Safety camera on the corner of 64th Avenue West and 196th Street Southwest on Oct. 28, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett seeks SnoCo judgment that Flock footage is not public record

The filing comes after a Skagit County judge ruled Flock footage is subject to records requests. That ruling is under appeal.

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.

Lynnwood City Council members gather for a meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood raises property, utility taxes amid budget shortfall

The council approved a 24% property tax increase, lower than the 53% it was allowed to enact without voter approval.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood hygiene center requires community support to remain open

The Jean Kim Foundation needs to raise $500,000 by the end of the year. The center provides showers to people experiencing homelessness.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Vending machines offer hope in Snohomish County in time for the holidays.

Mariners’ radio announcer Rick Rizzs will help launch a Light The World Giving Machine Tuesday in Lynnwood. A second will be available in Arlington on Dec. 13.

UW student from Mukilteo receives Rhodes Scholarship

Shubham Bansal, who grew up in Mukilteo, is the first UW student to receive the prestigous scholarship since 2012.

Roger Sharp looks over memorabilia from the USS Belknap in his home in Marysville on Nov. 14, 2025. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
‘A gigantic inferno’: 50 years later, Marysville vet recalls warship collision

The USS Belknap ran into the USS John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1975. The ensuing events were unforgettable.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County man files suit against SIG SAUER over alleged defect in P320

The lawsuit filed Monday alleges the design of one of the handguns from the manufacturer has led to a “slew of unintended discharges” across the country.

The Everett City Council on Oct. 22, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett approves $613 million budget for 2026

No employees will be laid off. The city will pause some pension contributions and spend one-time funds to prevent a $7.9 million deficit.

Driver rescued after truck crashes into tree and bursts into flames

The truck was traveling south on Highway 9 early Wednesday morning in Snohomish.

Robert Blessing is escorted into the courtroom at the Snohomish County Courthouse in handcuffs for his sentencing hearing for three counts of felony sex crimes on Dec. 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Arlington horse ranch owner sentenced to over 15 years in prison

On Oct. 23, Robert Blessing, 38, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony child sex crimes, one for each victim who came forward in 2023.

Ian Meyer listens to speakers during a World AIDS Day event at the AIDS Memorial on the Snohomish County Campus on Dec. 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County walks for World AIDS Day

Holding candles, officials and residents traveled from the health department to the newly made AIDS memorial.

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.