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Marie Persson played Annika in the Pippi Longstocking film adaptations. But nothing remains of her past glory. Today she is struggling with financial and health problems.
Sweden – Pretty much everyone knows Maria Persson’s (63) face. At least that of the young Maria Persson. Between 1969 and 1973 she played Annika in the “Pippi Longstocking” film adaptations. She became famous as a child alongside Inger Nilsson (63; Pippi) and Pär Sundberg (65; Tommy). However, not much remains of her former TV fame, and today Maria Persson is plagued by existential worries.
Maria Persson suddenly became world famous as a child
The 63-year-old revealed in an interview with kurier.at that she had been a big fan of the Astrid Lindgren books since she was a child. When the casting call came, she was convinced that she would get the role. And indeed: at the age of ten, Maria Persson beat out 8,000 applicants and got the role of Annika.
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At that time, however, no one seemed to really believe that the films would be a great success. And so the three main actors playing Pippi, Tommy and Annika have to accept a fee of just 2000 euros. “In retrospect, that really made me angry. When you think about how many people got rich because of it and we got nothing. And we were the stars,” Maria Persson is still angry today.
“Annika” actress Maria Persson is currently suffering from financial and health problems © IMAGO / SKATA
“Pippi Longstocking” star Maria Persson cannot afford her own apartment
The actress who played Annika did not pursue a career as an actress. To earn money, she worked as a child and nurse. Until recently, because now she is also suffering from health problems. Maria Persson had to give up her job because of arthritis. In order to be able to have the necessary operation, she needs to lose weight: “I need to lose even more weight in order to have the operation. It could happen in July. I want to be fit and healthy again.”
Tommy, Pippi Longstocking and Annika – who doesn’t know them? © IMAGO / United Archives
Due to the extreme financial burden, she cannot currently afford her own apartment and therefore lives with her son Oscar in Mallorca. However, Maria Persson can still rely on her “Pippi Longstocking” fans even after 50 years. They still support the former child stars Inger Nilsson, Pär Sundberg and Maria Persson today. Most recently, they collected 10,000 euros each for “Annika”, “Tommy” and “Pippi”. “That was so kind and helped me a lot. It’s good to have money to live on. Everything is so expensive these days,” says Maria Persson happily.
Maria Persson starred in these “Pippi Longstocking” films
Pippi Longstocking (1969)
Pippi Longstocking (German compilation from the series, 1969)
Pippi goes ashore (German compilation from the series, 1969)
Pippi in Taka-Tuka-Land (1970)
Pippi Longstocking (1970)
Here comes Pippi Longstocking (Swedish compilation from the series, 1973)
Editor’s note: This text has already appeared in the past. It was of particular interest to many readers. That is why we are offering it again.
In contrast to Maria Persson, former child star Ricky Schroder has always remained true to acting – this is what the actor from “Little Lord Fauntleroy” looks like today. Sources used: kurier.at
