After I made my first collection, it was natural to me to go back to Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll”; what everyone has in mind about him is the music: Elvis, the icon, the seven glories, etc. Yet behind the scenes were people who helped define his personal life and chart his course. One of these friends was a young woman named June Juanico, a name familiar to Elvis fans from his early years. As Elvis’s first serious girlfriend, June Juanico occupies a special role in his story, representing a simpler, more intimate time in the life of a global superstar.
We’ll walk through Junie’s life, covering some of the key moments that shaped her story; the trials she endured along the way, and her continuing bond to one of music’s greatest legends, and how that relationship shapes her legacy today. And by the end, you’ll find a newfound appreciation for this less known but interesting figure in Elvis’s life.
Personal Information | Details |
Name | June Juanico |
Date of Birth | 1938 |
Place of Birth | Biloxi, Mississippi |
Occupation | Former beauty queen, Elvis Presley’s girlfriend |
Known For | Being Elvis Presley’s first girlfriend approved by his mother |
Years Active | 1955 – Present |
Financial Information | Details |
Estimated Net Worth | $1 million to $5 million |
Source of Wealth | Various personal endeavors and public appearances |
Who is June Juanico?
Early Life
As a child, June Juanico grew up in the shore town of Biloxi, Mississippi. As a child in the 1940s and 1950s, June was a vivacious, extroverted young woman. She entered some beauty pageants, garnering attention for her looks and poise, and even attracted the eye of a young Elvis Presley.
Growing up in a small town, she learned the values of compassion and determination that would later define her work and her relationships. That formative time in her young life would be the prelude to all her subsequent adventures in life and love, including the one that would place her in rock-and-roll history.
Meeting Elvis Presley
Everything changed in June, 1955, when she met Elvis Presley, an icon that was just beginning to take shape, outside of one of his concerts. Elvis was newly on the cusp of stardom, his career building through regional tours and showstopping performances. Their encounter was serendipitous, fueled by mutual attraction and shared youthfulness. It wasn’t only Elvis’s charisma that grabbed June — his Southern charm and groundedness did too.
June, for Elvis, was refreshing from the wild worship he regularly received from fawning women. Their meeting launched a romance that would not only be formative for June but also provide insight into Elvis’s life before superstardom completely took over.
The Link with Elvis Presley
Timeline of Their Romance
Between 1955 and 1956, when Elvis’s star was rising at a meteoric rate, June and Elvis struck up the relationship. Their romance was unadorned and intimate, unlike the glitzy relationships Elvis would have later. They had more private time together, away from the prying eyes of the press.
Their memorable outings ranged from dates along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to attending local functions to listening to Elvis’s relatives’, who also frequented the local hangouts, talk about the singer over the dinner table. Here, June would talk about Elvis strumming his guitar in front of her — giving a glimpse of his softer, more intimate side.
But their romance would not last much longer than a year. It might have been short-lived but, it’s impact was etching on their lives.
Influence of Family
The approval of Elvis’s mother, Gladys Presley, was one important element that strengthened their relationship. Gladys supposedly doted on June and thought she was a positive influence on Elvis. This was important because Elvis had a close bond with his mother and often turned to her for advice.
But this relationship didn’t take place in a vacuum. The challenges of Elvis’s mounting fame and the pressures that accompanied it were more than the pair could overcome.
Challenges Faced
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’s manager, was one of the main barriers to their relationship. Parker, known for his tight control over Elvis’s career, saw June as a possible distraction. He advised Elvis to prioritize his career over his private life, which drove a wedge between the pair.
As their relationship came under media scrutiny, people started to turn to tabloids for answers. The added pressure was challenging in maintaining a normal relationship for Elvis, too, who was still attempting to navigate fame. Their romance eventually fizzled, but, as so often, they left an indelible mark on fans and historians alike.
June Juanico: Career and Life After Elvis
Post-Elvis Career
June led a relatively private life since her split from Elvis, especially when compared to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Although she did not pursue a career in entertainment, she was active in community projects and local events. Over the years she became a popular source for interviews and documentaries about Elvis, offering a rare insight into his youth.
June revealed her time with Elvis in her book, “Elvis in the Twilight of Memory,” published in the 1990’s. This book provided fans with an up-close look at their relationship, and was also another way to bring in income for June.
Personal Life
June finds love, marries, and has children while gradually carving out a life for herself that is not overshadowed by Elvis. Precise details of her personal life are kept relatively private, but she has occasionally shared bits of her experience, underscoring the need to value personal relationships above fame.
June Juanico’s Net Worth
Estimation of Net Worth
June Juanico’s estimated net worth in 2025 is $1 million and $5 million USD. Though rather modest by 21st-century celebrity standards, this is a sign of her ability to keep her finances steady over the years.
Sources of Income
June’s net worth comes from a few sources, including:
- Royalties from her book about Elvis, evergreen among fans.
- Interviews and documentaries, where she offers her unique perspective of Elvis’ life.
- Later life, she may have made any number of small business investments.
Comparison with Other Elvis Girlfriends
Compared to other women romantically linked to Elvis, June isn’t as wealthy, of course. For instance:
Name | Estimated Net Worth | Career Highlights |
June Juanico | $1M – $5M | Author, Community Figure |
Priscilla Presley | $50M | Actress, Businesswoman, Ex-Wife of Elvis |
This contrast illustrates the diverging trajectories of the women in Elvis’s orbit and helps explain the consequences of their career and life decisions on their finances.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Influence on Pop Culture
June Juanico’s relationship with Elvis has been mentioned in books, documentaries and even pop culture retrospectives. Her account offers a more personal picture of Elvis, giving fans a look into the man behind the icon.
Books and Interviews
Her book, “Elvis in the Twilight of Memory,” is the best except for mine to understand about Elvis early. It acts as a tender tribute to their relationship and a bittersweet testament to the difficulties of dating someone on the verge of fame.
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