Let me take you back to a moment not long after Elvis Presley’s untimely passing at the age of 42 in August 1977. His daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who was just 9 years old at the time, wandered into the living room of Elvis's private nurse, Letetia Henley Kirk. Kirk lived right on the Graceland property, and Lisa often visited to play with her daughters. This was a place where the Presley family legacy intertwined with the lives of those closest to him.

“I had this massive velvet painting of Elvis that he’d given me,” Kirk exclusively shared with Closer. She recalls a touching moment when Lisa walked by the painting, paused, and with her tiny fingers, blew a kiss, saying, “I love you, Daddy.” Kirk says, “I melted right there. It was such a tender moment, a window into the deep bond between father and daughter.”

A Glimpse Into Elvis's Everyday Life

Though many fans only saw Elvis through the lens of his stardom, Letetia Henley Kirk got to know him on a much more personal level. From 1972 until his passing, she says, “he wasn’t just my patient but also a dear friend.” Over the years, Kirk observed many sides of Elvis: the spiritual man, the boyfriend to Linda Thompson, and the superstar on tour. For 38 years, she kept these intimate stories to herself. Then, in 2015, she published her self-titled memoir, Taking Care of Elvis, where she penned down her bittersweet memories.

Read also:
Sterling K Browns Impressive Journey Net Worth Career Highlights And More

“We spent countless hours together,” she reminisces. “I witnessed the full spectrum of his emotions—the highs and the lows, the happiness and the vulnerability.” Kirk also observed the darker chapters of his life, including his descent into loneliness and drug dependency. “I was incredibly fortunate to know him,” she reflects. “But I often wish there was something I could have done to bring him more joy.”

The Beginning of Their Friendship

Kirk first met Elvis around 1968 when she treated him at a Memphis medical clinic for saddle sores. Despite his iconic status, he was humble during their initial encounter, looking down as she and the doctor spoke with him. “I walked over, lifted his chin, and said, ‘Elvis, if you talk to me, you look at me,’” she recalls. Elvis appreciated what he called Kirk’s “country ways,” and in 1972, he hired her as his personal nurse. He even moved her, her husband (whom he also hired for security), and their daughters to Graceland. “Elvis had a way of getting what he wanted,” Kirk remembers fondly.

“He was incredibly family-oriented,” Kirk adds, but she also notes that Elvis felt a profound loneliness. By the time he and his wife, Priscilla, had separated, his life began to shift dramatically. “They stayed close through the phone,” Kirk says, “but after the split, Elvis started going out more. He was searching for companionship, but it was tough for someone of his stature to find that kind of connection.”

elvis-presley — Hollywood Photo Archive/Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Elvis and Linda Thompson: A Love Story Cut Short

When Elvis met Miss Tennessee Linda Thompson in 1972, he fell deeply in love. “He was so incredibly happy with Linda,” Kirk recalls. She describes Linda as an “intelligent and stunning lady” who brought immense joy to Elvis’s life. However, Linda left him a year before his death, explaining that it was exhausting to watch him slowly self-destruct. This heartbreak only added to the challenges he faced in his personal life.

While Elvis often turned to the Bible for solace—“he was a very spiritual person,” Kirk shares—he seemed unable to find peace. “The world thought he had everything, but the happiness wasn’t there,” she laments. “He was deeply unhappy because he’d gained so much weight and knew he wouldn’t be able to perform at the level he aspired to.” Despite Kirk’s efforts to improve his diet, he struggled to maintain healthier habits. Prescription drugs were readily available, and their overwhelming presence became a significant concern.

Reflecting on Elvis's Legacy

Kirk was at her clinic when Elvis tragically passed away from cardiac arrhythmia, a moment she still reflects on with regret. “Had he received immediate medical attention, there’s a strong possibility he might have survived,” she muses to Closer. “But who can say for sure?” Now, she cherishes the memories of her years with Elvis. “I want the world to understand what a remarkable, intelligent, and kind-hearted individual he was,” Kirk says. “He was truly one of a kind.”