Mother’s Star of David headstone revives talk of Elvis’s Jewish roots

60 years after her death, a new exhibition showcases the headstone of Elvis Presley’s mother, Gladys, featuring both the Jewish symbol and a cross, designed by Elvis himself

THE LARGE CRATE sat unopened in a 20,000-square-foot warehouse here for more than four decades, concealing a little-known fact about one of America’s cultural icons.

Inside was the headstone of Elvis Presley’s mother, Gladys, which had been stored in the Graceland archives along with 1.5 million other items since 1977. And on the upper left side of the long-unseen marker — designed by Elvis himself — is a Star of David.

The headstone, which was taken from storage only in 2018, is now on display at the sprawling complex in Memphis where Elvis lived from 1957 until his untimely death 20 years later at the age of 42.

Stories of Elvis’s Jewish heritage have long been in circulation, but when it comes to a legend like Presley, it’s not always easy to separate fact from fiction. With the headstone now on public display and an accompanying sign proclaiming “Gladys’ Jewish heritage,” the “Jewish roots” of the King of Rock and Roll are a talking point again.

Angie Marchese, Graceland’s vice president of archives and exhibits, is certain of Elvis’s Jewish ancestry.

FULL STORY Display of mother’s Star of David headstone revives talk of Elvis’s Jewish roots (Times of Israel)

Photo: Gladys Presley’s grave marker, now on display at Graceland. It was designed by her famous son to honour the family’s Jewish heritage (Dan Fellner via JTA)