A new Netflix documentary, The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presleyreveals insights into Elvis Presley’s 1968 comeback special – but not every aspect of the international icon’s story is captured on film. Return of the King focuses on the efforts of Presley and his team, especially his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, to restart his career once again following Presley’s time in the army and a myriad of other factors that reduced public interest to some degree. Given this specific focus, many biographical details are missing from Return of the King.
An aspect of Presley’s life that is only covered in Return of the King is the acquisition of his now famous home, Graceland. Graceland is a mansion situated on a 13.8-acre estate in Memphis, Tennessee, and is now the final resting place of Presley and several members of his family, including his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who passed away in 2023. Clearly , Graceland had incredible meaning for Elvis Presley and remains connected to the Presley family to this day.but when exactly did Presley buy the property?
Elvis Presley was 22 years old when he bought Graceland in 1957
Elvis’ purchase of Graceland occurred shortly after his rise to fame
As Return of the King mentions, Elvis Presley bought Graceland in 1957meaning he was 22 years old when he acquired the massive property. This purchase therefore occurred surprisingly early in his career. Presley began his singing career when he signed with Sun Records in 1954, but did not become an immediate star. It wasn’t until 1956 that Presley had his first number one hit, “Heartbreak Hotel.” The same year, Presley appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, at which time millions of people tuned in and were captivated by his performance.
Presley had only been at the top of the charts for a year when he bought Graceland.
That means Presley was at the top of the charts just a year ago when he bought Graceland. This alone is indicative of how quickly he became successful. Presley grew up with significant financial hardship, so none of this was inherited inheritance. In a short space of time, he made enough money to buy a property that was quite expensive.
How much Elvis paid for Graceland
Graceland’s Price Is Surprising When Adjusted for Inflation
Elvis Presley paid $102,500 for Graceland. Adjusted for inflation, that equates to approximately $1.1 million today. This was a huge improvement over the first house Presley purchased in 1956, which cost $29,500 at the time. Ultimately, privacy concerns and her rapid rise to fame led to the move after just a year in this first house.
This sudden move was unique, as Graceland proved to be Presley’s permanent residence throughout the many changes that occurred in his life, from the numerous films Presley starred in to his marriage and divorce from Priscilla. In fact, even while Presley was serving in the military, his parents, who moved with him to Graceland in 1957, resided in the house and continued to care for it. As it turned out, Graceland was actually where Elvis Presley died.
What happened to Graceland after Elvis’ death in 1977
Graceland remained in the family
Elvis Presley’s death at age 42 truly shocked the world, and for good reason. The details of Presley’s death remain shrouded in a degree of mystery, largely due to speculation about the true cause of his death. Many have long believed that Presley’s early death was due to substance use, although this was consistently rejected by coroner Dr. Jerry Francisco, who stated that there was no evidence that drugs or other substances led to Presley’s death.
Speculations aside, Elvis Presley died of a heart attack at Graceland on August 16, 1977. Given Presley’s age and the sudden news of his death, this shocking ending for the King of Rock and Roll shook people all over the world. Presley is survived by several members of his family, including his father, his paternal grandmother, and his daughter. With so many surviving relatives, Graceland managed to remain in the Presley family and remains owned by Presley’s descendants to this day.
With the passing of Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie, in January 2023, the future of the property was somewhat in doubt once again, but later that year, her daughter, Riley Keough, was confirmed as Graceland’s new owner. However, no members of the Presley family currently live at Graceland, and the mansion has largely become a way to honor Presley’s legacy by allowing visitors to come and tour the home. Although The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley was focused on Elvis Presley’s 1968 Comeback Special, it’s clear how important Graceland was and remains to this day.