Ann-Margret Appears at Event After Elbow Injury, Receives USO Honor

Veteran actress Ann-Margret made a public appearance this week after recently breaking her elbow.

The 85-year-old star attended an event at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California, where she received a special honor from the USO. She became only the second person to receive the USO Challenge Coin, an award recognizing her long history of supporting U.S. troops through live performances. Entertainer Bob Hope was the first to receive the honor in 1990.

Ann-Margret has entertained service members for decades, including a 1966 tour in Vietnam. She later reunited with fellow performers for another show in 2005 and has joined several USO tours over the years. Speaking at the event, she said those experiences and the soldiers she met “mean the world” to her.

The USO praised her lasting impact, noting that both Ann-Margret and the organization are celebrating their 85th year.

Her appearance comes shortly after she revealed she had broken her right elbow in a fall. She said she plans to be more careful but acknowledged accidents can still happen.

Because of the injury, she had to cancel a scheduled appearance at a convention in Kentucky earlier this year.

Looking ahead, Ann-Margret is expected to attend the 2026 Chita Rivera Awards in New York City on May 16, where she will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.