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

x
Paraeducator at 2 Edmonds schools arrested on suspicion of child sex abuse

On Monday, Edmonds police arrested the 46-year-old after a student’s parents found inappropriate messages on their daughter’s phone.

South County Fire Chief Bob Eastman answers question from the Edmonds City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
South County Fire chief announces retirement

The Board of Commissioners has named Assistant Chief Shaughn Maxwell to replace Chief Bob Eastman in February.

One dead, four displaced in Lynnwood duplex fire Monday

More than three dozen firefighters responded to the fire. Crews continued to put out hot spots until early Tuesday.

With the warm atmosphere, freshly made food and a big sign, customers should find their way to Kindred Kitchen, part of HopeWorks Station on Broadway in Everett. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Housing Hope to close cafe, furniture store

Kindred Cafe will close on Jan. 30, and Renew Home and Decor will close on March 31, according to the nonprofit.

Everett
Everett Fire Department announces new assistant chief

Following the retirement of Assistant Chief Mike Calvert in the summer, Seth Albright took over the role on an interim basis before being promoted to the position.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Health officials: Three confirmed measles cases in SnoCo over holidays

The visitors, all in the same family from South Carolina, went to multiple locations in Everett, Marysville and Mukilteo from Dec. 27-30.

Dog abandoned in Everett dumpster has new home and new name

Binny, now named Maisey, has a social media account where people can follow along with her adventures.

People try to navigate their cars along a flooded road near US 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Temporary flood assistance center to open in Sultan

Residents affected by December’s historic flooding can access multiple agencies and resources.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Teens accused of brutal attack on Tulalip man Monday

The man’s family says they are in disbelief after two teenagers allegedly assaulted the 63-year-old while he was starting work.

A sign notifying people of the new buffer zone around 41st Street in Everett on Wednesday, Jan. 7. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett adds fifth ‘no sit, no lie’ buffer zone at 41st Street

The city implemented the zone in mid-December, soon after the city council extended a law allowing it to create the zones.

A view of the Eastview development looking south along 79th Avenue where mud and water runoff flowed due to rain on Oct. 16, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Eastview Village critics seek appeal to overturn county’s decision

Petitioners, including two former county employees, are concerned the 144-acre project will cause unexamined consequences for unincorporated Snohomish County.

Snohomish County commuters: Get ready for more I-5 construction

Lanes will be reduced along northbound I-5 in Seattle throughout most of 2026 as WSDOT continues work on needed repairs to an aging bridge.

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.