On screen, Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret were sold as pure entertainment: a race car driver chasing victory and a fiery dancer stealing every scene. But beneath the glitter of old Las Vegas, they were living a love story neither of them was truly allowed to keep. He was already tied to Priscilla. She was suddenly so popular some theaters dared to bill her above the King himself. Rumors swirled that Elvis bristled at director George Sidney’s camera lingering on Ann-Margret’s curves, even as their playful duet “The Lady Loves Me” hid real longing behind every teasing line.
Viva Las Vegas became his highest-grossing film, yet it’s their off-screen choice that lingers longest. Elvis, torn between duty and desire, didn’t marry Ann-Margret—but never really let her go. Years later, she quietly stood at his funeral, the woman who knew the version of Elvis the cameras never did, saying goodbye to the love story history almost erased.