Inger Nilsson gained international fame for her starring role as Pippi Longstocking in the iconic 1969 television series. As a ten-year-old, she perfectly embodied the independent, incredibly strong, and imaginative character from Astrid Lindgren’s books. Her distinctive glance – bright red braids, a freckled face, and a mischievous smile – became a lasting part of television and pop culture history.
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Following the premiere of the Pippi Longstocking series in 1969, few anticipated the impact the role would have on young Inger Nilsson. The series, based on Astrid Lindgren’s books, quickly gained popularity, and the young actress became well-known not only in Sweden but internationally. She then focused on her education.
After completing her studies, the actress who played Pippi tried her hand at various roles, both on stage and in films such as “Kajsa Kavat” and “Gripsholm Castle.” She quickly resigned from acting, however. After years working as a secretary, her love for artistic pursuits proved stronger. Nilsson returned to the screen in 2007 in the series “Der Kommissar und das Meer,” where she starred until 2021. In 2025, she appeared in the series “Där solen alltid skiner.”
Today, Inger Nilsson looks quite different. Of course, this is nothing unusual – the actress turned 66 this year and is now an elegant, mature woman. The most significant visual change is in the actress’s face and hairstyle. The star of “Pippi Longstocking” now sports shoulder-length blonde hair, parted with bangs. However, a wide, radiant smile still graces her face, remaining her most recognizable feature. That joyful expression is one of the few elements that still connects the Swedish actress to her famous, carefree portrayal from her youth.
