Björn Andrésen, the teenage boy who earned the title of “the most beautiful boy in the world,” has died at the age of 70, as confirmed by his daughter to the Swedish press and by the directors of the documentary about his life, Kristina Lindström and Kristian Petri.
The news has shaken the film world, bringing back memories of that young man of otherworldly beauty who captivated director Luchino Visconti.
In 1970, Visconti traveled across Europe searching for the perfect boy to embody absolute beauty in his adaptation of Thomas Mann’s 'Death in Venice.' In Stockholm, he discovered Björn Andrésen, a shy 15-year-old who was suddenly thrust into international fame overnight.
The Italian filmmaker premiered 'Death in Venice' on March 1, 1971, in London, with Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne in attendance. It was at that premiere that Visconti famously described Björn as “the most beautiful boy in the world.” That label would follow the Swedish actor for the rest of his life.
The experience of filming the movie plunged him into depression and led him into a spiral of addiction, as he later revealed in the documentary about his life, directed by Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindström.
On the night of the premiere, the young actor turned to alcohol to ease his loneliness, a pattern that would repeat during later trips, such as in Japan, where he was encouraged to use drugs before performing in front of local audiences.
His childhood had also been marked by tragedy, as he grew up without a father, and his mother took her own life when he was just ten years old. Raised by his maternal grandparents, he studied music at the Adolf Fredrik School, showing an early talent for the piano.
At 15, he was chosen to play Tadzio in 'Death in Venice,' a role that instantly made him an international icon of beauty. His youthful, ethereal looks inspired filmmakers, manga, and anime artists for decades, especially in Japan.
In addition to appearing in A Swedish Love Story (En kärlekshistoria), he worked in various Swedish and Japanese productions, as well as in films such as Midsommar (2019) and Smugglarkungen (1985).
In Japan, he even became a pop-culture figure, recording songs and appearing in commercials as a model. He also stood out as a professional musician and keyboardist for the group Sven Erics.
Andrésen was married to Susanna Román, and they had two children, a daughter, Robine, born in 1984, and a son, Elvin, born two years later. Tragedy struck again when his infant son died of sudden infant death syndrome at just nine months old.
Throughout his life, Andrésen spoke openly about the negative impact of his sudden fame and of being idolized for his youthful beauty. His story was explored in the 2021 documentary 'The Most Beautiful Boy' in the World, which delved into the emotional and social scars left by his early fame.