Hollywood is full of beautiful people from models to actresses, to simple hopefuls trying to break into the film industry. However, in every decade there is an ‘It’ girl that catches the eyes of Hollywood’s elite, and manages to make them fall head over heels in love with them. That woman was Linda Thompson. She was a simple country girl from Tennessee who managed to catch the eye of the King himself, Elvis Presley, Olympiad Caitlyn Jenner, and even the Grammy award-winning composer David Foster.
Keep scrolling to find out about Linda’s life with Elvis, Caitlyn, and David. The story of her life has to be one of the most interesting ones out there.
Linda’s Youth
Linda Diane Thompson was born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 23rd, 1950. She came from humble beginnings, with neither of her parents working well-paying jobs. As a child, Linda was beautiful, but as she grew older it quickly became apparent she had movie star looks.
This led to her short-lived run as a beauty pageant contestant. She quickly began winning crowns for competitions like “Miss Okra” and “Miss Tennessee USA.” Everyone around her knew she had star power, and it was only a matter of time before she would catch the eye of one of the biggest stars in music – Elvis Presley.
Devoted To Her Faith
As Linda grew up in the deep South, it was not unusual to be raised in the Southern Baptist faith. Both of her parents were Southern Baptists, and they believed that all of their children should share and practice this faith with them. Linda’s faith was important to her, which was one of the reasons she decided to go to college.
However, tuition isn’t cheap, not even back then and Linda needed money to cover it. That’s why she began competing in beauty pageants. The winnings from each pageant were enough to cover college, and they did not go against her faith.
Before Linda
Elvis Presley was a force to be reckoned with. He knew how to grab the attention of ladies, but there was only one other love in his life before Linda – his wife Priscilla. Priscilla and Elvis were married for six years before finally calling it quits. They had an unusual love story though.
When Priscilla was only 14 years old, Elvis met her at a party in Germany during his army career in 1959. He was 24, but claimed that it was love at first sight and it certainly seemed to be. By 1966, Priscilla had moved to the United States and the two married. Lisa Marie, their daughter came shortly after the marriage and the two appeared outwardly thrilled.
The Dark Side Of Dating A Rockstar
Being married to Elvis was not as easy as Priscilla had thought it would be. Elvis’ filming schedule and constant tours for his albums put a strain on their marriage. Priscilla had not realized what it would be like to be married to one of the most famous people on Earth. Elvis did not put his family first, instead his career was the most important thing in his life.
Over time, Priscilla began to realize this and the fact that Elvis had some substance abuse issues. Eventually, the marriage reached its conclusion and Priscilla asked him for a divorce. The divorce left Elvis free to meet the next love of his life.
Meeting Elvis
In 1972, one year before Elvis’ divorce with Priscilla would be finalized he met Linda Thompson. She was only 22-years-old, and fresh out of college. While she had been competing in beauty pageants, she had completed an undergraduate degree in drama and English at Memphis State University.
Everything was going well for Linda, but she had not met that special someone. Then Elvis entered her life, and everything changed for her.
A Suitable Man
Having grown-up in a strict Southern Baptist household, Linda did not necessarily think that Elvis was a suitable man for her. Elvis was constantly in the newspapers, and the stories that were written linked him to every leading lady in Hollywood.
However, something about her caught his eye, and it appeared that he had fallen in love once more. It seemed like it might be fate that had brought these two lovebirds together. But how did their love story truly begin?
Meeting Miss Tennessee
Elvis liked to hold big splashy events for all of his friends, and any local celebrities in the area. One evening, Elvis found himself in Memphis, Tennessee and decided to host a private movie showing at a local theater.
He had heard that the reigning Miss Tennessee was exceptionally beautiful, and decided to extend an invitation to his event to her. At the time, Miss Tennessee was Linda. As soon as Elvis saw her walk into the room, he knew what he needed to do.
Instantly Obsessed
When Elvis saw Linda enter the movie theater, he immediately offered her the seat next to him. Elvis gave her his signature look, and she knew that she had found her ‘one.’ Elvis felt similarly, and instead of watching the two films slated to air the two did something else.
Elvis kissed Linda right there in the darkened theater, and the two spent the next few hours in whispered conversation and a few more shared kisses.
The End Of The Evening
While Elvis and Priscilla were still finalizing the details of their divorce, he wanted Linda to know that they were officially separated. He knew that she was a nice Southern girl, and that he would need to be unattached if he was to pursue her.
Linda knew that she wanted to see Elvis again, and when he asked for her number she eagerly gave it to him. After what felt like a fairy tale evening, Linda began to worry she might never hear from Elvis again.
The Phone Call
Instead of waiting a few days to call Linda, Elvis called her as soon as she went home. It was 4:00AM when the call came in, and Linda had been fast asleep. Elvis didn’t want to just take her on a date, he wanted her to come to Graceland and meet his family.
Linda decided this was the logical next step, if they were going to have a meaningful relationship and immediately said she would go.
Going To Vegas
After a magical day with Elvis, his father, and his colleagues Linda headed home. However, Elvis wasn’t letting go of her that easily. He had his friend call her up, and then he got on the line.
Another invitation was extended, this time they would be leaving for Las Vegas that evening. Linda could not believe he was romancing her like this, and grabbed her toothbrush as she headed off to Vegas with the King of Rock and Roll.
Going On Tour
Linda liked the glitz and glamour that came with dating Elvis. He would shower her with designer clothing, and anything else she would want. At the beginning of their relationship, Elvis began touring for one of his many albums.
Instead of leaving Linda behind, he took her with him and showed her off to all of his friends, family, and fans. It seemed like he had finally found the woman of his dreams, but Linda had to be willing to put his career before hers.
The Rumors
For the first year of their four year relationship everything seemed to be going well. Elvis adored Linda, and provided her and her family with whatever they needed. Slowly though, rumors began to circulate, just as they had with Priscilla – Elvis was being unfaithful.
Linda tried to look past his many affairs, but it began to take a toll on their relationship. That’s when Elvis offered her something he thought she really wanted – a proposal.
A New Girl
While Linda tried to make their relationship work, both she and Elvis realized it was fizzling out. She no longer had any desire to marry him, and tie herself to him that way. Elvis even flew in a new girl from San Francisco and essentially told Linda about it, which made his proposal more insincere.
Enough was enough, and Linda like Priscilla knew it was time to part ways with the King. Linda did not end their relationship in person, instead she wrote him a letter detailing her feelings, and why she felt their relationship was over.
Bruce Jenner Enters The Picture
With Linda and Elvis’ relationship officially over, Linda was free to move on and meet someone new. She had seen Olympic decathlete Bruce Jenner compete, and found him extremely handsome. Upon receiving an invitation to the Playboy Mansion for a tennis tournament with celebrities playing in it, Linda opted to attend.
Little did she know, but Bruce Jenner would be at the mansion, and in the tournament itself. When she saw Bruce playing tennis, she knew that she wanted to meet the Olympiad.
The Meeting
That fateful tennis tournament in 1979 is where Linda and Bruce met. As soon as Bruce laid eyes on Linda, he knew that he wanted to date her. She had handed him a trophy as the winner of the tournament.
Bruce had opted to stay with her for the whole evening, not even bothering to change out of his tennis clothes. He didn’t want any other men to swoop in and steal her away from him. Linda was thrilled to meet a man who seemed to put her first. However, there was one thing about Bruce which she would not become aware of until much later.
Gender Dysphoria
Bruce Jenner had not been comfortable in his own body for quite some time. He did not feel that it reflected the gender he had assigned himself. This internal struggle would eventually shine through in his relationship with Linda, but it would not become an issue in their marriage for a number of years.
First, they needed to fall in love, get married, and start a family. Ultimately though, this would be something that Bruce needed to address.
Tying The Knot
Linda and Bruce quickly fell in love and decided to tie the knot in a Hawaiian wedding. Elvis had sung the song “Hawaiian Wedding Song” which Linda decided to walk down the aisle too. She and Elvis may not have worked out, but she still loved the song.
Bruce respected this, and was secure in the fact that Linda had chosen him. The next few years would be happy ones for Linda and Bruce. Those years of wedded bliss led to the birth of their song Brody and Brandon.
A Revelation
In 1983, after the birth of their second son Brody, Bruce decided to tell Linda about his gender dysphoria. She had thought Bruce might be having an affair, and that was why he was nervous about the discussion.
Instead, he wanted her to know that he loved her and their family, but he was not content with himself. He did not identify as a man, but rather a woman and it was time that Linda knew that.
A Big Decision
Ultimately, Linda loved Bruce and wanted whatever was best for him. He had given her two handsome sons which she would always be thankful for. But Bruce wanted to begin living his life as a woman, and Linda wanted to be married to a man.
Due to this, the pair decided to part ways, but continue to love and cherish the two boys they had created together. Bruce would have to find himself, and start living life as a woman years down the road.
Marrying Kris Jenner
After seeing Bruce dressed as Caitlyn, Linda knew that he needed to begin his transition and the two divorced. However, Bruce met Kris Kardashian and fell in love once more. Linda never told Kris what she knew, because that was Bruce’s secret to share.
Eventually Kris, and all of their children found out that Bruce identifies as Caitlyn. Everyone has supported his transition, and he is now Caitlyn Jenner publicly. Caitlyn is finally free.
A Third Love For Linda
Linda may have lost her second love, but that did not mean that there wasn’t another man waiting to meet her. David Foster had seen Linda at various events, and when she divorced Bruce he decided to meet her.
Once more Linda fell deeply in love, and this time it felt like it would last. David was a famous composer and songwriter, and Linda had often thought about dabbling in the songwriting business. After spending time writing together, the two knew it was time for another walk down the aisle.
Working Together
To the outside world, it seemed like both David and Linda had finally found their perfect match. The two collaborated on songs for Whitney Houston, Michael Buble, and many others.
Each song they penned became a smash hit, but there were things going on behind the doors that the world did not know about. While they were married from 1991 to 2005, not all of these years were happy ones for Linda.
Elvis Got In The Way
While Linda had only had one major relationship, and a marriage David was continuously jealous of her past partners. In regards to Elvis, he did not want to hear his name spoken within their household.
Linda could not understand why David felt so insecure about her past loves, she had made it clear that David was now her number one. Perhaps David felt that Elvis’s star power was greater than his own, which it certainly was.
Goodbye Bruce
After her divorce from Bruce Jenner, Linda rarely saw him. It was hard for their sons Brody and Brandon, but they found a new dad in David. However, it became clear that there may have been another reason that Bruce was not around that much.
David did not want him in the house, and was incredibly jealous whenever his name was mentioned as well. He needed to be the star of their marriage.
Coming Second
For decades Linda had put herself second. Her husbands and her sons had always come first, but with them grown-up she began to realize that she and David may not be the best match.
He always wanted to work, and because he made millions he didn’t think that Linda needed to focus on her career. She felt that she had a lot to contribute, and he was holding her back from reaching her full potential.
Another Divorce
After 14 years of marriage, David and Linda called it quits. That same year, Linda decided to write her autobiography detailing the ups and downs of dating and marrying famous men.
If you want to read the full book, it’s called Little Thing Called Life: From Elvis’s Graceland to Bruce Jenner’s Caitlyn & Songs in Between. She is now happily single, and living in Malibu with her dogs, and her sons closeby.
David Foster and Katherine McPhee
Linda’s ex-husband David did not waste any time, and began dating actress Katharine McPhee. The two tied the knot in 2019, and are now expecting a child together.
David met her before her audition for American Idol in which she performed the song, “I have nothing,” which Linda and David co-wrote. Hopefully, this match lasts for both of them.
Spending Quality Time Together
Since both Linda’s and Caitlyn’s divorces from their famous spouses, the two have spent more time together. Linda always knew that Bruce identified as Caitlyn and did her best to support him.
Now that she is finally living as her true self, Caitlyn has begun to spend more time with her sons, and his children from his previous marriages. The two shared a blended Thanksgiving recently.
Caitlyn Has Found Love
While her marriages with Kris Jenner and Linda did not work out, Caitlyn has found love once more with Sophia Hitchins. Sophia has also transitioned, and understands the road that Caitlyn has taken to get to where she is today.
Linda often spends time with the life partners, as they prefer to be known. Everyone is now living happily and healthily in their separate lives.