Vernon Presley's first words after his son's death

Elvis Presley wasn’t just the King of Rock ’n’ Rol.— he was a beloved son, a devoted father, and a husband whose larger-than-life presence lit up every room he entered.

But when the shocking news of his death broke in August 1977, the world stood still… and behind the headlines, his family was shattered.

While millions mourned, Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley, stayed hidden from the public eye for three long days — grieving in silence, surrounded by heartbreak and disbelief.

And when he finally emerged to face the cameras, Vernon didn’t hold back.

What he said next left reporters — and fans — speechless.

Elvis Presley’s death in 1977 broke hearts around the world, but for those closest to him, the loss was far more personal and devastating.

From the moment Elvis skyrocketed to fame, his family was right there beside him. His parents, Vernon and Gladys, were his biggest supporters, living with him at Graceland for most of their lives. Later, his wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie joined them, along with a rotating cast of relatives — his grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We know that 23-year-old Elvis Presley was absolutely devastated when his mother, Gladys, passed away from a heart attack in 1958. Her death shattered him. But Elvis also shared a deep, unshakable bond with his father, Vernon — a connection that went far beyond blood.

”My love for my son began even before he was born on January 8, 1935. At that time there was almost nobody poorer than my wife Gladys and me. But we were thrilled and excited when we learned that we were going to be parents,” Vernon said in 1978.

Sensed something special in his son

Vernon once reflected on his son’s early days with a heartfelt honesty, saying he never imagined Elvis would become famous. ”At that time the idea never crossed my mind,” he admitted. ”A person doesn’t have to be a singer or a movie star or a president to fill an important role in the world. He can be a truck driver or a farmer or anything else and make his contribution.”

Still, Vernon sensed something special in his son from the start.

When Elvis signed his first record deal with Sun Records in 1954, Vernon stepped into the role of trusted advisor. He went on tour with his son, handled his business affairs, and worked closely with longtime manager Colonel Tom Parker. In Elvis’s later years, Vernon earned $75,000 a year — roughly $350,000 today — to keep his son’s empire running.

”I didn’t choose a goal for him and then shove him in that direction. Some fathers want their sons to be football players or lawyers or whatever. I only wanted Elvis to do what made him happy,” Vernon said.

Reflecting on their bond, Vernon once said that some of the happiest times of his life were simply spent talking with his son. Just days before Elvis passed away, the two sat together at Graceland for five or six hours, deep in conversation about life, memories, and everything in between.

Final conversation

Eventually, Vernon stood up and said, “Son, I have to go home now and get something to eat.” Elvis looked at him and replied, “I know, Daddy. But I want you to know that I’ve really enjoyed this.” Vernon added, “So had I.”

Elvis Presley was just 42 years old when he passed away at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 16, 1977.

After three days of private mourning, Vernon Presley finally stepped forward to face the hundreds of reporters who had gathered from around the globe to cover the death of the rock ’n’ roll legend.

Vernon Presley’s love for Elvis was deep and unwavering, but imagining him facing the world so soon after losing his son is heart-wrenching.

According to eyewitnesses, 62-year-old Vernon appeared exhausted as he addressed the press from the large den at the rear of the Graceland mansion. Dressed in casual sportswear, he tried his best to stay composed while reflecting on the devastating loss.

Adding to the heartbreak, over 80,000 fans had poured into Memphis to mourn the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, turning the city into a scene of overwhelming grief and chaos. In the midst of the frenzy, tragedy struck – two young girls were fatally hit by a car while standing in what was meant to be a no-traffic lane outside the gates of Graceland.

One of the first things Vernon did was express his condolences to the families of the two girls who died, calling their deaths a tragedy. He also praised the efforts of law enforcement during the overwhelming events.

“The funeral arrangements were all handled beautifully,” Vernon told The Commercial Appeal, also taking a moment to acknowledge the media.

“You were the most gracious. It is hard for me to put into words my thoughts at this time. But I do want you to know my feeling.”

Inside Elvis’ last day with his dad

As he continued, Vernon shared details about Elvis’ final day. He explained that Elvis’ sister, Mrs. Biggs, brought him a glass of water and the morning paper as he relaxed in his room. According to her, Elvis was in good spirits — happy, lighthearted, and excited about his upcoming tour.

Vernon recalled that earlier that morning, he had been in the office behind the mansion with Elvis’ road manager, Joe Esposito, going over tour plans. A short time later, Esposito entered the house.

“Joe called me between 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., I think, and told me I should come upstairs because something had happened,” Vernon said.

“I went upstairs and we started giving Elvis mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but I thought it was probably too late.”

“I looked at Elvis and I realized it was probably a helpless situation but it was so hard to believe it had happened.”

Just a day earlier, Elvis had shared what would become his final words to his father.

“I told Elvis, ‘I think I’ll just go with you on this tour,’” Vernon recalled.

“Then Elvis said, ‘Fine. The more the merrier.’”

Painful betrayal

In the days and years following Elvis Presley’s death, Vernon Presley found it nearly impossible to process the whirlwind of events that unfolded.

Overwhelmed by grief, he admitted that much of it felt surreal and beyond comprehension. In his heartbreak, Vernon said he didn’t think twice about security — a decision he would come to regret. One of the most painful betrayals came from within the family itself: Elvis’ own cousin had secretly snapped a photo of the singer lying in his casket and sold it to a tabloid for profit.

Elvis was originally laid to rest in a Memphis cemetery beside his beloved mother, Gladys. But when grave robbers attempted to steal his remains in a chilling ransom plot, Vernon Presley made a heartfelt decision — he had both Elvis and Gladys moved back to the place Elvis cherished most: Graceland. There, in the peaceful Meditation Garden that Elvis himself had built in 1964, father and son were finally reunited.

Just two years after Elvis’ passing, Vernon suffered a fatal heart attack on June 26, 1979. He, too, was laid to rest in the garden — a quiet corner of Graceland that now holds the Presleys together forever.