10 Things You Didn’t Know About Graceland – Home of Elvis Presley
Elvis Bought Graceland at Just 22 Years Old
In 1957, Elvis Presley was only 22 when he purchased Graceland for $102,500. At the time, it was a quiet colonial-style home sitting on nearly 14 acres of land in Memphis. Little did anyone know, it would soon become one of the most famous homes in the world.
It Was Named Before Elvis Moved In
Many assume Elvis named the estate, but Graceland was already the property’s name when he bought it. It was named after Grace Toof, the daughter of the original owner, and the name stuck long after The King made it his palace.
The Upstairs Is Still Off Limits
Even today, visitors are not allowed upstairs at Graceland. That area remains private, exactly as Elvis left it. Only close family and trusted staff are permitted access — out of deep respect for Elvis’s personal space.
Elvis Added the Famous “Jungle Room”
One of the home’s most talked-about rooms, the Jungle Room, was Elvis’s idea. It’s filled with Polynesian décor and green shag carpet on both the floor and ceiling. Elvis loved it so much, he used it as a recording studio in his later years.
Graceland Had One of the First Home Televisions With Multiple Screens
Elvis installed three TV sets side-by-side in one of the downstairs rooms so he could watch multiple channels at once — inspired by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s setup in the White House.
Elvis Gave Tours to Friends
Long before Graceland was opened to the public, Elvis would often give late-night tours to close friends, showing off his favorite rooms and playing music in the piano lounge.
There’s a Meditation Garden
The Meditation Garden, located behind the mansion, is where Elvis is buried alongside his parents and grandmother. It was designed as a place of peace — and remains one of the most visited parts of the estate.
Over 600,000 People Visit Each Year
Graceland is the second most-visited private home in the U.S., just behind the White House. Fans from all over the world travel to Memphis each year to walk through the halls where Elvis once lived.
Lisa Marie Presley Inherited the Estate at Age 25
Elvis’s only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, inherited Graceland on her 25th birthday in 1993. She later turned it into a full-fledged museum and landmark, keeping her father’s legacy alive.
Riley Keough Now Oversees Graceland
After Lisa Marie’s passing in 2023, Riley Keough, Elvis’s granddaughter, became the new steward of Graceland. She has vowed to preserve its legacy and keep it open for future generations.
Graceland isn’t just a house — it’s a living monument to Elvis Presley’s life, talent, and the enduring bond between a star and his fans.