Introduction
Top 10 Shocking Secrets Elvis Didn’t Want You to Know
10. He Was a Germaphobe
Few people knew this, but Elvis Presley was terrified of germs. In a 2015 interview, Priscilla Presley revealed that he refused to use anyone else’s silverware—not even in high-end restaurants. He even avoided drinking from cups that others had used, always choosing to drink from the handle side, assuming no one else would. This phobia dated back to his childhood and made him uncomfortable eating at others’ homes, as he often brought his own utensils.
9. He Liked Younger Women
Elvis first met Priscilla when she was just 14, and he was 24. They later married after seven years of courtship. However, he was also romantically involved with other much younger women, including Linda Thompson and Ginger Alden, who were significantly younger and inexperienced. These relationships sparked controversy and raised questions about power imbalances and manipulation.
8. He Was Extremely Vain
Elvis’s obsession with his appearance drove him to drastic measures. Linda Thompson wrote that he once underwent a two-week sedation period to control his weight, waking only to eat and use the bathroom. He followed crash diets of 500 calories a day and often wore high-collared shirts to hide what he called his “chicken neck.” At age 40, he reportedly underwent a facelift.
7. He Owned a Party Chimpanzee
Elvis’s pet chimpanzee, Scatter, was used as party entertainment and trained to harass women by grabbing their clothes. Scatter also allegedly consumed alcohol. After being left behind during a tour, Scatter was found dead—some believe he was poisoned by a maid.
6. He Abused His Fiancée
Elvis proposed to Ginger Alden just two months into their relationship. However, behind closed doors, he was reportedly controlling and jealous. He allegedly shot at her car during an argument and once had someone puncture her car tires to prevent her from leaving.
5. Accusations of Racism
Music legend Quincy Jones once claimed Elvis was a racist and refused to work with him. Though Elvis worked with Black songwriters like Otis Blackwell, accusations remain that he appropriated Black culture without giving proper credit.
4. He May Have Had Secret Children
A two-year investigation by the National Enquirer claimed Elvis fathered multiple children outside the public eye. Evidence included birth certificates, letters, and testimonies. One woman, Desiree Presley, claims to be his daughter, with “Randolph Presley” listed as her father on official records.
3. He Was Addicted to Medications
After his mother’s death, Elvis began misusing prescription drugs. Linda Thompson recounted incidents where she found him passed out from sedatives. Despite attempts to hospitalize him, Elvis continued down a path of self-destruction.
2. Why Priscilla Left Him
Priscilla felt she had lost her identity in the marriage. After giving birth to their daughter, Elvis reportedly no longer wanted to sleep with her. She later admitted that she still loved him but left to rediscover herself and live life on her own terms.
1. He Had Violent Outbursts
According to Linda Thompson, Elvis’s temper was explosive, especially under the influence of narcotics. She described an incident where he wielded samurai swords in a drug-fueled rage. Although he never harmed her, she feared for her safety.