Elvis Presley’s Generosity Was as Legendary as His Music — From Personal Gifts to Secret Donations

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Legendary Elvis Presley was known for his over-the-top lifestyle, but behind the glitz and glamour, he had a truly generous heart. He gave away millions, often in secret, and never sought publicity for any of his acts of kindness.

“When I was a boy, I always saw myself as a hero in comic books and movies,” said Elvis. “I grew up believing this dream.”

His dream came true because he was a hero to millions of people. After growing up poor and being surrounded by people going through hard times, he learned early what it meant to receive food and clothes from others, and later to freely help others both publicly and privately.

Take a look at just a few of the times he went out of his way to help people.

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BUYING CADILLACS

Elvis famously gave away Cadillacs, but many people don’t realize just how often he did it. He would walk into car dealerships and buy vehicles for complete strangers. One instance involved a woman named Minnie Person, a bank teller, who was admiring a car outside a Memphis dealership. Elvis asked her, “If you could have any car in the showroom, what would you have?” Minnie said, “The white Cadillac convertible.” Elvis said, “Good choice,” then walked in and bought it for her on the spot.

HELPING A BLACK WOMAN DURING SEGREGATION

In the 1950s, segregation was still deeply ingrained in the South. Elvis once saw a Black woman being denied service at a gas station. He paid for her gas and gave her extra money to ensure she was safe and taken care of. Elvis was outspoken about racial injustice and would always step in to help those he believed were being treated unfairly.

SECRET DONATIONS TO ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Elvis had a soft spot for sick children and quietly donated large sums to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. He never wanted credit for it, and the hospital only later acknowledged his consistent support. In 1957, founder Danny Thomas requested that Elvis appear as a special guest in his “Shower of Stars,” a charity event he had organized every year since 1954 in Memphis to raise funds to build what is today the most important medical and research center for children with cancer. When Elvis was announced to be part of the event, donors from three states attended and construction began less than six months later. In 1968, Elvis allowed one of his Rolls-Royces to be auctioned off for a charity that assisted children with mental disabilities. He also gave generously to the American Cancer Society, Braille Institute of America, Father Flanagan’s Boys Town of Nebraska, Fraternal Order of Police, Goodwill Industries, March of Dimes, Motion Picture Relief Fund, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Salvation Army and United Cerebral Palsy.

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PERSONAL VISITS TO HOSPITALS

Before Elvis was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958, he routinely visited hospitalized children facing life-threatening illnesses. Many times, his interactions with the kids moved him to tears. He donated millions of stuffed animals to medical centers.

GIVING GIFTS TO HIS ARMY BUDDIES

When Elvis was serving at Ray Barracks in Friedberg, West Germany, he asked superiors for no special treatment and trained as hard as anyone else. He gave TV sets to his fellow soldiers and also supplied everyone on the base with an extra uniform. He donated every cent of his Army pay to charity.

PAYING OFF PEOPLE’S DEBTS

Many fans wrote letters to Elvis asking for help, and he quietly stepped in. He once heard about a woman about to lose her home, so he paid off her mortgage. Another time, he covered a stranger’s medical bills when he learned they couldn’t afford life-saving surgery.

TAKING CARE OF FORMER BANDMATES

Even after his fame skyrocketed, Elvis never forgot those who helped him in the early days. He gave his first band, the Blue Moon Boys, financial support long after they stopped touring together, ensuring they were never in need.

SUPPORTING HIS EMPLOYEES GENEROUSLY

Elvis treated his staff like family, often gifting them homes, cars and cash bonuses. One of his maids once mentioned needing a new car, and the next day, Elvis handed her the keys to a brand-new one.

A LITTLE GIRL’S MEDICAL BILLS

In 1964, Elvis read in the newspaper about a little girl in California who needed a wheelchair after an accident. Without hesitation, he covered all the costs of an electric wheelchair — and delivered it personally!

HELPING VICTIMS OF A TORNADO

In 1975 Elvis gave a concert in Jackson, Miss., that raised more than $100,000 for victims of a tornado. This concert was deeply personal to Elvis because when he was a child a tornado tore through his hometown in Tupelo, Miss., and killed many people.

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GIVING JEWELRY & WATCHES

Elvis loved jewelry and often gifted it to people he met. He was known to take off his own rings, watches or necklaces and hand them to fans, friends and even complete strangers.

PAYING FOR FUNERALS

Elvis quietly covered funeral expenses for multiple fans and friends who couldn’t afford proper burials for their loved ones.

POOL PARTIES

Neighborhood kids used to hop the fence to get to his pool in the early days after he bought Graceland, his Memphis mansion. He saw it and let it go. He would just walk outside, wave to the kids and tell them to be careful.