Elvis is known around the world for his music, his extravagant jumpsuits, and his acting style like no other man. However, something he is perhaps less well known for is his generosity towards others. He gave gifts ranging from Cadillacs to diamond-encrusted Rolexes. His gifts were given as a sign of his love for those around him, but were also often impromptu acts.
But it wasn’t just in his famous life that Elvis was generous. In fact, from an early age he was known to give away his new toys to children he felt were less fortunate than himself; what could be described as an unusually generous action for a child. This trait took hold, and from then on he gave many more gifts in his life, as he rose to a star of legendary proportions.
This may not have been apparent to his fans, as throughout his prolific career much of Elvis’ generosity was unknown to the general public. Behind closed doors, however, he supported everyone from friends and family to complete strangers. He paid people’s hospital bills, bought wheelchairs for those in need, and paid off others’ debts. He even paid for the weddings of two of his friends and contributed $30,000 to his homes. Apart from this, Elvis bought about 150 cars for his friends, who became known as the ‘Memphis Mafia’.
He was known for using his fame and popularity to host charity shows and events that would raise money for causes he was passionate about. When he returned to the US after serving in the military for two years, he organized a charity event in Hawaii that raised $65,000 for the Pearl Harbor Memorial for the USS Arizona. Before this, the fund was struggling, but after Elvis’s contribution, the memorial was able to open later that year.
Today, Elvis Presley’s philanthropic efforts are survived by the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation and the Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Memphis. Now, the memory of the King lives on through his music, personality and kindness. Even today there are numerous Elvis collectibles available to buy from online stores to treat his family and friends who want to treasure the memory of the King himself.
