Elvis Presley’s Parents supported him in his journey to becoming a singer, and he would not be a star if it were not for his parents. Elvis Presley was a legendary figure in American music, but there is so much more to the story than his own life. 

Vernon Elvis Presley, Elvis’ father, was born on April 10th, 1916 in Fulton, Mississippi to Jesse and Minnie Mae Hood and originated from German, Scottish and English origins. 

Meanwhile, Gladys Love Smith, Elvis’ mother, was welcomed into the world on April 25th, 1912 by Bob and Doll Smith in Pontotoc County, Mississippi and had mixed Scots-Irish and French Norman descent. 

When Elvis was 13, his family moved from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis Tennessee where he began his musical career by recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips. 

This took shape as Rockabilly music – an exciting blend of country music, rhythm and blues and rock n’ roll all influenced by Elvis himself.

Who were elvis presley’s parents?

When he was only 17, Vernon fell in love with and wed Gladys Smith, the mother of Elvis. 

Since Vernon was a minor at the time and Gladys was four years older than him, they lied about our ages. The couple eloped and got married in 1933. 

Gladys soon became pregnant, and on January 8, 1935, she gave birth to Twins. Jesse and Elvis.

However, something tragic happened during the delivery. Jesse Garon Presley, the first boy, died during delivery. 

Vernon expressed his delight at the birth of his child in 1978. ‘My love for my son began even before he was born,’ he declared. 

‘Even though I was only 18 years old, I never doubted my ability to care for Gladys and the child throughout her pregnancy.’

According to the book Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley, Vernon had various part-time jobs to attempt to make ends meet. 

He was sentenced to eight months in prison in 1938 for forging a check. 

When Elvis started to succeed, Vernon assisted his son in guiding him. Elvis was given a contract offer from Sun Records when he was 20 years old, but Vernon did it instead because he was still too young to sign. 

Vernon was rumored to have taken care of Elvis’ business from Graceland, where their family had resided since Elvis was 21 years old. 

He assisted in managing his funds and went on tour with his son. Vernon even played an extra at one time in his son’s movie Live a Little, Love a little.

Just two years after the death of his son, Vernon Presley passed unexpectedly in June 1979 at the age of 63 from a heart attack. 

Vernon was chosen as Elvis’s estate executor following his passing. 

After Vernon passed away, Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ daughter, received his son’s fortune. She was only able to get the money after she turned 25.