The History
Elvis Presley purchased Graceland on March 19, 1957, for $102,500 when he was just 22 years old. The Colonial Revival mansion, built in 1939 on a 13.8-acre estate on Highway 51 South (later renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard), became his beloved home for the next 20 years. He lived there with his parents, his wife Priscilla, and his daughter Lisa Marie.
Elvis transformed Graceland into a reflection of his larger-than-life personality. The Jungle Room, with its green shag carpet on the ceiling, became an impromptu recording studio. The TV Room featured three televisions mounted side by side — inspired by President Lyndon Johnson, who watched all three network newscasts simultaneously. The racquetball building contained his last recording studio.
What Happened
By 1977, Elvis was in serious physical decline. Years of prescription drug abuse had taken a devastating toll. His personal physician, Dr. George Nichopoulos ("Dr. Nick"), had prescribed over 10,000 doses of sedatives, amphetamines, and narcotics in the eight months before Elvis's death.
On the morning of August 16, 1977, Elvis returned to Graceland from a late-night dentist appointment. His girlfriend, Ginger Alden, went to sleep while Elvis retired to his bathroom to read. At approximately 2:30 p.m., Alden found him face-down on the bathroom floor.
He was rushed to Baptist Memorial Hospital but pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. He was 42 years old. The official cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia, though the toxicology report found significant levels of codeine, Quaalude, and multiple other drugs. Over 75,000 people lined Elvis Presley Boulevard for the funeral procession.
Key Facts
The Grave Robbers
Elvis was originally buried at Forest Hill Cemetery. After a failed attempt to steal the body, he and his mother were moved to the Meditation Garden at Graceland in October 1977.
National Historic Landmark
Graceland was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It's the second most-visited private home in America after the White House, drawing over 600,000 visitors annually.
The Upstairs
The second floor of Graceland, including the bathroom where Elvis died and his bedroom, has never been opened to the public. Lisa Marie requested it remain private, and that wish is still honored.
What's There Now
Visit Graceland
Address: 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN
Status: Museum and tourist attraction, open year-round. Part of a larger entertainment complex including Elvis Presley's Memphis across the street.
Highlights: Self-guided iPad tours of the mansion, the Meditation Garden gravesite, the car museum featuring Elvis's pink Cadillac, the airplane exhibit with the Lisa Marie (his custom Convair 880), and extensive memorabilia collections.
Tip: August 16 (death anniversary) and January 8 (birthday) draw the largest crowds. Elvis Week in August features candlelight vigils at the gravesite.
Explore on Interactive Map →