Ulla Thorsell is the third wife of the renowned French singer, lyricist, diplomat, and activist Charles Aznavour. A former model, Thorsell has consistently avoided the limelight and rarely grants public interviews. She appears content to live a private life away from the fame surrounding her husband. In an interview with the newspaper Le Figaro, Aznavour commented on her reserved nature, noting that she dislikes public appearances and shuns being photographed. He remarked that during their outings, he is often the center of attention while his wife is relegated to the background. Aznavour met Thorsell through mutual acquaintances and was immediately captivated by her. Although he had been married twice before, he described Thorsell as the “love of his life.” Speaking to TV 7, the singer reflected on his past relationships, attributing the failure of his first marriage to his youth and the second to his own immaturity. He credited the success of his third marriage to Thorsell’s different cultural background, which he claimed taught him the value of tolerance.
Family & Personal Life
Ulla Thorsell was born in Sweden in 1944. Before her marriage, she worked as a model. In 1964, at the age of 20, she met Charles Aznavour (who was 17 years her senior) at a nightclub. At the time, she was reportedly unaware of his massive fame. Aznavour was immediately drawn to her calm demeanor, “Scandinavian honesty,” and natural beauty.
The Journey to Marriage
In his autobiography, Time of the Ever, Aznavour admitted that his previous two failed marriages made him hesitant to wed again. He initially preferred that they live together, but Thorsell insisted on marriage and a family. When he hesitated to commit, she briefly left him and returned to Sweden. Realizing the “void” in his life without her, Aznavour eventually called her and told her to find a wedding dress. They were married on January 11, 1967, in Las Vegas.
Their Life Together
The couple remained married for over five decades until Aznavour’s death in 2018. Aznavour often credited Thorsell with bringing balance to his life, noting that her Protestant upbringing and cultural background taught him tolerance, while he taught her how to “let loose.”
Children
The couple had three children together:
Katia (born 1969) – Often performed as a backup singer for her father.
Misha (born 1971) – An actor and writer.
Nicolas (born 1977) – A scientist who co-founded the Aznavour Foundation with his father.
Net Worth of Ulla Thorsell
While there is no publicly confirmed figure for Ulla Thorsell’s individual net worth, her late husband, Charles Aznavour, left behind a fortune estimated at €145 million (approximately $160 million) upon his death in 2018.
As his wife of over 50 years, Thorsell was a central part of his estate planning. Aznavour was famously meticulous about his will, having drafted it 30 years before his passing to ensure a peaceful succession and avoid the public legal battles common in famous families. Much of this wealth was managed through a Luxembourg-based holding company, Abrico SA, which he established to protect his family’s financial future.