Linda Thompson dated Elvis Presley in the 1970s, ending their relationship just a year before The King tragically passed away at 42. She recently shared insights into their time together and why she left him. Music shaped both their lives, but Elvis stood apart as the undisputed King of Rock. Known for hits like Jailhouse Rock and In the Ghetto and films such as King Creole and Viva Las Vegas, he combined immense talent with charisma, leaving a lasting mark before his death in 1977.
Linda’s Early Life
Born in Memphis in 1950, Linda fell in love with Elvis’s music early. By six, she declared she would marry him. As a teen, she won multiple beauty pageants, eventually becoming Miss Tennessee and placing third in Miss USA.
Meeting and Dating Elvis
Linda met Elvis in 1972, shortly after his divorce from Priscilla Presley. Their chemistry was immediate, and she soon moved into Graceland. Their relationship was complex—lover, friend, and confidante—but also marked by Elvis’s growing health struggles.
Caring for Elvis
Linda often watched over Elvis as his health declined due to prescription medications and other issues. She rushed him to the hospital in 1975 for liver problems, and by the end of that year, she decided to leave and focus on her own life.
Final Days and Legacy
Though they parted ways, Linda remained in contact until days before his death. On August 16, 1977, she received the heartbreaking news that Elvis had passed away. Through her stories and memories, Linda continues to honor the man behind the music.
