Ingrid Bergman: Her Death, Relationships, and Last Words

Few Hollywood stars have left a legacy as layered as Ingrid Bergman’s. The Swedish actress who stole hearts in Casablanca also faced a private battle with breast cancer, a heavy smoking habit, and enduring questions about her relationships with co-stars Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant. Here’s a clear-eyed look at the facts behind her final years, her health, and the people closest to her.

Born: 29 August 1915 ·
Died: 29 August 1982 (67th birthday) ·
Academy Awards: 3 (plus 2 nominations) ·
Children: 3 daughters ·
Most Famous Film: Casablanca (1942)

Six key facts paint a clear picture of Bergman’s life and final chapter.

What did Ingrid Bergman pass away from?

Ingrid Bergman died of breast cancer on 29 August 1982, her 67th birthday, at her home in London (Los Angeles Times obituary). She had been battling the disease for about eight years, having undergone a mastectomy in 1974 and another in 1978 (Los Angeles Times). An encyclopedia biography confirms she succumbed to cancer on her 67th birthday (Encyclopedia.com biography).

What disease did Ingrid Bergman have?

• Breast cancer, first diagnosed in 1974 (Los Angeles Times obituary).
• Metastasized to her lymph nodes after recurrence in 1982 (Wikipedia).

The implication: Bergman’s cancer journey was long, aggressive, and ultimately terminal. Despite two surgeries, the disease returned with a vengeance.

Did Humphrey Bogart love Ingrid Bergman?

Bogart and Bergman shared a close friendship on and off the set of Casablanca (1942), but there is no evidence of a romantic affair. Bogart was married to Lauren Bacall at the time (Wikipedia). Bergman later described Bogart as “a wonderful actor and a dear friend” but denied any romantic involvement (Encyclopedia.com).

Was Bogart faithful to Bacall?

• Bogart was married to Lauren Bacall from 1945 until his death in 1957; no credible source suggests infidelity with Bergman (Wikipedia).

What did Ingrid Bergman say about Humphrey Bogart?

• In a 1970s interview, Bergman said: “He was a wonderful actor and a dear friend. We never had a romance.” (Encyclopedia.com)

The pattern: On-screen chemistry often gets mistaken for off-screen passion. Bergman and Bogart’s mutual respect is well-documented; a love affair is not.

What were Ingrid Bergman’s last words?

According to some sources, her last words were reportedly “I am going to bed now, good night.” (Encyclopedia.com). She died at her home in London. The exact wording is disputed, and no definitive primary source exists.

The catch: While the “good night” line is poetic, it may be apocryphal. The absence of a reliable source means the true last words of Ingrid Bergman are lost to time.

Was Ingrid Bergman a heavy smoker?

Yes, Ingrid Bergman was a heavy smoker, often smoking multiple packs a day throughout her life (Los Angeles Times obituary). She continued smoking even after her breast cancer diagnosis in 1974. Her smoking habit is cited as a likely contributing factor to her cancer.

For context, her co-star Humphrey Bogart died of esophageal cancer in 1957, also a heavy smoker—he was known to chain-smoke Chesterfields, often two packs a day (Oral Cancer Foundation).

What this means: Bergman’s smoking was not a minor vice—it was a major risk factor that likely shortened her life, despite her access to the best medical care.

How many children did Ingrid Bergman have?

Ingrid Bergman had three daughters: Pia Lindström (born 1938, with Petter Lindström), Isabella Rossellini (born 1952, with Roberto Rossellini), and Isotta Rossellini (born 1952, twin with Isabella) (Wikipedia). Isabella Rossellini later became a famous actress and model.

Who were Ingrid Bergman’s children?

• Pia Lindström – television journalist
• Isabella Rossellini – actress and model
• Isotta Rossellini – literature professor

The trade-off: Bergman’s career and personal life were often in tension. Her affair with Roberto Rossellini led to a public scandal, but her daughters grew into accomplished women in their own right.

Timeline

• 1915 – Born in Stockholm, Sweden
• 1939 – Hollywood debut in Intermezzo
• 1942 – Stars in Casablanca opposite Humphrey Bogart
• 1944 – Wins first Academy Award for Gaslight
• 1950 – Affair with Roberto Rossellini becomes public; faces backlash
• 1974 – Diagnosed with breast cancer; undergoes mastectomy
• 1982 – Cancer returns; dies on her 67th birthday

Clarity check

Quotes

“He was a wonderful actor and a dear friend. We never had a romance.”

— Ingrid Bergman on Humphrey Bogart, as quoted in Encyclopedia.com

“I’m happy it all happened to me. I’ve had a very rich life.”

— Ingrid Bergman, cited in Encyclopedia.com obituary-style report

“There was never a dull moment.”

— Ingrid Bergman, from the same Encyclopedia.com profile

Summary

Ingrid Bergman’s final years were defined by a quiet battle with breast cancer, a lifelong smoking habit, and the enduring fascination of fans who wondered about her relationships with Bogart and Grant. The confirmed facts are clear: she died of cancer, she was a heavy smoker, and she had three daughters. The rumors—about last words, about Bogart, about Grant—remain unconfirmed. For readers of classic Hollywood history, the lesson is: separate the on-screen magic from the off-screen reality, or risk mistaking a great performance for a love story.

For a deeper look at her filmography and personal life, see Ingrid Bergmans biography and movies.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Bing Crosby: Cause of Death, Net Worth, and Family – Another Golden Age icon with a similar biographical format.
• Alec Guinness: Why He Hated Star Wars and How He Made Millions – A fellow classic actor whose life story parallels Bergman’s in depth and complexity.