Who’s Linda Thompson? The Woman Elvis, Caitlyn Jenner, And David Foster Loved
Linda Thompson once said, "I'm the kind of person who lives under the radar." As modest as that sounds, you can imagine it was tough trying to make that happen given her well-known dating history. Thompson walked red carpets often, called The King of Rock and Roll as well as The Best Athlete in the World her significant other, and that's only part of her story. After releasing a tell-all book about her life, new information surfaced that was only rumored before. Continue reading to find out what made Thompson so exceptional.
The Young Linda
Born to a low-income family in Memphis, Tennessee, Linda Thompson was raised with a Southern Baptist faith. The people around her noticed her beauty, and it wouldn't take long for high-profile celebrities to do the same.
She might've lived a simple life, but everyone couldn't help but see how stunning she was. She won homecoming queen in high school, but that would only be the beginning of all the crowns she would wear in her life...
Looks Paid For College
Thompson's looks were so sensational; she won Miss Liberty Bowl, Miss Tennessee, Miss Shelby County, and a few others that would end up helping her pay for schooling. After joining one beauty pageant, it all started to click.
Thompson would attend Memphis State University, where she double-majored in English and Drama. Growing up very modest, Thompson focused on her faith and traditional values. That wouldn't stop her from shining bright, though.
Hello There, Elvis
In 1972, Thompson not only won a few pageants, but it was also the year she met her first love. Due to living such a strict and faith-fueled life early on, Thompson didn't worry or have the time to fall in love in high school or college.
Her first lover was someone special. How many can say their early romantic interest was the King of anything? Elvis Presley and Thompson fell for each other, but Presley had deep feelings for someone else not long before meeting Thompson.
Seven Months Before Thompson...
While Thompson's first love was Elvis, the musician had loved someone else before her. He met Priscilla Presley when he was 24 and she was only 14, thus making their relationship highly unique.
The two practically had a love at first sight type of romance between them. One year after meeting, she would move to Graceland. Soon after, the two would have a baby girl together named Lisa Marie, and it all seemed like things were great.
Priscilla Knew Something Thompson Didn't...
It didn't take long for Priscilla to learn the dark side of fame after she began living with Elvis. He was always exhausted throughout the relationship because his career was his life.
The busy schedule and lack of sleep led him to start abusing substances. The King's way of living grew into something Priscilla couldn't handle, and she filed for a divorce. Thompson would understand Priscilla's despair, but not before falling in love herself.
Falling For A Sweet Southern Girl
It was no secret that Elvis was a lady's man. He had the reputation that a faith-driven girl had no business getting involved with romantically. Still, since Elvis was such a mega-star, it was hard for Linda Thompson to pass him up.
The whole situation enticed Thompson, and she became smitten. After all, he was The King of Rock and Roll, so who wouldn't at least give it a try? He had his eyes set on her, and it was only a matter of time until he made his move.
Thompson Gets An Invite
Thompson was only 22 when she met Elvis. One day, Elvis rented out a movie theater for a few of his friends to enjoy. After he heard Miss Tennessee was in town, he promptly sent her an invite.
They would end up sitting next to each other, and Elvis instantly knew he would have another shot at love. Would the romance last forever? In the moment, that was the last thing either of the two were thinking of.
They Didn't Watch The Movie
When you're clicking with someone new, it can be hard paying attention to the movie screen. Thompson and Elvis hardly knew one another, but the chemistry was there, and they kissed throughout the entire double-feature.
Shocked, Thompson couldn't believe what transpired. It felt surreal to her. It must have felt like she was in the movie herself. Nothing could've prepared Thompson for how that night unraveled, but it's safe to say not a soul would've been ready for that.
He Should've Married A Southern Girl
Elvis kept it classy when it came to making a move on women. Thompson revealed in an interview that Elvis pulled the classic "yawn and stretch" before putting his arm around her.
She assumed he was still committed to Priscilla, but at one point, he told her, "you know I'm not married anymore." Thompson responded with, "I didn't know that, and I'm sorry it didn't work out, but you should have married a southern girl." She gave Elvis her number at the end of the night, not expecting him to call her back.
Together In Graceland
Not long after arriving home from the movies, Thompson received a phone call. Her aunt answered and heard Elvis speaking, asking to talk to Thompson. He said it was an urgent call.
Elvis then told Thompson, "I just want you to know how happy I am that I met you. Can you come over tomorrow to Graceland and meet my father?" She didn't hesitate to accept this invitation. Once there, she met a few others as well. The pageant winner described that day as a dream.
It's Time For Vegas
Thompson would then go to Alabama for vacation, but she failed to leave Elvis a number to contact her. She only told him she'd be back and hoped to see him once again.
Upon her arrival, she got a call from Elvis, and he had a request. "You don't just disappear from my life, who do you think I am? I'm going to Vegas tonight, and I want you to come with me," he told Linda. He told her not to worry about luggage, just to bring a toothbrush.
Putting Her Life On Hold
This was when Elvis took priority in Thompson's life. She halted everything to be with The King. She had plans of modeling in New York, but her goals weren't on her mind with Elvis around.
He loved her so much and enjoyed showing her off. Elvis made the relationship public almost immediately. She followed him around everywhere and was madly in love with him. Over the next four years, they were a hot item, but would they ever marry?
Meet The Parents
Elvis was a generous man, especially with his loved ones. Thompson told Larry King in an interview: "Living with Elvis was like living with Santa Clause," because he would purchase her gifts all the time.
His generosity went beyond only material things. He would spend his precious time with good friends and those he had love for too. Elvis adored Thompson soo much and helped her in many ways. It was a match made in heaven.
They Were Always Together
Thompson stopped everything to be with Elvis, so she went with him everywhere. It could've been karate practice, tour, or rehearsal, and she was there. Thompson said that the first year of being together was a loyal one.
Sadly, rumors began spreading that he wasn't that faithful to Thompson. She attempted to block out all the negative noise and even forgave him after her own suspicions arose, but the pressure began to mount between the two.
Why They Didn't Get Married
At the start, Thompson felt she wanted to get married, but Elvis wasn't on the same page. As the years passed by, her desire to tie the knot faded away.
Starting her day at nine at night and ending it around two in the afternoon the next day wasn't her cup of tea. She imagined living a regular life. Thompson began to notice what Priscilla experienced, and it wasn't pretty. When Elvis finally got around to considering marriage, Thompson crossed that option off the list.
Helping Her Call It Off
The time came for the couple to call it off. They both felt the love failing, but neither wanted to do anything about it. The turning point was after Elvis flew in a different girl and asked if Thompson wanted to go home for a while.
She agreed and wrote him a letter detailing why she had to end things with him. She might've loved him, but she knew if she continued, it wouldn't be beneficial for herself.
Elvis Shares Thoughts On Thompson's Future Husband
Before the end of their relationship, Elvis and Thompson enjoyed the Olympics together. They saw Caitlyn Jenner cross the finish line, winning the gold medal in the decathlon. Who knew that would be such a critical moment?
In Thompson's book, she wrote, "Elvis remarked, "Damn if that guy is not handsome! I'm not gay, but [expletive], he's good-looking!" Soon after splitting with The King, the beautiful Thompson would go on to date and marry Jenner.
Caitlyn Jenner Arrives
When describing how it was when Thompson met Jenner, she says, "He was the classic jock." Jenner would always wear athletic attire and flip-flops. Many athletes do this, and she was no different.
Thompson became attracted to the athlete, saying that she loved his masculinity. She had no clue that underneath this tough exterior was an interior struggle with gender dysphoria. Things would quickly become interesting, as Thompson found herself in another whirlwind romance.
Meeting At The Playboy Mansion
Much like with Elvis, Thompson and Jenner hit it off quickly. They met in 1979 at a celebrity tennis tournament held at the Playboy Mansion. Jenner lived there for a while after breaking up with her first wife, Chrystie.
Linda received an invite to the awards ceremony where she would hand out trophies. Sure enough, Jenner ended up winning the tournament, and Thompson fell for the athlete, and Jenner fell in love with Thompson just as fast.
Jenner Didn't Want Miss Out On Thompson
After the two met, Jenner and Thompson spent the whole time talking. Jenner didn't want to leave her alone. She even stayed in her tennis clothes to ensure Thompson wouldn't leave her sights.
After telling her she didn't want others to have a chance, Jenner asked Thompson out to dinner, and she agreed. This turned into an exciting, new phase for Thompson after sticking around Elvis for all those years.
Back To Red Carpets
Once again, Thompson found herself on red carpets, but with Jenner this time. The limelight didn't want to leave Thompson alone, the difference now was she was a mother and a wife.
Finally, Thompson felt a sense of fulfillment. Today, she says it was "too good to be true." Hindsight would make her correct, but she had no way of seeing how things would play out with all the twists and turns.
Elvis Was There In Spirit
These two didn't waste any time and decided to tie the knot. It turned out to be a classic story of the jock marrying the homecoming queen. The wedding took place in Hawaii, where Thompson always wanted it to be.
As she walked down the aisle, she chose to do it to an Elvis song. Jenner didn't mind as it was Thompson's favorite song, so she understood that the decision didn't mean anything to Thompson. The happy couple would go on to have two sons, Brandon and Brody.
Brody And Brandon Jenner
Before their marriage, Jenner already had two kids, Caddandra and Burt. Thompson says she loves Caitlyn's children as her own and still keeps close with them today. Jenner and Thompson's sons Brody and Brandon grew up to be incredibly handsome men.
Now, Brody spends his time in Hollywood, while Brandon makes music. You might've caught Brody on the reality TV show, Laguna Beach and The Hills. Both of the sons inherited their parent's good looks and amazing personalities, which is beyond a blessing.
Thompson Learns The Truth
It took some time, but Jenner would eventually spill the beans. Seven months after the birth of their second child, Jenner told Thompson she had something to share. Still remembering the ways of Elvis, she thought he had an affair.
She braced herself for news like that but had no idea what to expect. That's when Jenner told her, "Its time you know the truth about me." The fantastic athlete revealed he identified as a woman and living as a male was miserable.
How Do You React To This News?
Not everyone receives news like this from their spouse. It's rare, so Thompson had shock written all over her face. She said after a few moments, her heart began aching for him.
The one she loved was in pain, and together they went to a gender dysphoria specialist. They found out Jenner's struggles would never go away. Thompson had to figure out if she would remain with him in his hardest days.
Jenner Kept It A Secret
Even though it was shocking news, Thompson was happy that Jenner didn't tell her until after having their sons. Thompson gets asked often if she wishes she knew about it before committing so many years of her life to him, but Thompson says she's thankful she was unaware for so long.
Thompson would've remained friends with Jenner, but wouldn't have married Jenner because she wanted to marry a cisgender male. If Jenner would've told earlier on, they would've never had kids.
Seeing Caitlyn For The First Time
Once Jenner told Thompson the truth, the two separated. One evening, she called Thompson and said, "It's time you come to see your husband." Her thoughts raced as she began to play with the idea of Jenner having a change of heart.
Upon arrival, it wasn't Bruce who answered the door, but Caitlyn. She had transitioned. Thompson told Larry King she fell to the floor due to all the shock. It was this moment that helped Thompson move on from the situation.
Caitlyn Began Hormone Therapy Before Meeting Kris
After finally ending things with Thompson, Jenner thought it was time to begin her transformation process. She started this by doing hormone therapy and having plastic surgery done to look more feminine.
Thompson decided to keep the secret from their boys. She planned to wait until the process became more evident before telling, but out of nowhere, Jenner put the whole thing on pause. She wanted to give being a male one last shot after meeting Kris Kardashian. Jenner fell in love with her. The two ended up having Kendall and Kylie Jenner, but she still didn't feel right.
On To David Foster
Not long after Jenner, Thompson met David Foster, the music producer. The two would bond over music and spend time in the studio together. They ended up getting married in 1991, and Thompson felt this time things would be better.
Well, she was wrong. The two ended up having different views with marriage, as Foster worked long hours so he could provide for both of them. Thompson wanted to work still and do things she was talented in as well. Thompson decided things were about to go down a similar path, so she ended the marriage in 2005.
Focusing On Her Career
Thompson is single, but that doesn't mean she isn't looking. She hopes to find someone low-key and not in the entertainment industry. She hasn't been in a relationship since 2005, so that gave her time to write her tell-all book, Little Thing Called Life: From Elvis's Graceland to Bruce Jenner's Caitlyn & Songs in Between.
These days, Thompson enjoys tennis, the beach, hiking, and, most importantly, her blended family. She's happier than ever before doing things solo.
