Elvis Presley proposed to his girlfriend just before he met Priscilla Presley
Elvis Presley was drafted into the United States Military in March 1958. The star had to put his music career on hold and move to Friedberg, Germany to go and be of service to his country. The singer and actor had already amassed quite a following at the time after already releasing five huge albums, and had starred in four Hollywood films. Before he left for Europe, Elvis was madly in love with his girlfriend Anita Wood.
Anita was in some ways a lot like Elvis. She was brought up in Memphis after moving there from a rural area of Tennessee and placed a lot of importance on family.
This aspect of Anita was shown by her strong relationship with Elvis’ mother, Gladys Presley. Gladys was quoted as saying she wanted the pair to get married.
Elvis maintained his relationship with Anita from 1957 to 1962. Throughout his time in Germany from 1958 to 1960, the star frequently sent her heartfelt love letters telling her about his time in Europe.
One of the letters the singer penned to his then-girlfriend – whom he affectionately nicknamed Little – included him promising to marry her when he returned from his service.
He wrote in 1958: “Also, I guarantee that when I marry, it will be to Miss Little Presley Wood.”
