Concealed Details Within Graceland That Even Elvis Fans Aren't Aware Of
There’s no celebrity home more iconic than Elvis Presley’s Graceland. Hundreds of thousands of fans flock through its doors every year, and you’d assume they’ve pored over every inch of the King’s home — even inside the bright yellow refrigerator! But no, there are still some areas of the home that remain off-limits to visitors. So, what really lies within those immaculately preserved walls?
Purchasing Graceland
Elvis was only 22 years old when he decided to buy Graceland back in 1957. Located close to Memphis, Tennessee, its 14 acres set the star back a little over $100,000. The gorgeous house was to be a home for the King, his mother Gladys, father Vernon, and grandmother Minnie Mae.
Enter the Memphis Mafia
Over the years, it also became the home-away-from-home for members of Elvis’ famous entourage — the “Memphis Mafia.” During the 20 years Elvis lived in Graceland, numerous women — including Priscilla, of course —stayed there as well. And it would become a legendary location to his legions of fans.
Securing the family’s future
But when the King died in 1977, Vernon took control of Graceland. He passed on just two years later, and Priscilla became executor until Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie, came of age. It was Priscilla who secured a future for everyone associated with the King by creating a museum out of the Graceland estate.
Open since ’82
And in the summer of 1982, Graceland welcomed its first visitors. Elvis was still the biggest-selling solo artist ever, and a huge number of fans wanted to come to his home and pay tribute to their hero. It’s now a major tourist destination. The only U.S. home to have more people coming through its doors is the White House! Yet there are still some parts of the famous mansion that folks haven’t seen.
