Linda Thompson talks about her relationship with Elvis Presley
Linda Thompson dated Elvis Presley in the 1970s and ended their romance just one year before the King passed away at the age of 42.
Now, she has opened up about their relationship and the reasons that led her to leave him.
One of the things I love most about music is how deeply personal it is. One person might argue that a certain song is the greatest ever made, while another might feel it doesn’t even come close.
Across the millions of songs created throughout history, each carries something unique—whether good or bad.
But when it comes to who truly deserves the title of “the King,” there is only one answer: Elvis Presley.
Elvis Presley – The King
The King of Rock and Roll gave the world something entirely new with his music. He remains one of the greatest artists we have ever seen, combining immense talent with unmatched charisma.
Beyond his legendary songs like Jailhouse Rock, In the Ghetto, Hound Dog, and Love Me Tender, Elvis also starred in a number of films that elevated his career even further.
Among them were King Creole (1958), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and The Trouble with Girls (1969), all of which became classics in their own right.
Tragically, Elvis passed away in August 1977, leaving the world mourning a true musical phenomenon.
One of the people closest to him was his former girlfriend, Linda Thompson, who remained in contact with him until the very end.
She has since revealed why she left him and what happened during the final days of his life.
Linda Thompson – Early Life
When Linda Thompson was born on May 23, 1950, Elvis Presley was already winning talent contests at Humes High School in Memphis, Tennessee.
It would take 22 years before they met, but even as a child, she was already a fan of his music.
Linda grew up in Memphis, just like Elvis. When his breakthrough hit Heartbreak Hotel topped the charts, she wasn’t the only one captivated by him.
However, she later recalled that she somehow always believed she would meet—and even marry—Elvis one day.
As a teenager, Linda entered beauty pageants while attending Kingsbury High School. She quickly found success, winning titles such as Miss Shelby County (1969) and Miss Mid-South Fair (1970).
Her achievements didn’t stop there—she went on to win several other titles, including Miss Liberty Bowl and Miss Memphis State University.
She later placed third in both the Miss Tennessee and Miss USA competitions.
Meeting Elvis Presley
While Linda was building her pageant career, Elvis was already a global superstar. By 1970, he had released his twelfth studio album, That’s the Way It Is, and was married to Priscilla Presley.
The couple had welcomed their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, two years earlier.
However, Elvis and Priscilla’s marriage began to fall apart, leading to their divorce in 1972. Shortly after, Elvis met Linda at a private film screening.
According to Linda, Elvis approached her with a warm greeting, and although she initially thought he was still married, she soon realized he was no longer with Priscilla.
Their connection quickly deepened, and they began dating soon after.
Over the next four years, Linda would experience both the highs of being with a global icon and the emotional challenges that came with it.
Life at Graceland
Linda eventually moved into Elvis’s famous estate, Graceland. While their relationship was filled with love, she also witnessed his struggles firsthand.
During this time, Elvis achieved another historic milestone with his televised concert Aloha from Hawaii in 1973—the first solo concert broadcast worldwide via satellite.
In her 2016 memoir A Little Thing Called Life, Linda described their relationship as deeply complex and multi-dimensional.
She wrote that they were everything to each other at different times—lovers, friends, family, and emotional support systems.
Despite their strong bond, Elvis’s health began to decline during the final years of their relationship. He struggled with sleep issues and relied heavily on medication.
Linda often stayed awake at night just to make sure he was still breathing, a responsibility that became physically and emotionally exhausting.
Why Linda Left Elvis
By 1975, the situation had become overwhelming. Elvis’s health issues worsened, and Linda found it increasingly difficult to cope with what she described as his “self-destructive” spiral.
Although Elvis even bought her a house near Graceland, she ultimately made the difficult decision to leave and focus on her own life and career in Los Angeles.
Despite the breakup, Linda never stopped caring about him. She admitted that she worried whether anyone else would take care of him the way she had.
Elvis’s Final Days
Just days before Elvis’s death, Linda made what would become her final attempt to reach him. She called Graceland and spoke with his close friend and guitarist, Charlie Hodge.
Concerned about Elvis’s condition, she asked him to check on him.
After being reassured that Elvis was resting, Linda asked Charlie to pass along a message: that she had called, that she loved him, and that she simply wanted to make sure he was okay.
On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley was found unconscious in his bathroom and later pronounced dead at the hospital. His passing marked the end of an era.
Legacy and Reflection
Over the years, photos of Linda Thompson and Elvis Presley have often sparked comparisons—particularly with Priscilla Presley.
Many critics unfairly judged Linda’s appearance, overlooking the meaningful role she played in Elvis’s life during one of his most vulnerable periods.
In truth, Linda was more than just a girlfriend—she was a source of care, stability, and love when Elvis needed it most.
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Today, Linda continues to honor Elvis’s memory. Through social media and interviews, she reflects on his legacy, describing him as a man with immense talent, generosity, and emotional depth.
Though decades have passed, the story of Elvis Presley and Linda Thompson remains a powerful reminder that behind the legend was a human being—and behind the fame, a relationship built on genuine connection, care, and unforgettable moments.
