Anita Marie Wood Brewer

About

A singer, actress, performer, and recording artist, she would be most known for dating super-star Elvis Presley. They dated from 1957 until 1962, although things in their relationship were strained not long before he would return home from his posting in Germany during World War II. Elvis was drafted in 1958, so for most of their relationship, they were apart. She would see him return home in 1960, but while he was in Germany he met his future wife Priscilla Presley, then Priscilla Beaulieu, who was only 14 years old when she met Elvis. Elvis was torn between his young girlfriend and his even younger mistress, but Anita would make the final decision to leave him in 1962 after learning of the affair. 

Before Fame

Her parents always encouraged her to work as an entertainer because she was naturally talented with the ability to sing and dance. However, she would say in later interviews how all she wanted was "the normal life": to get married and have a family. She would famously give up a deal with Paramount Pictures to become an actress because Elvis asked her to come back home to Memphis. She did however have a record contract with ABC Paramount, where she would record vocals for various programs and variety shows. Later she would sign with Santo Records before marrying and retiring from the music business altogether.

Trivia

Industry nicknames she was also known by were Little Bitty or Little. 

Family Life

She married Cleveland Browns linebacker Johnny Brewer in 1964 and was with him until his death in 2011. Together they had a fraternal brother and sister set of twins and a younger son, as well. She resides in Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

Associated With

She co-hosted a Saturday morning dance program with Wink Martindale, and it was this show that would bring her to Elvis Presley's attention. He arranged for friends to have them meet and they would date for several years after that.