Elvis Presley with his parents Vernon and Gladys in 1961.Photo:Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
His parents, Vernon and Gladys, lived with him at Graceland most of their lives, as did hiswife, Priscilla Presley, anddaughter, Lisa Marie. Other family members like Elvis’ grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins all lived on the property at various times.
Family was at the core of his career, too. Vernon (along with Elvis’ manager, Col. Tom Parker) managed the singer’s business affairs and would go on tour with him. Unfortunately, Gladys did not get to enjoy much of the life that came with Elvis’ fame; she died in 1958 when Elvis was only 23 and enlisted in the Army.
But who are Vernon and Gladys Presley? Read on to learn about their humble origins, life at Graceland and close relationship with their son.
They met when they were very young
Elvis Presley with his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley circa 1958.Hulton Archive/Getty
Hulton Archive/Getty
Gladys was born on April 25, 1912, in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, while Vernon was born on April 10, 1916, in Fulton, Mississippi.
When the two met, Vernon was only 17 and Gladys was 21. Though they fell for each other quickly, the couple could not legally get married because Vernon was underage. He lied to the court, saying he was 18, and they wed in 1933.
“At that time there was almost nobody poorer than my wife Gladys and me,” VernontoldGood Housekeepingin 1978. “But we were thrilled and excited when we learned that we were going to be parents.”
The young family lived in poverty
Elvis Presley, 2, with his parents Vernon Presley and Gladys Presley in 1937.Michael Ochs Archive/Getty
Michael Ochs Archive/Getty
According to Graceland’s website, the Presleys' financial difficulties guided Elvis toward music. When he wanted a bicycle the family could not afford, Gladys encouraged him to accept a guitar instead. With Elvis' promise as a musician and the hopes of better opportunities in a bigger city, the familymoved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, with so few belongings that they all fit into their 1939 Dodge,The Washington Postreported.
Elvis’ first recording was a gift for Gladys
Elvis Presley with his parents Vernon and Gladys in 1956.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Long before he found fame, a teenage Elvis made his mother a gift: He went to Memphis Recording Service and recorded two songs. It cost about $4. Those two songs, “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin,” got the attention of Sun Records and started his career.
Vernon guided Elvis in his business ventures
Elvis Presley and his father, Vernon Presley, in 1970.Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty
Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty
In 1954, Sun Records offered Elvis his first recording contract. Vernon became his trusted advisor — going on tour with his son and managing his affairs, along with Elvis’ manager, Col. Tom Parker.
In Elvis’ final years, Vernon made $75,000 a year (about $350,000 today) to manage his affairs.
The family lived at Graceland
Elvis Presley with his parents Gladys and Vernon.RB/Redferns
RB/Redferns
Elvis notoriously shunned public appearances outside of concerts because his fans would inevitably find him. Instead, Elvis preferred to keep everyone he cared about with him athis Memphis estate, which he bought when he was 22. Vernon, Gladys and other family members lived there over the years, and when Priscilla was 17, she moved to Memphisto live with the singer.
Not everything was harmonious, though. Elvishad a notorious temper, and he and Priscillaeventually divorced in 1972.
Gladys died at age 46
Elvis Presley with his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley.Bettmann/Getty
Bettmann/Getty
Elvis was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957. Just five months into his service, Gladys fell ill. Her son was granted leave to be with her, and shedied of cardiac arresttwo days later, on Aug. 14, 1958.
“It broke my heart,” Elvis said at the time, according to the Associated Press. “She was always my best girl.”
Two years later, Vernon remarried, this time to Dee Presley. The couple lived in a home on the Graceland grounds until their separation. They finalized their divorce in 1977.
Vernon died at age 63
Elvis Presley and his father Vernon Presley during a press conference after his first performance at the International Hotel in 1969.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
After Elvis’ death in 1977, Vernon took over all the business affairs at Graceland, but the home remained private. Elvis’ grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, still lived on the property with his aunt, Delta Mae Biggs, as her caretaker, and they kept things as much like they were when Elvis was alive as possible.
Vernon suffered a fatal heart attack and died on June 26, 1979.
The family is buried together at Graceland
Minnie Mae Presley, Elvis Presley, Vernon Presley and Gladys Presley’s burial sites in ‘Meditation Garden’ at Graceland.Raymond Boyd/Getty
Raymond Boyd/Getty
Elvis was interred at a Memphis cemetery near Gladys — but after criminalsattempted to steal his remainsand ransom them, Vernon eventually had the two brought back to Graceland andburied in the Meditation GardenElvis built on the property in 1964. When Vernon died, he was also interred in the garden.
After Lisa Marie’s death, Priscilla sued Lisa Marie’s daughter and executor,Riley Keough. Per the terms of the settlement,Priscilla will also be allowed to be buriedat Graceland in the Meditation Garden.
source: people.com
