Elvis Aaron Presley had girls screaming for him even before he had his first local hit at nineteen with That’s Alright.
Throughout his life he pursued women from early days on the road, to co-star dalliances on film sets.
His long-term relationship with Priscilla Presley, and their shorter marriage, did little to stop The King’s wandering eye.
But in the final five years of his life one woman stood above all others, the local Memphis beauty queen who his closest family still maintain had the best chance of saving his life (and did so more than once while they were together).
Linda Thompson will return to Graceland this August and has been speaking about her life with Elvis this week. Scroll down to see her views on his other women and pictures of them together.
Linda was with Elvis for four and half years and, along with the star’s cousin, spoke out last year against the Baz Luhrman biopic which erased them from the story.
At the time, she said: “So many people are left out who were very important and instrumental in Elvis’ life – I wouldn’t call it a biopic.
“I spent four and a half years of my life living with and deeply caring for Elvis on many levels. I shared a hospital room with him every time he was in hospital. I had my own bed next to his during those times.
“I travelled on every tour with him. I was the only women to ever do so in this life. I was at every Las Vegas engagement during those years.
“I literally saved his life on several occasions.”
Linda added: “We stayed in touched and loved each other until the day he died – even though we had broken up and I had moved out of Graceland only eight months before.
“So any inclusion or exclusion in any movie ever made can never erase the important role I played in his life and he in mine. But every true fan already knows that.”
Linda has spoken openly and lovingly of her time with Elvis over the years and often appears at conventions and celebrations of his life. She will be a guest speaker at the upcoming Graceland Elvis week, joining the panel on August 15.
This week she reinforced her importance in his life with a candid and pointed post.
Linda posted a series of personal photos of herself with Elvis, alongside a heartfelt message.
She said: “It’s amazing how many photos were actually taken of Elvis & me during the 4 1/2 years we lived together since there were no iPhones then! I am sharing with you just a few…
“Most of the shots were taken by paparazzi or fans. If you want to know who spent the most time with Elvis in the last years of his life, all you have to do is scan the photos.
“A few other “friends” may have passed through and gotten their photos taken once or twice, but they were just passing through. I was the constant in his life during those years.”
Linda added: “I have been appearing at a few Elvis events this year, and I am looking forward to sharing my rarified memories at Graceland’s Elvis week in August. Elvis has the most loyal and best fans in the world, and I am looking forward to seeing many of you there!”
The actress and Oscar-nominated songwriter, still glamorous at 72, met Elvis in July 1972, six months after his divorce from Priscilla was finalised. After standing by him for over four years, she eventually left when she realised he would never settle down.
Linda married Bruce (now Caitlyn) Jenner in 1981 and they had two sons, Brandon and Brody. Her second marriage was to music producer David Foster. She remains close to both her exes while also keeping the memory of Elvis alive.
