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Interview with Sally Hoedel author of the acclaimed “Destined to…” trilogy Interview conducted by Nigel Patterson, July 2026 EIN: Sally, while you are well known for your books about Elvis, I suspect many fans do not know much about you, the person. What is the short version of the Sally Hoedel story?
EIN: Sally, that is an impressive backstory! Your latest book, Destined to Give: The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley , completes your Elvis trilogy. How long did it take you to research and write Destined to Give? SH: This book took a little over four years. Destined to Die Young took about four years as well. I wrote that book in six months and Destined to Give in about three months. The research and figuring out the approach were where most of the time was invested. The writing goes quickly for me, but it’s months of long days and nights because once I start writing, I can’t stop until it’s finished. I wish I had a more relaxing approach for the creative output aspect of the work, but it seems to be the only way for my brain to crank it out. EIN: Were there any stumbling blocks along the way? SH: There were several personal and professional stumbling blocks along the way with Destined to Give. At one point, I didn’t want to write it simply because it started to feel dangerous being a public person in this community. I have met the best people because of Elvis, but success attracts some of the worst people, too. That was a lesson I had to learn the hard way. In the end, I simply could not abandon the research that I had accumulated for years. The project simply meant too much to me. I was also struggling along the way with how to share this side of Elvis. I did not want to write a laundry list of good deeds, which would have further dehumanized him. As I began explaining the behavior and reasons for his generosity, I realized that his generosity revealed equally as much as his health issues did in Destined to Die Young. His spending sprees or most generous moments were often tied to disappointments in his life or career. It was clear that when giving, especially to strangers, he was trying very hard to hold onto who he knew himself to be at his core. That was often challenged by fame, but he returned to it again and again. I believe it was the last place he felt he had control over his life…giving away so much of what he earned.
Elvis at a Col Parker arranged ceremony donating $50,000 to the Motion Picture Relief Fund.
Lastly, I had initially intended to anchor the book in the big charity stories that most people have heard about. However, I was disappointed to find that all of them were basically publicity stunts by the Colonel. Elvis had pure intentions with his involvement and people were helped by the philanthropic efforts, but the Colonel orchestrated them for the press or the image building. I found that rather gross since it exploited something really decent and intentional about Elvis. That’s when I realized I had to explain the roots and the evolution of the benevolent behavior itself. EIN: Sally, there have been other books about Elvis’ compassion for and gift giving to others. How does “Destined to Give’” differentiate itself from those releases? SH: I partially addressed that in the previous question. Some might expect this to be a feel-good book, and it is. However, it’s so much more than that. The generous nature of Elvis Presley was born out of poverty and hardship. He wanted to save his parents but did not stop there. He gave so much to so many. In the end, he gave too much because he couldn’t stop and take care of himself when he needed to, as so many were relying on him. His giving also created loyalty and trust issues. It’s a more complicated story than Elvis was a good person who gave to those in need.
Again, by thoroughly exploring a single layer of Elvis in this way, it reveals so much about the decisions he makes and why he makes them. When I was researching and writing Destined to Die Young, there were times when I couldn’t believe how the dots were all connecting. I felt that with this book, too. That has been a truly amazing part of writing this series. A friend of mine read Destined to Give early on and said, “I feel like I know Elvis so much better than I did before, and I feel a different kind of sadness for him, too.” That captures what makes this book different than the other ones on this topic. By exploring this phenomenal side of the human being, we see extraordinary actions but understanding the roots of the behavior and how the thread weaves throughout his lifetime, there is sadness in that. Fame alone made Elvis vulnerable. It was all a great deal to handle at such a young age. EIN: Was it always your intention to frame the story in the context of Elvis' life story rather than just discuss ? SH: Yes, there are reasons for that approach. I wrote Destined to Die Young in that same format and for the same reasons. First, I write these books so that the Elvis fan who is well-read learns something knew and walks away with knowledge and understanding for Elvis. I also write these books because I want them to reach people who know very little about Elvis. I hope they walk away from the books with a full picture of who he was as a human being. That was very important to me with Destined to Die Young. The health information changed the narrative that most people had been sold for decades. Destined to Give also required that approach because his generosity evolved over time. It’s a much more human and moving story to understand the struggles that went along with the behavior.
Elvis with his Memphis friend Gary Pepper
EIN: What are some of your favorite examples of Elvis’ compassion for, and gift giving, to others? SH: Fame limited Elvis in many ways. His manager limited his career. He was a frustrated artist for a good portion of those years. When he gives to strangers, usually in a moment of impulse, those are my favorite stories. Elvis genuinely wanted to help people, so when he was giving of his time and money, that is when he felt most like himself, and not like a superstar. When he gave his watch to a fan at the gate or stopped to help someone with car trouble on the side of the road, I love those stories. He remembered what it was like to struggle every single day, and it’s incredible to understand how much joy he got from eliminating those struggles for a stranger in both big and small ways. Those were really personal decisions for him. EIN: In "Destined to Give" you discuss how, in his final years, Elvis realized that he needed to have greater personal control of his life. Why do you think he didn’t make this realisation earlier? SH: When I spent a week interviewing Ron Strauss for Destined to Fly, the first two days he said repeatedly, “I knew I would never be a pilot.” Ron was kicked out of high school. He joined the Air Force underage and worked his way up from mechanic to flight engineer. Without an education, he knew he could never be a pilot in the military. Then after twelve years, he decided to leave the Air Force and pursue becoming a pilot. I asked him what changed after he spent two days telling me he knew he would never be a pilot. He said it came down to one thing, confidence. He simply didn’t have the confidence before to think he could do it. After watching pilots make mistakes that he never would have made, he knew he was every bit as good and every bit as qualified as the guys he flew with. It was a leap of faith that paid off for Ron. I would say something similar happened with Elvis. He was very young when fame hit. He didn’t know anything about being famous or really about his craft because his talent was so raw, pure and untainted. Elvis had no choice but to trust someone for that leadership. Unfortunately, the Colonel realized just how vulnerable and insecure Elvis was and took advantage of that. When you’re in unknown territory, suddenly making more money than you could have ever imagined and unaware that you’re being manipulated at such a level, it’s a very difficult cycle to break free from. Plus, Elvis did not want to risk failing, which translated to being poor again, especially as he became responsible for more and more people. For Elvis, I believe it was a combination of confidence, like it was for Ron, and fear. EIN: Elvis as a person and a career is incredibly multi-layered. His impact on the world continues to resonate nearly 50 years after his death. Can you, or how do you place his "humanitarianism", in why he still matters in 2026? SH: I think it’s a big part of why he still matters today. His generosity showed a very human side because he had known what it was like to go without. He was always aware that many still went without, and he tried to amend that in his own way. I think that resonated with the fans. They understood he cared. Elvis also epitomizes the American Dream. Not only did he rise from extreme poverty to achieve success, fame and wealth, but he decided to share all of those things, too. That’s remarkable. It resonated with fans then and still does today.
EIN: It has been a long journey for you writing three books about Elvis. What have been the highlights along the way and how are you feeling now the trilogy is complete? SH: I never expected all of this, so the entire experience has been a highlight. I believed so strongly in what I discovered while researching Destined to Die Young that I invested a great deal of time and money to get it out there. I also knew that it was possible, if not likely, that a dozen friends and family would be the only ones to ever read it. It truly didn’t matter at the time because my belief in the project was that strong. Then when it hit and resonated with people, that was amazing. It’s a true gift to have something to say and then to be heard. I will never take that for granted. I would add two other highlights. First, visiting Ron Strauss’ hometown in Iowa was such a neat experience. He showed me all the places I wrote about, and we shared the stage in a Q&A there. Second, I never expected to be a guest at a festival in England. The UK fans were very kind, even hosted a tea party for me and took the time to make gluten free sandwiches. It was so lovely. It also happened to be during the week after Queen Elizabeth died, and what an experience to be in London at that time. I stood there looking at the mounds of flowers outside Buckingham Palace and said out loud, “Thank you, Elvis.” Again, it was just a gift to be there. Destined to Give is a bookend to Destined to Die Young. I believe Elvis’ life was one of survival, not self-destruction. He survived extreme poverty, unprecedented fame and then dealt with some serious health struggles. Destined to Die Young covered the health struggles. Destined to Give covers the struggle with poverty and fame. Together, they are a complete picture of Elvis Presley the human being. I am very proud of these books and what they say on behalf of Elvis. He gave so much of himself during his lifetime, and I hope these books have brought some understanding of all that was good and decent about the man who culturally shifted the universe. I am so glad I decided to write this book and finish the series, both for myself and for Elvis. It all feels very complete and very full circle. EIN: Having submerged yourself in "things Elvis" for so long, what are the main things you learned about him during your journey - things that enhanced your understanding and/or appreciation of who he was or what he means? SH: For many, Elvis is God-like or superhuman or perfect. I think many people prefer the myths and want to enjoy Elvis in their own way. For me, he was a flawed human being, as we all are, who did something incredible and unexpected. He reached a level of success and fame that were both difficult to deal with, but he tried. There is so much beauty found in exploring his struggles because they make him human. I believe Elvis was a good guy. If he had not become famous, he would have been a community or church leader who took care of his family. Fame made it difficult for him to stay the course at times, but again the struggle reveals his humanity. He was forced to live in an alternate universe of his own making. It was dysfunctional at times, but he did the best he could. It was difficult being Elvis Presley, but Elvis Presley handled it beautifully most of the time. He did so with incredibly generous intentions rooted in very real care and concern for his fellow man.
EIN: Do you have a favorite book in your Elvis trilogy? SH: Destined to Give is my favorite book. This book is bold. It’s not afraid to look at the negative and positive aspects of something as decent as generosity. Fame taints everything over time. Of course, Elvis had a Judas or two in his story. That was inevitable. This book addresses that, and we shouldn’t be afraid to identify those people, as well. I admire how he chose generosity as his place of empowerment. He felt so out of control of most things that were happening to him, but he chose something so unselfish and caring to really root himself in. He was under no obligation to even share with family and friends, let alone strangers. He made that choice time and again. I believe this book captures Elvis in the fullest way possible. I hope readers will bring an open mind and see where it takes them. EIN: Is 'Elvis Destined to Give' “definitely” your last "Elvis" book? SH: Yes, it is my last Elvis book. It completes the Destined Series. Like I said, this is the perfect bookend to what Destined to Die Young started. These books capture Elvis in such a uniquely human way. I am proud to close this chapter of my life and writing career with Destined to Give. I care about Elvis. I care tremendously about his history and his place in history. All of my books were written with that level of care, but especially this last one. EIN: Sally, is there anything else you would like to say to EIN readers? SH: It’s very difficult to sum up what Elvis means to me today. In many ways, he taught me to stand up for myself because I know how much it hurt him personally and creatively when he did not stand up for himself. In wanting to give him more of a voice, he gave me one as well. That’s pretty special. If I had to choose one word to describe the presence of Elvis in my life all these years, it would be “grateful”. I’m grateful for all the friendship, experience and love Elvis has brought into my life. I’m also grateful for the loyal readers who have supported every project. It really does mean the world to me. Thank you!!
Obtaining a copy of “Destined to Give: The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley” Physical copies of “Destined to Give” are only available from the author (all copies are personally signed by Sally Hoedel) contact sally@elvisauthor.com Physical copies of “Destined to Die Young” and “Destined to Fly” are also available directly from the author. Kindle and Audiobook editions of “Destined to Give” will be available on Amazon soon. Visit the author’s website to order 'Destined To Give' - 'Elvis Author' Click to comment on this Interview
Read EIN’s reviews of the three books in Ms Hoedel’s “Destined to” series: Destined to Give: The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley Destined to Die Young - - - - - Destined to Fly: The Story of Ron Strauss Interview by Nigel Patterson.
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