Image Source: People.com
Dolph Lundgren is offering a candid look at his relationship with Emma Krokdal, recalling how they met when he was 61 and she was 22. The actor has revisited the beginning of their romance, their significant age difference, and the unwavering support Krokdal gave him during a difficult cancer battle.
The story appears in Lundgren’s new memoir, Fights Worth Fighting: Finding Strength in Struggle, which is now available. In the book, the Rocky IV star reflects on the unexpected connection that developed between him and Krokdal after she began working with him as a personal trainer in 2019.
Dolph Lundgren Reveals How His Romance With Emma Began
Lundgren writes that he knew he was “in trouble” when he first met Krokdal. At the time, she was recently divorced and single, while Lundgren was decades older and already an established Hollywood figure.
According to details reported by Entertainment Weekly, Lundgren was struck by Krokdal’s maturity and independence. He also appreciated that she had little awareness of his career or celebrity status. That lack of familiarity, he suggested, helped their relationship develop naturally.
“She really had no idea who I was or what I did for a living,” Lundgren recalled in the memoir. Their professional relationship gradually became a friendship before turning into a romance.
The couple became engaged in June 2020. They later married in an intimate ceremony in July 2023. For Lundgren, the relationship marked his second marriage. He was previously married to Anette Qviberg from 1994 to 2011, and they share two daughters, Ida and Greta.
A Striking Age Difference Became Part of Their Story
Lundgren acknowledges the age gap between himself and Krokdal throughout the memoir. He is now 68, while Krokdal is 30, making her only “two months younger” than his daughter Ida, who is 30.
The comparison is one of the more striking details in Lundgren’s account, but he emphasizes that his connection with Krokdal was based on more than attraction. He describes her as mature, resilient, and emotionally strong, particularly in the face of challenges that many people her age might never have encountered.
Rather than presenting their relationship as a simple celebrity romance, Lundgren frames it as a partnership shaped by trust and shared hardship. His reflections also reveal how quickly Krokdal became an important part of his personal life.
The Powerful Support Emma Gave During Lundgren’s Cancer Battle
One of the most emotional sections of the memoir focuses on Lundgren’s health. He was initially diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. In 2020, doctors discovered additional tumors, leading him to seek further medical care, including treatment for lung cancer.
Krokdal remained by his side throughout the process. Lundgren says she helped him manage the severe side effects of medication and accompanied him to medical appointments in Sweden, London, and Los Angeles.
“To this day, I really don’t know how she managed to get through it all without ever losing it herself,” he wrote. He also described her as an “angel” who helped him face one of the most frightening periods of his life.
Lundgren announced in 2024 that he was cancer-free. His memoir now offers additional insight into the private struggle behind that public health update and the role Krokdal played in his recovery.
What the Memoir Says About Their Marriage
The account presents Krokdal as more than Lundgren’s wife. She was his caregiver, emotional support, and companion during years of uncertainty. Her involvement in his treatment appears to have strengthened the bond between them.
For fans familiar with Lundgren’s action-hero roles, the personal revelations provide a very different perspective on the actor. The memoir moves beyond his screen persona to explore illness, aging, love, and the people who remain present during life’s most difficult moments.
Fights Worth Fighting: Finding Strength in Struggle is available now. The book gives readers a closer look at Lundgren’s career, health journey, marriage, and determination to keep moving forward despite serious setbacks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dolph Lundgren
How old was Dolph Lundgren when he met Emma Krokdal?
Dolph Lundgren was 61 when he met Emma Krokdal in 2019. Krokdal was 22 at the time.
When did Dolph Lundgren and Emma Krokdal get married?
The couple married in July 2023 in an intimate ceremony. They had become engaged in June 2020.
What cancer did Dolph Lundgren have?
Lundgren was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. Doctors later found additional tumors, and he eventually received treatment for lung cancer.
Is Dolph Lundgren cancer-free?
Yes. Lundgren announced in 2024 that he was cancer-free after undergoing treatment.
What is Dolph Lundgren’s new memoir called?
His memoir is titled Fights Worth Fighting: Finding Strength in Struggle. It covers his career, health challenges, marriage, and personal resilience.
