Linda Thompson admits with a sardonic smirk that she "certainly understands how to pick men." She lost her virginity to Elvis Presley - the memory of his kiss is still vivid 45 years after his death - and nursed him through his addiction. She was with him actually on his "dying years" even though he did not know he was dying -- but was not acknowledged on the new "Elvis documentary."
She has no hard feelings though, she knows the truth.
The premiere of Baz Luhrmann's critically appraised new "Elvis" film has injected new luster to his aura. The film, starring Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as his infamous manager Colonel Tom Parker, has achieved box office success and introduced the legend to a younger audience.
However, many of Elvis' inner circle have criticized the film for excluding the last five years of his life, including Thompson, said to be his last great love.
Now 72 years old, Linda was not asked for her opinion and has no intention of viewing the film. She states that Baz Luhrmann never contacted her and that she believes the film does Elvis an injustice. There are numerous inaccuracies and untruths.
She notes that although Elvis and singer BB King are depicted as confidants in the film, in actuality they did not have a strong friendship. Even more traumatic, her role in his life has been eliminated. Linda says that while Elvis was hospitalized, she shared his room.
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Although she has not watched the film, others have described its narrative to her. The film instead showed Priscilla, his ex-wife, at his bedside.
However, Thompson said Priscilla never even visited him, much less remained with him.
In his final years, Thompson said she saved his life ten to twelve times.
Her role was too big actually to be just discounted but the film did.
Thompson also revealed that Elvis's father, Vernon, told Linda shortly after his funeral, which she attended that she kept his son alive longer than he as the dad, could. She was told she was the ideal match for him.
Others also acknowledged her contribution. David Wade, one of the foremost authorities on Elvis in the United Kingdom, has operated "Elvis Travel Service" and "Strictly Elvis UK" for fifty years.
He asserts that Linda's importance in Elvis's life and legacy cannot be overstated. He added that it was terrible to exclude her from the film.
Meanwhile, Linda has nothing but positive thoughts toward Elvis's friends, the so-called Memphis Mafia. She states that those closest to Elvis took excellent care of him.
Elvis, once perhaps the most desired guy in the world, was alternately charming and horrible. He was with Linda, an actress and accomplished singer-songwriter, for over five years.
But she ached for children, normalcy, and an end to his final chaotic years of fluctuating emotions. Her next relationship would be with decathlete and Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner. Mr. America, a guy of godlike physical perfection, married Linda in 1981 and had two children. But four years later, he revealed his desire to transition. Linda kept his secret for thirty years until Jenner came out as Caitlyn, a transgender woman. Even her most recent relationship, her ex-husband of 14 years, the famed music producer David Foster, has received unanticipated appreciation.
Although hers is quite the list of exes. Linda stated that Elvis was the love of her life.
Presley passed away in 1977, he is still the world's best-selling performer, and he continues to captivate, interest, and captivate the world.
