Today is January 8 and it is the birthday of the King of Rock 'n Roll. As a side I was asked recently if Elvis was Jewish. After some digging I found this interesting tidbit of little known history.

Elvis Presley had Jewish ancestry through his maternal line, which is significant in Judaism because Jewish identity is traditionally passed down through the mother.

Elvis’s great-great-grandmother, Martha Tackett, was Jewish. Her daughter, Nancy Burdine (Elvis’s great-grandmother), also carried on the Jewish lineage. Nancy married into a Christian family, and over generations, the family identified as Christian. Elvis himself was raised in the Christian faith, specifically attending Assemblies of God churches.

Elvis was reportedly aware of his Jewish heritage. In fact, he wore a Star of David alongside a Christian cross later in life, saying he didn’t want to “miss out on heaven on a technicality.” This suggests he respected and embraced his diverse heritage in his own way.

After his mother died, Elvis ensured a Star of David was on her tombstone.