Linda Thompson Opens Up About Her Relationship With Elvis Presley

Linda Thompson, the former beauty queen and longtime girlfriend of Elvis Presley, has opened up about her relationship with The King and the reasons behind their breakup. Their romance, which began in the early 1970s, lasted four years and ended just a year before Elvis tragically passed away at the age of 42.

Elvis Presley is widely regarded as the King of Rock and Roll. His legacy has spanned generations, thanks to his unforgettable songs like “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender,” “Hound Dog,” and “In The Ghetto.” Beyond his extraordinary music career, Elvis was also a film star, with classics such as King Creole (1958), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and The Trouble with Girls (1969). When he passed away in August 1977, the world lost an icon whose influence remains unmatched.

Among those closest to him during his final years was Linda Thompson. Although their romance ended before his passing, she remained in contact with him until the very end. Now, she has decided to share her intimate memories, revealing what made her leave and what she witnessed in the final days of his life.

Born on May 23, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee—Elvis’s hometown—Linda grew up as a fan of The King. Even as a child, she was captivated by his music and charisma. At just six years old, she told her parents, “I am going to marry Elvis Presley.” Little did she know that years later, she would come face-to-face with her childhood idol and develop a deep and complex relationship with him.

Linda was no stranger to the spotlight. As a teenager, she competed in numerous beauty pageants, winning titles such as Miss Shelby County in 1969 and Miss Mid-South Fair the following year. Her success continued with crowns like Miss Liberty Bowl and Miss Memphis State University. In 1972, she was named Miss Tennessee and placed third in the Miss USA pageant.

During this time, Elvis Presley was at the peak of his fame. He had just released his twelfth studio album, That’s the Way It Is, while still married to Priscilla Presley. However, their marriage was crumbling, and by 1972, they had officially divorced.

Shortly after his separation, Elvis met Linda at a private screening. She recalled the moment he approached her and said, “Well, hello honey!” Initially, she thought he was still married and had no romantic intentions toward him. However, when Elvis assured her that he and Priscilla were no longer together, Linda saw him differently.

Their romance blossomed quickly, and before long, Linda had moved into Elvis’s Graceland estate. Their relationship was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments, but it was also marked by challenges. Linda witnessed firsthand the struggles Elvis faced with his health and prescription medication.

In 1973, just a year into their relationship, Linda watched history unfold as Elvis performed Aloha from Hawaii, the first solo concert to be broadcast worldwide via satellite. The event was viewed in over 40 countries and remains one of the most-watched performances in music history.

Despite their deep love, Linda ultimately had to make a difficult choice. She could no longer stand by and watch Elvis continue down a self-destructive path. In her memoir, A Little Thing Called Life (2016), she described their relationship as unique and multi-faceted: “Ours was a complete relationship—when the need arose, we got to be everything to each other. He was almost sixteen years older than me, so sometimes I was the little girl and he played the daddy. But more often than not, I was the mommy, and he was the baby. Sometimes we were lovers, sometimes we were best friends. We were all things to each other at one time or another. And Elvis was always, always everything to me.”

Although she left the relationship, Linda continued to care for Elvis and stayed in contact with him until his passing. She has remained open about the profound impact he had on her life. Fans of The King have long speculated about the depth of their relationship, and now Linda has confirmed what many believed—Elvis Presley was not just a legend, but a deeply complex and passionate man who left a lasting impression on those who knew him best.