She established herself abroad with a successful tour of the United States In 1960. Later, she recorded albums with trumpeter Thad Jones and saxophonist Zoot Sims, among others.
She appeared in many Swedish movies, television shows, and plays, including The Emigrants and The New Land.
Zetterland suffered from scoliosis, and at the end of her career had to be helped on and off stage, and performed sitting down.
It is not known what started the fire in her apartment.