What happened to Björn Andrésen, the "most beautiful boy in the world"?

Björn Andrésen, the Swedish actor who rose to fame as a teenager for his role in the 1971 film "Death in Venice," passed away on October 25, 2025 at the age of 70. His life was marked by personal tragedies and the challenges of dealing with the "most beautiful boy" label that followed him for decades.

How did Björn Andrésen's role in "Death in Venice" impact his life?

Andrésen's breakout role as Tadzio in the 1971 film "Death in Venice" led director Luchino Visconti to refer to him as "the most beautiful boy in the world," a label that Andrésen said "screwed up my life quite decently." He faced negative experiences with Visconti and struggled with the fame and attention that came with his sudden worldwide recognition.

What personal tragedies did Björn Andrésen face in his life?

Andrésen's life was marked by immense personal loss. His father died in an accident when he was young, and his mother died by suicide when he was just 10 years old. He later had two children with his ex-wife, but his infant son Elvin died of sudden infant death syndrome at 9 months old, an event that sent Andrésen into a deep depression and alcohol abuse.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / 'Most Beautiful Boy' Björn Andrésen Dies at 70 After Lifelong Struggles

'Most Beautiful Boy' Björn Andrésen Dies at 70 After Lifelong Struggles

27 Oct

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Summary

Björn Andrésen, known as the "most beautiful boy in the world," has died at age 70
He faced negative experiences with director Luchino Visconti and struggled with overnight fame
Andrésen's life was marked by personal tragedies, including the death of his son

'Most Beautiful Boy' Björn Andrésen Dies at 70 After Lifelong Struggles

Björn Andrésen, the Swedish actor and musician who rose to fame as a teenager in the 1971 film "Death in Venice," has passed away at the age of 70. Andrésen's death was confirmed on October 25, 2025 by Kristian Petri, the co-director of the 2021 documentary "The Most Beautiful Boy in the World."

Andrésen's breakout role came when he was just 15 years old, playing the character of Tadzio in Luchino Visconti's adaptation of the Thomas Mann novella. At the film's premiere, Visconti famously referred to Andrésen as "the most beautiful boy in the world," a label that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Andrésen spoke openly about the negative experiences he had with Visconti and the challenges of dealing with his sudden worldwide fame. He recounted being taken to a gay nightclub by the director when he was only 16, an experience that left him feeling "very uncomfortable." Andrésen, who was straight, said the way he was treated by the older men at the club was like being viewed as "a nice meaty dish."