Imagine having all the fame and money in the world, millions of fans screaming your name, and a giant mansion to live in. You would think nothing could ever make you sad, right? But in October 1973, the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, learned that fame cannot protect you from a broken heart.
On that dark day, the most important person in his entire world—his five-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie Presley—packed up her toys to leave his famous home, Graceland.
Elvis and his wife, Priscilla, had decided to get a divorce. While newspapers all over the world printed big headlines about the famous couple breaking up, Elvis was feeling a very quiet, personal pain.
He had to stand by and watch his little girl’s clothes and favorite dolls get packed into boxes. Little Lisa Marie, whom Elvis lovingly nicknamed “Button Head,” was too young to understand what was happening. She played outside in the yard, smiling and laughing, while the adults around her tried not to cry.
Lisa Marie Presley on her father, Elvis | Official Charts
When the moment came to say goodbye, Elvis wrapped his big arms around his little girl. He held her extra tight, wishing he could make time stop. He softly whispered to her, asking her to call him all the time and come back to visit soon.
Those who were there said that when Lisa Marie looked up, saw tears rolling down the King’s face, and asked if he was crying, Elvis lost his voice completely. He could barely find the words to say goodbye to the love of his life.
As the car drove down the long driveway and out of sight, a heavy cloud fell over Graceland. The grand mansion, usually full of music, laughter, and bright lights, suddenly fell completely quiet.
For a man who spent his whole life listening to thousands of people clap for him on stage, that terrible silence was the loudest thing he had ever heard. Elvis hid away in his room, carrying a deep sadness that no song could ever cure. It shows us that beneath the sparkly capes and the legendary voice, Elvis’s favorite job in the world was simply being a dad.