Graceland, located in Memphis, Tennessee, was the home of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Built in 1939, the mansion became a symbol of Elvis’ success and a major tourist attraction after his death in 1977. The house was purchased by Elvis in 1957 for a little over $100,000, and it was here that he lived until his death in 1977. The mansion has been open to the public for tours since 1982 and it’s considered one of the most visited private homes in America.
The mansion was purchased by Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley, on his son’s behalf. Elvis was just 22 years old when he bought Graceland and it was there that he created some of his most iconic music. The house features a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, a trophy building, and a racquetball court. It also features a Jungle Room, complete with a waterfall, and a Meditation Garden where Elvis and his family are buried.
Elvis’ daughter, the late Lisa Marie Presley, inherited Graceland after her father’s death. She was just nine years old at the time, and she grew up visiting the mansion and spending time with her father. After her father’s death, Lisa Marie fully inherited the estate and became its custodian in 1993. In the early 2000s, she decided to open the house to the public for tours, and since then, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States, attracting over 600,000 visitors a year.
In recent years, Lisa Marie had been involved in the management and preservation of Graceland. She had also used the mansion as a base for her own music career, recording her debut album, “To Whom It May Concern” in the Graceland studios. In 2005, the late singer sold a controlling interest in Graceland to CKX, Inc. (now known as Authentic Brands Group) for $138 million, but maintained a minority stake in the property.
In conclusion, Graceland is the iconic home of Elvis Presley, where he created some of his most iconic music, and where he lived until his death. The mansion was purchased by Elvis’ father and inherited by his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, who opened it to the public for tours and preserved it as a symbol of her father’s legacy. Today, it’s considered one of the most visited private homes in America and it continues to be a major tourist attraction.