A brand-new Netflix documentary, Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley, reveals insights into Presley's time in the army and myriad other factors reduced public interest to a certain degree. Given this specific focus, many biographical details are absent in Return of the King.

One such aspect of Presley's life that is only touched upon 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 it is now the final resting place of Presley and several of his family , including his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who ed in 2023. Clearly, Graceland had incredible significance for Elvis Presley and continues to be tied to the Presley family to this day, but when exactly did Presley purchase the property?

Elvis Presley Was 22 When He Bought Graceland In 1957

Elvis' Purchase Of Graceland Came Very Soon After His Rise To Fame

As Return of the King mentions, Elvis Presley purchased Graceland in 1957, which means he was 22 years old when he acquired the massive estate. This purchase therefore came surprisingly early in his career. Presley began his singing career when he signed with Sun Records in 1954, but he was not an immediate star. It wasn't until 1956 that Presley had his first number one hit, "Heartbreak Hotel." In the same year, Presley appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, at which point millions tuned in and became captivated by his performance.

Presley had only been topping the charts for about one year when he bought Graceland.

This means Presley had only been topping the charts for about one year when he bought Graceland. This alone is indicative of how quickly he became successful. Presley grew up with significant financial difficulties, so none of this was inherited wealth. Within a very brief window, he had earned enough money to purchase an estate that came with quite the price tag.

How Much Elvis Paid For Graceland

Graceland's Price Tag Is Staggering When Adjusted For Inflation

Elvis Presley paid $102,500 for Graceland. Adjusted for inflation, this equates to approximately $1.1 million today. This was a massive step up from the first home Presley had purchased in 1956, which cost $29,500 at the time. Ultimately, privacy concerns and his rapid rise to fame prompted the move after only one year at this first house.

This sudden move was a one-off, though, as Graceland proved to be Presley's permanent residence throughout the many changes that took place in his life, from the numerous movies Presley starred in to his marriage to and divorce from Priscilla. In fact, even when Presley was serving in the military, his parents, who had moved into Graceland with him in 1957, resided in the home and continued to take care of it. Ultimately, Graceland was even where Elvis Presley died.

What Happened To Graceland After Elvis' Death In 1977

Graceland Stayed In The Family

Elvis Presley's death at 42 years old truly shocked the world, and for good reason. The details of Presley's death remain shrouded in a certain degree of mystery, largely due to speculation about the true cause of his death. Many have long believed Presley's early ing was due to substance use, although that has consistently been dismissed by coroner Dr. Jerry Francisco who has maintained that there was no evidence that drugs or other substances led to Presley's death.

Speculation aside, Elvis Presley died of a heart attack in Graceland on August 16, 1977. Given Presley's age and the very sudden news of his death, this shocking end for the King of Rock and Roll shook people the world over. Presley was survived by several of his family , including his father, his paternal grandmother, and his daughter. With so many surviving relatives, Graceland was able to stay in the Presley family, and it remains the property of the Presley descendants to this day.

With Presley's daughter Lisa Marie ing in January 2023, the future of the estate was somewhat in question once again, but later that year her daughter, Riley Keough, was confirmed to be the new owner of Graceland. However, no of the Presley family currently live in Graceland, and the mansion has largely become a way to honor Presley's legacy, permitting visitors to come and tour the home. Although Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley was focused on Elvis Presley's 1968 Comeback Special, it's clear how significant Graceland was and remains today.