- Brenda Lee says Elvis Presley was humble, shy and down-to-earth.
- The two met early in their careers and remained close friends.
- Elvis gave Lee a rare necklace engraved with his initials.
- Lee says their bond was personal, not driven by fame or music.
H2: Brenda Lee opens up about her friendship with Elvis Presley
Brenda Lee spoke about her longtime friendship with Elvis Presley in a recent Woman’s World interview, sharing personal memories that paint a different picture of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. The “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” singer recalled that Elvis was shy, humble and deeply connected to his family — qualities that formed the basis of a lasting friendship.
Lee said the pair first met in 1957, when both artists were early in their careers. Despite Elvis’s exploding fame, she remembers him as unaware of his own star power and remarkably down-to-earth.
H3: A rare, meaningful gift
One detail Lee still treasures is a necklace Elvis gave her. She described it as a rare piece with his initials — a personal gift rather than a publicity gesture. For Lee, the necklace symbolizes the private nature of their relationship and the kindness Elvis showed to friends behind the scenes.
H3: Humility behind the legend
“He was very shy,” Lee said, adding that Elvis’s humility likely stemmed from his upbringing and the influence of his mother, Gladys. That modesty, she explained, helped keep their friendship grounded. The connection, Lee noted, wasn’t built on music business ties or public appearances but on genuine, human moments.
H2: Friendship beyond fame
Lee, who turned 81 on December 11, told Woman’s World that their friendship endured for years. “So we were really good friends until he passed away,” she said, underscoring that their bond lasted through the highs and lows of both careers.
The recollections add to the many personal stories that have shaped the public’s understanding of Elvis Presley — not only as an icon on stage but as a friend who could be quiet, shy and very caring in private.
H4: Why this matters
Stories like Lee’s give fans a fuller portrait of cultural figures. Celebrity narratives often focus on performance and spectacle; Lee’s account emphasizes personal character and small gestures that reveal who someone was offstage. Her memories of Elvis — including the rare necklace — highlight the ways friendships can persist amid fame.
H5: Where Lee shared the story
Lee’s reflections appeared in Woman’s World and were summarized in a Parade report covering the interview. Her comments join a long line of first‑hand accounts from artists and friends who knew Elvis personally.
For fans of Brenda Lee and Elvis Presley, her memories provide an intimate glimpse into a friendship that survived the pressures of celebrity and left behind a simple, cherished memento.
Image Referance: https://parade.com/news/brenda-lee-elvis-presley-friendship-rare-gift
