Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret shared a special connection throughout 1964. After meeting on the set of Viva Las Vegas, they spent almost every hour of every day with one another. Ann-Margret has since described her relationship with the King as an “unbridled force” that could not be stopped. But eventually, it did.
After just over a year of being together, Elvis’ long-term girlfriend, Priscilla Presley, found out about his secret relationship with Ann-Margret. Priscilla was obviously furious, and Elvis ended the tryst soon after. Before long, the pair cut off contact with one another.
But in December 1972 – just under four years before Elvis’ untimely death – Elvis and Ann-Margret were reunited one last time after her show.
Ann-Margret performed a regular residency slot in Las Vegas in the 1970s. Elvis attended one of these shows before going to a star-studded after-party at the Las Vegas Hilton, where they chatted about old times. But later that night, once the star was alone, Ann-Margret received a phone call in her bedroom. It was Elvis.
After seeing her for the first time in years he wanted to speak to her privately. Ann-Margret recalled the event in her memoir, My Story.
READ MORE: Elvis Presley Ann-Margret affair: ‘It was a force we couldn’t control’
Ann-Margret revealed: “He asked if he could see me. It was a question I’d anticipated since [that] afternoon but hoped that he wouldn’t really ask.”
The Swedish-American star’s trepidations likely came from the fact that she was married. She got hitched to American producer Roger Smith on May 8, 1967 – exactly one week after Elvis married Priscilla.
Ann-Margret finally responded: “You know I can’t.” Elvis then heartbreakingly opened up to the star.
Elvis told her he understood why he couldn’t see her, before adding: “I know, but I just want you to know that I still feel the same.”
The King’s comments about being lonely were likely made after his wife, Priscilla, had moved out of Graceland to a two-bedroom apartment earlier that year. Months later, on October 9, 1973, his divorce from Priscilla would be finalised.
On August 16, 1977, Elvis was found dead in Graceland.
