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Memphis Mafia Princess: Living in the Elvis World, 10th Anniversary Edition
Memphis Mafia Princess was written by Shirley Dieu. Shirley was the girlfriend of Elvis's Road Manager and Best Friend "Joe Esposito's" Shirley lived with Joe for 6 years. She writes about the positive side of Elvis and how he and the Memphis Mafia. with their girlfriends and the wives, all vacationed and toured and played together. Shirley manages to bring the reader inside the walls of Graceland as she writes about all of the fun that they had at Elvis's home and while on tour, vacationing, or just hanging out. Foreward written by Joe Esposito, and testimonials by Joe Esposito, Sam Thompson, Dr, Nichopoulos and Miss Texas, Bellinda Myrick. This is a book that will answer so many of those unanswered questions about Elvis that you always wondered about. You are sure to laugh and at times even cry, as you relive what life was really like while "Living in the Elvis World"
- GenresMusicNonfiction
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 28, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars
I've read many Elvis biographies throughout the decades, but most recently went on an Elvis book tangent after visiting Graceland this past summer. I've had my eye on this particular memoir for awhile, and to my delight realized that it was available to borrow for Amazon Prime customers from the Kindle Owner's Lending Library.
Shirley Dieu had been on her own since the age of 16 and was 20 and working at a Las Vegas hotel when she ran into Joe Esposito, head guy in Elvis' "Memphis Mafia". She had managed to get into one of Elvis' concerts at the Las Vegas hotel, but after her fateful run-in with Joe Esposito, she found her seating maximized to a cushy booth where other "Memphis Mafia Princesses" were sitting. She soon began dating Joe exclusively and therefore went on all Elvis' concert tours as well as personal trips. Elvis often liked to visit Hawaii or California where he had another home. When you were part of Elvis' close circle, you travelled with him everywhere he went.
There really wasn't a lot of "dish" in this book. Shirley to this day is a loyal member of the "Memphis Mafia" circle, still friendly with Priscilla Presley and Joe Esposito. About the only new thing I learned was Shirley's revelation that Elvis' hands were the most striking and beautiful part of his body. But then again, I've read a lot of books about Elvis! The other thing that was further solidified and stressed that I've read in other books was that Ginger Alden, his final girlfriend and fiancee, was bad news. Shirley alleges that Ginger's mother pushed her daughter to leave her boyfriend for Elvis. While his last girlfriend Linda Thompson was there for Elvis in every way, on every tour, etc., Ginger didn't spend that much time at Graceland or on tour. The consensus inside the "Memphis Mafia" was that Elvis got engaged to Ginger when he was heavily medicated and was now stalling at deciding upon a wedding date. I've also read Ginger Alden's memoir, but I keep reading bad things about Ginger in other memoirs from Elvis' inner circle.
This was a fairly quick read and easy writing style. It was perfect for a bit of light reading. I would recommend this book to someone who has never read about Elvis, because I didn't glean much of anything new from having read a lot about him myself. All in all, I'm happy the way things worked out because it didn't cost me anything to read this and I got another perspective from yet another facet of Elvis' inner circle.
I've read many Elvis biographies throughout the decades, but most recently went on an Elvis book tangent after visiting Graceland this past summer. I've had my eye on this particular memoir for awhile, and to my delight realized that it was available to borrow for Amazon Prime customers from the Kindle Owner's Lending Library.
Shirley Dieu had been on her own since the age of 16 and was 20 and working at a Las Vegas hotel when she ran into Joe Esposito, head guy in Elvis' "Memphis Mafia". She had managed to get into one of Elvis' concerts at the Las Vegas hotel, but after her fateful run-in with Joe Esposito, she found her seating maximized to a cushy booth where other "Memphis Mafia Princesses" were sitting. She soon began dating Joe exclusively and therefore went on all Elvis' concert tours as well as personal trips. Elvis often liked to visit Hawaii or California where he had another home. When you were part of Elvis' close circle, you travelled with him everywhere he went.
There really wasn't a lot of "dish" in this book. Shirley to this day is a loyal member of the "Memphis Mafia" circle, still friendly with Priscilla Presley and Joe Esposito. About the only new thing I learned was Shirley's revelation that Elvis' hands were the most striking and beautiful part of his body. But then again, I've read a lot of books about Elvis! The other thing that was further solidified and stressed that I've read in other books was that Ginger Alden, his final girlfriend and fiancee, was bad news. Shirley alleges that Ginger's mother pushed her daughter to leave her boyfriend for Elvis. While his last girlfriend Linda Thompson was there for Elvis in every way, on every tour, etc., Ginger didn't spend that much time at Graceland or on tour. The consensus inside the "Memphis Mafia" was that Elvis got engaged to Ginger when he was heavily medicated and was now stalling at deciding upon a wedding date. I've also read Ginger Alden's memoir, but I keep reading bad things about Ginger in other memoirs from Elvis' inner circle.
This was a fairly quick read and easy writing style. It was perfect for a bit of light reading. I would recommend this book to someone who has never read about Elvis, because I didn't glean much of anything new from having read a lot about him myself. All in all, I'm happy the way things worked out because it didn't cost me anything to read this and I got another perspective from yet another facet of Elvis' inner circle.
July 8, 2017
Shirley Dieu Thank You
5 stars all the way. I was so happy to finally read something about Elvis by somebody who loved and cared for him. You can absolutely feel her love for him through her words and I am so happy she told her story. Very refreshing and I loved her book. Thank you Shirley
5 stars all the way. I was so happy to finally read something about Elvis by somebody who loved and cared for him. You can absolutely feel her love for him through her words and I am so happy she told her story. Very refreshing and I loved her book. Thank you Shirley
May 29, 2017
Elvis...
I'm kind of ambivalent about this book. I like some of his music, but I have never been an "ardent" Elvis fan. I was more into the British invasion...oh well.
Ms. Dieu writes a wholesome book. All sunshine joy and love. I realize Elvis was a good guy and there's a certain aura of sweetness about him. But there had to be bad days too. It's human nature.
Anyway, I appreciate that she shared her story with us. She has some awesome memories. Good deal...😉
I'm kind of ambivalent about this book. I like some of his music, but I have never been an "ardent" Elvis fan. I was more into the British invasion...oh well.
Ms. Dieu writes a wholesome book. All sunshine joy and love. I realize Elvis was a good guy and there's a certain aura of sweetness about him. But there had to be bad days too. It's human nature.
Anyway, I appreciate that she shared her story with us. She has some awesome memories. Good deal...😉
June 10, 2017
Kindest and most truthful book!
I loved the writing, the respect and class that the author projected throughout. Thank you for the stories and loving portray for and from Elvis.
I loved the writing, the respect and class that the author projected throughout. Thank you for the stories and loving portray for and from Elvis.
May 18, 2020
3.5/5
Easy light read, took me a day to finish. Found out some new things
Nice book
Easy light read, took me a day to finish. Found out some new things
Nice book
March 31, 2023
Shirley Dieu's book was like a ray of sunshine. One thing I felt reading about Shirley's life within the Elvis world was her love for Elvis and that she truly saw the human being and more importantly his generous soul. This was very refreshing to read and there were things that were shared here about Elvis and his life that I'd never heard before. Shirley was Joe Esposito's girlfriend and as such got to travel with Elvis as he toured and performed concerts between 1974-1977. She was fortunate enough to be one of the insiders and was on that last trip Elvis took to Hawaii. Many of you would recognise her from photos taken with Elvis on that trip. It was a heartwarming read. To have had the honour to be that close to Elvis and to be able to say that he was a friend is just priceless. What a lucky girl she is and I'm sure she cherishes those memories as is made clear from this book. Thanks to Ms Dieu for sharing those experiences with us, Elvis' fans. I think all Elvis fans will enjoy this book.
April 7, 2023
I enjoyed the book, but found it a bit too complimenting of living the life in Elvis' shadow and being one of the women traveling with the Memphis Mafia. She never mentions how Elvis became increasingly mean and out of control as his drug habits took over his life. She never mentions how many concerts he canceled, or how he went into the hospital numerous times during those last things "for exhaustion" but it was really a detox session. It was nice to read about how Elvis lavished gifts onto people, and how it made him so happy, but she just didn't write about any of his negative behaviors. Also, during his last years, he spent so much of his time in his bedrooms rather than out with his friends.
March 13, 2024
Suntracker
I have very mixed feelings about this book and as far as the mafia goes my perception is it was almost cult-like everyone was under Elvis's spell he didn't do right by any of his women in all actuality he had too much he gave it to all of the mafia all the time they worshiped him and they enabled him 100% with women drugs just his everyday life he lived a very strange life everything was according to him these people followed his every move and it really was strange.. I love his music but I don't think he was a saint by any means he paid people to hang around him to have fun to be with him at all times it just wasn't the real world.
I have very mixed feelings about this book and as far as the mafia goes my perception is it was almost cult-like everyone was under Elvis's spell he didn't do right by any of his women in all actuality he had too much he gave it to all of the mafia all the time they worshiped him and they enabled him 100% with women drugs just his everyday life he lived a very strange life everything was according to him these people followed his every move and it really was strange.. I love his music but I don't think he was a saint by any means he paid people to hang around him to have fun to be with him at all times it just wasn't the real world.
June 8, 2021
Such a Lovely Tribute to Elvis he would of loved this book these people were the most Genuine and bless Joe Esposito what a Loyal man and so sad that Shrley and Joe didn't spend the rest of their lives together but his partner Martha sounded like a Wonderful Lady but what a Lovely Friendship Shirley Joe and Martha all had know one can beat this Honest truthful book about Elvis and talk about bringing you into their world and feel like you were on the Journey of the last 3yrs of Elvis's Life it was Brilliant thoroughly enjoyed it Thankyou Shirley Dieu you did Elvis Proud
May 20, 2020
Sympathetically written
If you're looking for another "dig the dirt" book about Elvis this isn't the book for you. Shirley writes a lot about how kind and generous Elvis was and obviously cared very deeply for him. There is mention of the drugs but it's written in a sympathetic way rather than condemning Elvis. All in all a very enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in the man rather than the superstar.
If you're looking for another "dig the dirt" book about Elvis this isn't the book for you. Shirley writes a lot about how kind and generous Elvis was and obviously cared very deeply for him. There is mention of the drugs but it's written in a sympathetic way rather than condemning Elvis. All in all a very enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in the man rather than the superstar.
April 18, 2023
This was an interesting telling of Elvis’s final years. This was an interesting prospective - the girlfriend of Elvis’s road manager. Of course, she talks a lot about Elvis’s good deeds and generosity. I feel like there could have been more stories shared about her time with Elvis instead of focusing so much on her personal life. I also was shocked to see how she portrays ginger, compared to Ginger’s book and her telling of her time with Elvis.
January 10, 2023
Elvis
I loved this book for the way Shirley portrayed Elvis,not from a girlfriends point of view but a girl friend of one of the Memphis Mafia. She told her story beautifully and had me not wanting to put the book down ! I felt I had a sneak peek into part of Elvis' life ....... A must read for an Elvis fan !
I loved this book for the way Shirley portrayed Elvis,not from a girlfriends point of view but a girl friend of one of the Memphis Mafia. She told her story beautifully and had me not wanting to put the book down ! I felt I had a sneak peek into part of Elvis' life ....... A must read for an Elvis fan !
April 29, 2026
One of the most honest books about Elvis
This book was written by a woman who was around Elvis for years! She doesn’t sugarcoat anything but is very honest about life in Elvis’s circle!! She puts down the 4 so-called friends of Elvis who wrote a terrible book about him! I enjoyed reading her book!
This book was written by a woman who was around Elvis for years! She doesn’t sugarcoat anything but is very honest about life in Elvis’s circle!! She puts down the 4 so-called friends of Elvis who wrote a terrible book about him! I enjoyed reading her book!
February 3, 2020
Engaging and Honest
I enjoyed this book immensely as an honest story that portrayed Elvis as a kind and generous man. This is a quick read, less than a day, but down to earth reading...a great read!
I enjoyed this book immensely as an honest story that portrayed Elvis as a kind and generous man. This is a quick read, less than a day, but down to earth reading...a great read!
November 9, 2020
Interesting
Just reading books on Elvis that I haven't read. The book is good to learn some things inside the entourage. The evaluation on Priscilla, Linda and Ginger is well put. God bless Elvis, he is at Peace.
Just reading books on Elvis that I haven't read. The book is good to learn some things inside the entourage. The evaluation on Priscilla, Linda and Ginger is well put. God bless Elvis, he is at Peace.
July 6, 2022
Heartfelt account!
It is clear how much this author loved Elvis. She strikes me as a good, wholesome, compassionate person. I have read so many books about Elvis. I learned a great deal through this book that I didn't know before. Highly recommend!!!
It is clear how much this author loved Elvis. She strikes me as a good, wholesome, compassionate person. I have read so many books about Elvis. I learned a great deal through this book that I didn't know before. Highly recommend!!!
August 16, 2022
great
I enjoyed reading this book. I learned a few things about Elvis while reading this book. I was nice to read and not have someone trashing his memory. This was a well written book and an entertaining read.
I enjoyed reading this book. I learned a few things about Elvis while reading this book. I was nice to read and not have someone trashing his memory. This was a well written book and an entertaining read.
June 12, 2025
excellent book!!
I really enjoyed this honest and open book into Elvis’s life. I feel Shirley was very honest and forthcoming into the life of Elvis’s last years of life. If you love the KING this is a must have to your collection
I really enjoyed this honest and open book into Elvis’s life. I feel Shirley was very honest and forthcoming into the life of Elvis’s last years of life. If you love the KING this is a must have to your collection
August 22, 2018
Boring
Boring. You did nothing to receive the royalty treatment. I had to skip chapters because it seemed redundant. I do not recommend this book.
Boring. You did nothing to receive the royalty treatment. I had to skip chapters because it seemed redundant. I do not recommend this book.
October 22, 2018
I thought it was a very nice read. I think Shirley is an awesome lady.
It was nice to read positive things about Elvis.
It was nice to read positive things about Elvis.
April 1, 2019
Good read!
Very good and upbeat book about the life of Eli’s by someone who loved him and knew the real person that he was. I would recommend this book.
Very good and upbeat book about the life of Eli’s by someone who loved him and knew the real person that he was. I would recommend this book.
April 9, 2019
Life of a generous man
A more positive view of life with Elvis. I liked this book very much the author had a good approach to his story
A more positive view of life with Elvis. I liked this book very much the author had a good approach to his story
November 16, 2019
Fabulous
Honestly loved reading your book, the memories that you experienced and shared. Thank you for being honest and respectful to the life and memory of Elvis and his family.
Honestly loved reading your book, the memories that you experienced and shared. Thank you for being honest and respectful to the life and memory of Elvis and his family.
January 26, 2020
Tenuous link, quite poorly written
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews