Several love stories in Hollywood history carry the intensity of Linda Thompson’s bitter intensity and the romance of Elvis Presley.
Behind the shimmering lights, adoring fans and legendary glory, darker and fragile reality has developed – which few really understood. In the twilight of his life, Elvis found comfort and community in Linda, a woman who would stand in his most dangerous years.
But what really brought Linda to leave King Rock just one year before his tragic death? And what secrets have she had about his last days? Only now, ten years later, Linda Thompson fully revealed the heartbreaking truth about her time with Elvis – and a scary final call that is still reflected in her heart.
Linda Thompson opens up his life with Elvis Presley
At the age of 70, Linda Thompson was romantically involved in Elvis Presley and ended their relationship about a year before the music legend had died for only 42 years.
Recently, Linda has shared personal knowledge of her time with Elvis – revealed what eventually led to their breakup and offered a look in the last days.
Linda was born on May 23, 1950 and grew up in Memphis in Tennessee – just like Elvis. While he was busy winning talents on HEMES HIGH SCHOOL, Linda, as a young girl, she was already a big fan of his music. In fact, she once told her parents at the age of six: “I will marry Elvis Presley,” the dream she has held for years.
During her teenage years, Linda competed in many beauty processions while attending Kingsbury High School. She won several titles, including Miss Shelby County (1969) and Miss Mid-South Fair (1970).
Her success continued at Memphis State University, where she specialized in English and served at home court and eventually won the title Miss Memphis State University. In 1972 Linda won Miss Tennessee and placed third in the Miss USA procession.
Meeting with Elvis Presley
While Linda watched her career in the procession, Elvis reinforced his global star. His marriage to Priscilla Presley disintegrated in 1972 and after their divorce Elvis crossed the journeys with Linda during a private film screening.
Initially, Linda assumed that Elvis was still married and had no intentions besides meeting her idol. But when Elvis approached her with the charming, “Well, hello honey!” And later he explained that he was separated, romance quickly bloomed.
“He began to pull the classic” yawning and stretching “in the theater,” Linda recalled. When she mentioned, he was supposed to marry a southern girl, Elvis never forgot it.
Shortly thereafter, Linda moved to Graceland with Elvis and embarked on a relationship that would bring joy and heart break.
Life in Graceland
Linda experienced first -hand both the magic and the darker struggles of Elvis’s life. In 1973 she witnessed one of his career milestones – Aloha of Hawaii, the first solo concert broadcast live via satellite and reached more than 40 countries.
Their relationship was deeply intimate and versatile. In her memory, a small thing called Life (2016) described Linda her bond: Sometimes they were as a parent and a child, sometimes even siblings, but always deeply interconnected. Elvis was everything for her.
However, Linda soon recorded the fame of tolls, poor health and use of addictive substances on Elvis. He relied on sleep drugs – often mixed with other substances – and Linda would stay awake to watch it, sometimes wake up all night to make sure she was still breathing.
“It was exhausting, physically and emotionally,” she admitted. “Watching someone you love more than your own life of self -destruction … and feel helpless to stop it.”
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
In 1975, Linda, after several health scares and hospitalizations – including one for regulations caused by prescription drugs – realized that she could no longer control Elvis’s declining health independently. That October left Memphis to Los Angeles to focus on her own life and career.
“I was afraid he wouldn’t care about him as I did,” she said. “I was so tuned to his needs and habits after I lived with him so closely.”
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
Tragic end
August 16, 1977 Linda received – then living in Los Angeles – Devasting News: Elvis Presley died after he was found unconscious in Graceland. The days before Linda tried to check him by calling Graceland. Elvis’s close friend Charlie Hodge replied and assured her that Elvis was sleeping and breathing well. Lind’s last message to Elvis, handed over to Charlie, was simple and honest: “Tell him I called and I love him.”
Linda was also the first person called Nine -year -old Lisa Marie Presley called Night, her father died.
Public criticism and private memories
Over the years, Elvis and Lindy have often attracted a kind comparison with Priscilla Presley. Some say Elvis was supposed to stay with his ex -wife. However, such comments overlook the true love and support of Linda provided during one of the most vulnerable periods of his life. Their relationship deserves to be seen and respected by itself.
Life of Linda Thompson after Elvis
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
At the time she went with Elvis, Linda was building her own career, playing in the films like three on Meathook (1972) and appeared on television. Later she found success as a composer who contributed to the soundtracks for The Bodyguard (1992), which received her nomination Grammy and Oscar.
In her personal life, Linda married Bruce Jenner in 1981 (now Caitlyn Jenner) and had two sons, Brody and Brandon. After the divorce in 1991, she married musician and producer David Foster, even though they separated in 2005.
Linda continued her career in writing songs under 2000 and created original music for television shows like The Voice, The X Factor, Dancing with the Stars and American Idol.
Linda’s social media often honors Elvis’s memory. On the 43rd anniversary of her passage she shared emotional honor on Instagram and called him “King of the Cold, King of Rock” and appreciated his generosity, sensitivity and originality.
Rare musical moment
One particularly moving piece of history has recently rediscovered: a rare recording of 1973 about the harmonization of Elvis and Linda on a sweet, little -known song called “Your Life Just started”. Although
ound quality is not perfect, their affection shines and offers a rare personal view of Elvis’s recent years.
Conclusion
The story of Linda Thompson with Elvis Presley is a strong reminder that for each legend are real people who shared love, grief and moments of deep connection. We see Elvis not only as an icon, but as a deeply vulnerable man fighting inner demons. Her loyalty, compassion and devotion during some of the most dangerous years of his life reveal the chapter of Elvis’s story often overlooked.
Although their romance eventually ended, Lind’s unwavering support and permanent respect for Elvis show that some handcuffs exceed time and glory. Today, Linda continues to honor his memory with grace and ensures that the world not only remembers the rock, but the man she loved.