When news of the Elvis Presley's death spread, a wave of sadness washed across his many loves over the years.
Yet one ex-lover Priscilla Presley refused to allow with her on the private plane to Elvis' funeral: Linda Thompson. The pair had been involved in a serious relationship from 1972 to 1976.
In 1972, when Linda met Elvis, she had just begun what was to become a successful career in the music industry. Instantly smitten, the pair started a relationship that saw them spending much of the next five years together in Las Vegas and Memphis.
For a large portion of his later years, Linda was the primary support system for Elvis Presley.
Linda and Elvis had a relationship that was deep enough for her to be close with his family members, such as Lisa Marie and Vernon Presley.
Thus it did not come as a surprise when he offered her an invitation to take the private plane to his funeral, according to Express UK.
In Linda Thompson's 2016 memoir, "A Little Thing Called Life," she recounts that Elvis' father, Vernon, phoned her shortly after Elvis's passing was announced.
He expressed his immense grief and sorrow over the death of his beloved son and informed Thompson that "The Lisa Marie" (Elvis's private plane) would be arriving shortly to take her away.
Vernon implored Linda to get her belongings ready to go; he was talking about a return home to Graceland. The place where she had been living for the past five years since ending her relationship with Elvis, which happened due to his addiction issues.
The plans for the funeral included someone very special to the late singer, including Linda.
She reflected on her gratitude for Vernon's efforts in her memoir, noting the incredible weight he had to bear in organizing such a heartbreaking task as burying his son.
Despite the immense shock of Elvis' passing, she recalled that he had brought family and friends back to Memphis.
"I did appreciate that Mr. Presley had thought of me when trying to orchestrate the logistics of getting loved ones back to Memphis."
"Elvis's death so shook him, yet he'd had to plan and organize the unthinkable task of burying his only child."
When Linda contacted Priscilla Presley to discuss the plane arrangement, she was met with a firm response. After an uncomfortable silence, the ex-wife of Elvis declared that she felt uneasy with the idea.
"I don't want to land in Memphis and get off the plane to a three-ring circus of the press saying 'Linda and Priscilla flew together on the Lisa Marie.'"
"I don't think you and I should arrive together. I should be the only one like that on the plane."
For Linda, the rejection was both confusing and hurtful. She thought of herself as an admirer of Elvis, just like Priscilla, with no knowledge that the latter had already been aboard his private jet, the Lisa Marie.
Reluctantly, Linda determined that the only way to get to Memphis was by her means.
It was out of the question for her to call Vernon Presley and make a big deal of things during such a painful time, so she let him have his mourning period without interference.
As Priscilla laid eyes on Elvis's ex at Graceland the next day, she felt compelled to apologize for not allowing Linda to fly with her. She understood how it might have come off as strange and rash in such a chaotic moment, explaining that "it was just a crazy time."
Linda wrote in her book that when she heard Priscilla's apology, it was clear to her just how tough a spot they were all in.
Despite the pain caused by Priscilla's decisions, Linda reportedly understood why she had made them - she, too, was going through a tough time.
As strange as it was, Priscilla and Linda found common ground in their admiration for Elvis Presley. To her astonishment, Priscilla went so far as to thank her for taking "excellent care of him."
READ MORE: Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley Have Similar Cause of Death? Iconic Stars' Demise Explored
