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Birgit Ridderstedt

1914 – 1985

Swedish-American folk singer

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About Birgit Ridderstedt

Lived 1914 – 1985 (aged 70). Birgit Ridderstedt was a Swedish singer.

Ridderstedt at her gift shop "Scandinavia in Batavia" in 1957. Birgit Ridderstedt (November 26, 1914 – September 16, 1985) was a Swedish-American folk singer who appeared at festivals and on television in the 1950s and early 1960s with material she produced herself.

Background Born in Ludvika, Sweden, a daughter of Stefan Anderson and Ragnhild Fredrika Sandberg, she emigrated with her husband C. Erik Ridderstedt and their two small sons Stefan and Lars-Erik to the United States in 1950, settling in Chicago and later in Batavia, Illinois.

Career Ridderstedt gave presentations on Scandinavian music and folklore on WTTW and WGN television in Chicago in the 1950s and early 1960s. She began by assisting her husband's business as an importer of gift items and handcrafted artwork from Sweden. She appeared on public service and commercial television in Chicago. On Polka Go-Round she featured young children singing Swedish songs and high school youths folk dancing. When after 12 years Ridderstedt left Illinois, a total of 45 young people had been with her on some ten TV programs about such Scandinavian celebrations as Midsummer, Lucy Day and Passion Plays; she had also performed four times with her groups in the annual Swedish Days festivities of Geneva, Illinois, and had appeared with orations and songs for various organizations.

Ridderstedt organized entertainment for festivals and parades in the Fox Valley (Illinois), and also opened her own gift shop. Ridderstedt returned to Sweden in 1962 with her family, but was also active in western Florida in the 1970s with her folk song programs.

The Ridderstedt couple lived in the Stockholm suburb of Täby after they retired; her husband died in 1982. Their grave is in Stora Tuna Churchyard.

Songs Ridderstedt wrote several songs of her own in the early 1950s, which have been registered with STIM.

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Important facts

People in Birgit Ridderstedt's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Birgit Ridderstedt's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Birgit Ridderstedt?

Swedish-American folk singer (1914-1985)

When was Birgit Ridderstedt born?

Birgit Ridderstedt was born on 26 November 1914 in Ludvika.

When did Birgit Ridderstedt die?

Birgit Ridderstedt died on 16 September 1985 in Danderyd Municipality.

What was Birgit Ridderstedt's occupation?

Birgit Ridderstedt was a singer.

What nationality was Birgit Ridderstedt?

Birgit Ridderstedt was Swedish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Birgit Ridderstedt

· Wikidata: Q4916281

· DBpedia: Birgit Ridderstedt

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Birgit Ridderstedt. https://biography.guide/birgit-ridderstedt/

MLA: "Birgit Ridderstedt." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/birgit-ridderstedt/.

Chicago: "Birgit Ridderstedt." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/birgit-ridderstedt/.

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