Priscilla Presley Instrumental in Opening Graceland to Public After Elvis's Death
After Elvis Presley's death in 1977, the upkeep of his Memphis estate, Graceland, became a significant financial burden, with annual maintenance and tax costs exceeding $500,000. To address this challenge and preserve Elvis's legacy, Priscilla Presley and the estate's administrators made the decision to open Graceland to the public. The goal was to make the property accessible to visitors and generate revenue to support its maintenance and the preservation of Elvis's heritage. Graceland first opened its doors to the public on June 7, 1982, welcoming approximately 3,000 fans on its opening day. Since then, over 20 million people have visited the estate, which continues to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The upper floor of the mansion, however, including the bedroom where Elvis died, remains closed to tourists.
