This means their age difference is 10 years, though because of their birth dates it is more like 10 years and four months. The Denver Posts editorial declared: SUDDENLY WE FEEL OLDER. Instant Elvis exploitation. They were pleasant to each other but the exchange was brief. I was dumbfounded., Elliott bolted to the emergency room (I didnt wait for an elevator--I took the stairs). These days, Alden stays out of the public eye as much as she can. His daughter and his companion, a local woman named Ginger Alden, and about 15 friends spent the night riding Casey's . His daughter and his companion, a local woman named Ginger Alden, and about 15 . So we had to get something no one else had. He was joined on the set by his wife and two sons. It was late afternoon on the 16th when he got a call from Baptist Hospitals chaplain, telling him hed soon be receiving a call from an Elvis associate. One of the many mourners was Ann-Margret, a Swedish-American actress who was once one of Elvis Presleys former lovers. Some of the Memphis Mafia thought that she was no good for Presley. Around 5 a.m. on the morning of August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley and fiancee Ginger Alden went to bed together, after spending much of the night awake despite Elvis trying to nod off with the aid of various prescription drugs, according to the Express. Ginger Alden is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall and has a body weight of around 71 Kg (156 lbs). At 3746 Elvis Presley Boulevard (no one here calls it just Presley or just Elvis) the ambulance was led up the winding driveway of Graceland by a waiting car. The crush of floral displays. Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margaret, John Wayne and Roger Smith attended the private funeral service. Thats how Bob Kendall described the largest funeral ever held--anywhere--for a private citizen. Although Elvis was unofficially betrothed to Priscilla Presley at the time, the connection he shared with his Viva Las Vegas co-star was too strong to be ignored. Alden, who was engaged to Elvis and was with him the day he died, has been the subject . . And going out the gates in the limo and seeing the streets lined up on both sides all the way to the cemetery. 29 at 2147 Elvis Presley Boulevard. Heres what to know, From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. Elvis Presley's family banned girlfriend Ginger from Graceland after The King's death ELVIS PRESLEY'S family stopped his fiancee at the gates of Graceland after his death. Ginger was there the night Elvis died and the subsequent days of the funeral, but she had never lived at Graceland and the will soon made it clear where she stood. Half an hour later, on the steps of Graceland a grief stricken Vernon announced to the world:My son, Elvis is dead, Memphis Press Scimitar announced: LONELY LIFE ENDS ON ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD The French headlines read: LADIEU A ELVIS! Elvis Presley died 10 years ago this day. On January 3, 1977 Elvis and Ginger along with a 15 man entourage attended the funeral of Ginger's Grandfather. After Elvis Presleys death on August 16, 1977 at Graceland, his will appointed his father, Vernon Presley, as executor and trustee. I said, To hell with it. . She says that they were happily and excitedly discussing wedding plans on the very night he died. . It must have been very traumatic to find Elvis, she was only young and didn't deserve to see that or go through that kind of heart break. Alden reportedly had a contentious relationship with the Presley family following his death. Ill never forget it. Co-authors Sonny West and Dave Hebler also did some talking. 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Of Elvis problems with drugs, Klein stressed, They were prescription drugs--not illicit drugs., Not that he didnt have colorful exploits with Elvis. Ginger Alden was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956. ET. The cameraman gave him an insiders hookup. Particularly featured was Heavenly Father.. During the funeral, Vernon reportedly welcomed more than 30,000 people from the entranceway of Graceland to allow people to pay their respects. That was one of the things about the dude. Just after 2pm Tuesday, August 16, 1977 Ginger Alden found Elvis, face down, unconscious, on the floor in the bathroom at Graceland. Then came a request from Nichopoulos: He wanted to drive to Graceland to break the news to Vernon Presley. Elvis Presley Was Originally Laid to Rest in a Public Cemetery But Then Moved to Graceland: Heres Why. There was a virtual scramble to interview anybody who had known Elvis. A journalistic war. Why isnt Elvis buried next to his mother? Did Ginger Alden attend Elvis funeral? Whats The Difference Between Dutch And French Braids? Elvis last week alive was apparently a happy one. Did Elvis really love Ginger Alden? To that time, the only Elvis-related feature that the Commercial Appeals Thomas had ever done was about a determined fan who had mailed herself to Graceland in a large box. Its the same with our photos of Gary Hart and the girl on his knee. Nobody wanted to delve into the seedier side., Brown--who would later work for the National Enquirer as its Elvis expert, and who these days writes about celebrities for books and newspapers (including The Times)--added: To this day, I keep thinking, If only wed all asked more questions. . Elviss last resting place was to be the family vault with space for six. Elvis had the Presidential Suite. Although Elvis Presley's final partner Ginger Alden has chosen to more or less remain out of the spotlight since her fiance's death in 1977, she made big headlines in recent years upon the release . It was enough, they said, to be in the same town with the King when he was laid away. maureenhall1966 Maybe she only grabbed this dress as she was in a haze of disbelief and sorrow. The day before he was to go on tour, the week that the controversial book Elvis What Happened?, which purported to detail his private life, appeared the month that he again had a record on the charts, Elvis dropped dead in his Graceland mansion and instantly passed from elusive legend to myth. But the Elvis autopsy report was never made public--at the request of his family. Recalled Elliott: She called and said, Weve just gotten Elvis Presley in respiratory distress--and it doesnt look good., Well, that floored me. The sense of loss was echoed across the country. West did a widely syndicated interview with Bob Greene. The Aldens. The world lost the King of Rock 40 years ago last August, and now his longtime queen is opening up about the day she said goodbye. No one expected it. Los Angeles, Stranger Things play that may hold key to the end taking 1959 Hawkins to West End, Commentary: Now hiring! Burk had long had dealings with Vernon Presley, but he wasnt expecting to get a call from Elvis former girlfriend, Linda Thompson, after Elvis death. Family and close friends hovered nearby. His personal doctor, George Nichopoulos, was administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation. By that time, we knew people would have read a lot about Elvis. It was the story. I dont know what she thinks of me, but she is the only thing left of Elvis. Other reporters were the enemy--and they were ruthless without using bullets.. Your email address will not be published. Ginger Alden who was Elvis' current girlfriend at the time of his death is selling her engagement ring whichElvis gave her. . He had planned to announce their engagement publicly on his upcoming tour in Memphis; sadly, he died before this could happen. According to sources within the Enquirer--as well as members of Elvis entourage--it was a cousin of Elvis who, armed with a $300 Minox (given him by an Enquirer reporter), snapped that last portrait. He was, friends said, extremely overweight and though he had seen Elvis What Happened?, written by three of his former bodyguards, he did not seem overly bothered by anything. She is an actress and a model and had been dating Elvis Presley at the time of his death. All Rights reserved. But the infamous musician was engaged to Ginger Alden before his death. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Red West, however, chose to stay out of the spotlight. He had taken his kids to their dentist when he chanced to call into his office for messages. Elvis Presleys funeral, held on the 18th, was a modest affair, though attended by stars such as his Viva Las Vegas co-star Ann-Margret, James Brown, and actor George Hamilton. He was found in the room next door to the bedroom of his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, by his girlfriend, Ginger Alden. . But I do regret that Elvis is dead--Ill always regret that. Speaking about the film, Priscilla said her work on such projects allows her to experience Elvis' life all over again. But the infamous musician was engaged to Ginger Alden before his death. It started to look like his trip had been for naught until he bumped into a photographer friend covering the spectacle. > the National Enquirer before she called for help for Elvis. Because of his longtime tenure with Elvis, and because Esposito was initially credited with finding the body (reports would later clarify that it was fiancee Ginger Alden who first made the discovery), he had dozens of requests for interviews. Ginger was living with Elvis Presley when he died on August 16, 1977. So, when he died, I guess you could say we also protected him. The world lost the King of Rock 40 years ago last August, and now his longtime queen is opening up about the day she said goodbye. Miss Alden, wearing the black dress she wore only hours earlier to the funeral, said she wanted to convince herself Presley was not dead. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. Matthew McConaughey Voices Elvis Presley in Priscilla-Approved Animated Series Agent Elvis Some Elvis associates are interviewed out, they said. . Marion Keiske Who Discovered Elvis Presley? The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners suspended his license for 90 days and put him on three months probation. His most famous home was Graceland, still a tourist attraction today, but he actually lived at nine different homes during those three decades. Crosby was driving and Jones was helping with revival attempts in the back. In 1976, she left Presley as Elvis began dating Mindi Miller from 1975 to 1976 and then Ginger Alden, his last serious girlfriend and the person who found his unresponsive body on the day he died. As it turned out, Elvis death generated more than tributes. Along with its last photo of Elvis, the Enquirer snared the last photo of Elvis alive, which happened to be snapped by a fans $20.95 Instamatic outside Graceland at 12:28 a.m. on Aug. 16. Contacted by Times about the comments he made a decade ago. Though he wasnt technically invited to Elvis services, Murray didnt let that stop him. She had just turned twenty, while Elvis was twenty-one years her senior. Ginger Alden, his fiance at the time, found him on his bathroom floor where he had been for hours. THE USA HAS GIVEN US THREE CULTURAL PHENOMENON: MICKEY MOUSE, COKE A COLA & ELVIS PRESLEY The Australian Herald: ONE HOUR BATTLE FAILS. Yet, Ginger still has an enormous diamond ring to prove he planned to marry her. 6. Who was Elvis's favorite female singer? In their book, When Elvis Died, Neal and Janice Gregory revealed that Kennedy was actually on assignment for the New York Daily News. Her autobiography mentions an uncomfortable moment during her engagement to Elvis. But, he stated, Elvis did suffer from a medication problem at times.. 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That amount in 1977 money is about $19.6 million in 2021 dollars. We took uppers to stay awake and sleeping pills to get to sleep. . He's written about art and entertainment for more than a decade, regularly contributing to outlets like Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly, and appearing as a guest on radio and television. Im waiting for someone to write about those., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Travis Scott is sought by New York Police after alleged assault and criminal mischief, Review: Michael B. Jordan is the one to fly now with Creed III, Unlike Andor, Mandalorian is going all in on Star Wars lore. She was banned from. Presley, just 42 at the time, died on August 16, 1977, at his Graceland home. The books timing also resulted in a then-staggering order for 2 million copies. Did Priscilla go to Elvis funeral? He smiled grimly, pointing out that almost two years later, Rivera would do a 20/20 show about Elvis misuse of prescription drugs. 4. After returning to Graceland he went to his racquet ball court and played until about six a.m. Tuesday, August 16th. According to one source, What we heard around the office was that (the photo thieves) had planned to have the Elvis photo reproduced on sweatshirts that they were going to market., The Enquirer may have had Elvis last photos, but the National Star (now known as the Star) had serialization rights to Elvis: What Happened?. Other Elvis sources have grown accustomed to receiving money for their memories. said that someone was having trouble breathing at Graceland. Performers who had worked with The King through the years, the Statesmen, Kathy Westmoreland, J.D. Even with that wild 1970s hairdo. How many houses did Elvis Presley have? Adding to the congestion of people were 16,000 Shriners in town for a convention. Thousands of fans who loved Elvis and who have expressed their sympathy. From fans to family members to friends, everyone mourned the loss of the pop culture icon. (The Enquirer was then published biweekly.) After calling Elvis kinfolk in Mississippi, the reporter was asked, What kind of money are we talkin about for this interview? After explaining that she couldnt offer payment, a reporter never got a call back. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Jesse Garons remains were never moved to Memphis. Everybody had their jobs to do. Even in the middle of the almost hysterical adulation, though, persisted the nagging reports and speculations and rumors about the cause of death. She failed. Despite not touching the upstairs areas, Lisa Marie and her family will often stay at the Graceland mansion and have even celebrated holidays at the home. Events in the book, as detailed by former Elvis employees Red West, Sonny West and Dave Hebler (as told to Steve Dunleavy), fired up the coverage (of Elvis death), said reporter William Thomas. The press descended like a flood. Sheila Ryan Caan, the most silent of Elvis' lovers to date, has written a new book on her relationship with Elvis and the three years she was the constant companion of the "King." The first national interview with Sheila aired on Entertainment Tonight on Friday, December 8, 2006. She failed. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? Ginger Alden, who was 21 years younger than the King of Rock n' Roll, was a beauty pageant star. And both West and Hebler appeared at a press conference on the day after Elvis death. When we wrote it, he was here to defend himself. 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