Linda Thompson Opens Up About Her Relationship With Elvis Presley

Linda Thompson, the woman who shared an intense and deeply personal relationship with Elvis Presley in the 1970s, has finally opened up about her time with The King and the reasons behind her decision to leave him. Their romance lasted for four years, ending just a year before Elvis tragically passed away at the age of 42.

Elvis Presley is often referred to as the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, an artist whose influence has spanned generations. With iconic songs like “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender,” “Hound Dog,” and “In The Ghetto,” his music remains timeless. Beyond his career as a musician, Elvis also starred in classic films such as King Creole (1958), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and The Trouble with Girls (1969). When he died in August 1977, the world mourned the loss of one of music’s greatest legends.

Among those closest to Elvis in his final years was Linda Thompson. While their romance did not last, she remained in contact with him until the very end. In a recent interview, she shared the intimate details of their relationship, what made her leave, and what she witnessed in the last days of his life.

Linda was born on May 23, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee, the same city where Elvis grew up. She recalled being a fan of his music from a young age. When she was just six years old, she told her parents, “I am going to marry Elvis Presley.” Little did she know that years later, she would meet and fall in love with The King.

As a teenager, Linda participated in numerous beauty pageants. She won Miss Shelby County in 1969 and Miss Mid-South Fair the following year. Over time, she continued to win multiple titles, including Miss Liberty Bowl and Miss Memphis State University. In 1972, she won Miss Tennessee and placed third in the Miss USA pageant.

At the same time, Elvis Presley was at the height of his fame. In 1970, he released his twelfth studio album, That’s the Way It Is, while still married to Priscilla Presley. However, their marriage was already crumbling, and by 1972, Elvis and Priscilla divorced.

Shortly after his separation, Elvis met Linda Thompson at a private movie screening. She recalled how Elvis approached her and greeted her with, “Well, hello honey!” Initially, she assumed he was still married and had no romantic interest in him beyond admiration. However, when he explained that he and Priscilla had been separated and were finalizing their divorce, Linda saw him in a different light.

Their relationship developed quickly, and Linda eventually moved into Elvis’s Graceland estate. Their time together was filled with both joy and struggles. Linda was by Elvis’s side during some of the most pivotal moments of his later career, including his legendary Aloha from Hawaii television special in 1973, which became the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast globally via satellite.

Despite their deep connection, Linda eventually had to walk away. She witnessed firsthand Elvis’s increasing dependence on prescription medication and self-destructive habits. In her memoir, A Little Thing Called Life (2016), she described their unique relationship: “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.”

While their romance ended, Linda remained in touch with Elvis until his final days. She has continued to honor his memory and the 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 suspected—Elvis Presley was not just a global icon, but also a deeply complex and passionate man, whose love left an everlasting mark on those closest to him.