Stig Erik Leopold Anderson, also known as "Stikkan," was born on January 25, 1931, in Hova, Sweden. Raised by his single mother, Ester, Stig grew up in poverty, which instilled in him a strong work ethic and resourcefulness. He left school at 13 and worked various jobs, including as a delivery boy and a football boot repairer. Music became a significant part of his life early on, and by 16, he had written his first song.

Stig's career in music began in the 1950s, where he worked as a chemistry and mathematics teacher while pursuing songwriting. He gained prominence in 1959 with the song "Är du kär i mig ännu, Klas-Göran?" and became one of Sweden's most prolific songwriters, reportedly penning over 3,000 lyrics. In 1960, he co-founded Sweden Music, which later became Polar Music in 1963.

Anderson's most notable contribution to music was his role in managing and co-writing for the iconic Swedish pop band ABBA. He was instrumental in their success, co-writing hits like "Waterloo" and "Dancing Queen." Under his management, Polar Music became a successful record company, with ABBA as its flagship act.

Despite his success, Anderson faced financial difficulties in the mid-1980s, leading to legal disputes with ABBA members over financial mismanagement. In 1989, he founded the Polar Music Prize, and in 1990, sold Polar Music to PolyGram. Stig Anderson passed away on September 12, 1997, in Stockholm, leaving behind a legacy as a pivotal figure in Swedish pop music.