Elvis's Coffin Photo: The Real Story & Untold Details!

Do you remember the image that shocked the world, the one that graced the cover of the National Enquirer on September 6, 1977? That image, the infamous "Elvis in the Box," was more than just a tabloid sensation; it was a pivotal moment in the history of celebrity, privacy, and the relentless pursuit of a story.

This isn't a retelling of the rumors, the wax dummies, or the conspiracy theories that swirled around the King's final moments. This is the real, often unsettling story behind that photograph, a story that involves family, ambition, and the lengths to which the press would go to capture a moment of unparalleled grief and public fascination. Elvis Presley's body, as the world knows, was put on display in an open casket for two days before his funeral, a public farewell that drew thousands to Graceland. The National Enquirer saw an opportunity, a scoop that would define their publication and etch itself into the annals of pop culture.

Full Name	Elvis Aaron Presley
Born	January 8, 1935, Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	August 16, 1977 (aged 42), Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Rock and roll, pop, country, gospel, blues
Occupations	Singer, musician, actor
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active	19531977
Spouse	Priscilla Presley (m. 19671973)
Children	Lisa Marie Presley
Associated acts	The Blue Moon Boys
Website	Elvis.com

The National Enquirer didn't just stumble upon this opportunity; they orchestrated a major operation. Reporters swarmed Memphis, Tennessee, anticipating the funeral procession and the public viewing. The atmosphere was charged, a mix of grief, awe, and the ever-present hunger for a glimpse of the fallen king. Fans, heartbroken and desperate for a final connection, lined the streets of Memphis, taking pictures of the passing hearse, the very embodiment of their loss. The pallbearers, moving with solemn purpose, carried the seamless copper coffin into the mausoleum at Graceland, a scene of profound sadness witnessed by thousands.

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But it was inside Graceland, during those final private moments, that the crucial element of the story was captured. Elvis's body lay in state, a stark and poignant image in the doorway of the music room. Family and close friends hovered nearby, their grief a palpable presence. The setting was intimate, filled with memories, and the quiet reverence of those who had known Elvis best. Yet, amidst the mourning, a decision was made, a deal struck that would forever change the narrative.

The Enquirer, it turned out, had a willing participant. A distant cousin of Elvis, a man named Billy Mann, was reportedly recruited to take the shot. The price? A reported $18,000. Armed with a high-tech, low-light mini camera of the time, Mann captured the image that would become the most infamous photo of Elvis Presley, the "Elvis in the Box". The National Enquirer, with its cover photo of Elviss corpse in an open coffin, did not hesitate to publish it. It ran on the cover on September 6, 1977, just weeks after the King's untimely death. This was the ultimate tabloid scoop.

The photograph, as might be expected, stirred a maelstrom of controversy. It was described as a "dastardly thing" for the Enquirer to do, a violation of privacy on a scale rarely seen before. The publication's ethics were called into question, and the actions of the cousin were scrutinized. The image itself, despite being viewed by millions, still holds a power to shock, reminding us of the fragility of life and the sometimes-merciless nature of celebrity.

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One can only imagine the scene: the hushed tones, the whispered negotiations, and the click of the camera, forever capturing a moment that should have been sacred. The picture was taken, and it was a cousin who sold it for $18,000 to the National Enquirer. The magazine plastered it on its front page.

The impact of the photo on the public consciousness cannot be overstated. The image of Elvis in his coffin, viewed by so many, became a symbol of the end of an era, a visual representation of the death of an icon. It was a moment of intense public scrutiny, a look at death in the same magazine that once featured the King in the height of his career.

The day of the funeral, August 18, 1977, was a day of mourning in Memphis, Tennessee. Thousands lined the streets to pay their final respects, and the image captured by Mann, and published by the Enquirer, became a focal point of their grief. The photograph, however controversial, cemented the King's image in the minds of those who followed him.

The photograph raises complex questions about the rights of the deceased, the ethics of the media, and the insatiable curiosity of the public. But more than that, its a window into a cultural moment, a reflection of a society captivated by fame and willing to go to extreme lengths to possess it, even in death. The photo is a reminder of Elvis Presley's final days and the last known photos of the King.

Elvis, Ginger, and Lisa Marie were seen driving through the Graceland gates on August 12, 1977, just days before his death. These photos now serve as a poignant reminder of the Kings last days, offering a glimpse into a life that was both extraordinary and, ultimately, tragically cut short.

The enduring fascination with Elvis, even after his death, underscores his lasting impact. His music continues to be played, his movies are still watched, and his legacy is secure. The "Elvis in the Box" photo, however, will forever be a part of that legacy, a testament to the man, the myth, and the unrelenting gaze of the media that helped define his life and death.

The story of the photograph is a story of ambition, opportunity, and the complex relationship between a celebrity and the world that both adores and scrutinizes them. It remains a defining moment, a reminder of the lengths to which the media, and those within it, will go to capture a story regardless of the cost.

The National Enquirer didn't just report the news; they made the news. The picture taken by Billy Mann, the cousin, remains a potent symbol of the excesses and the power of the tabloid media.