Family of San Antonio icon Hispanic Elvis speaks out on his condition, social media rumors
Hispanic Elvis, the celebrated San Antonio icon often seen mingling with Market Square strollers, is hospitalized. The San Antonio man, with an obvious penchant for Elvis-inspired threads, has been a local icon for years. Online fans were stunned to see a social media photo circulating over the weekend showing the man, who maintains his anonymity under his Hispanic Elvis moniker, laying on a sidewalk.
His family was hurt and revolted by the lack of privacy for their loved one, they tell MySA.
George Cisneros, the younger brother of Hispanic Elvis, says his family found out about his brother’s condition through social media. He says his 84-year-old sister nearly suffered a heart attack when she was shown the photo of her brother in an alarming state. The family has since worked to have the original photo removed, yet copies of the picture continue to circulate, as do rumors about the local legend’s health.
Cisneros says he doesn’t have much information to share, but confirms to MySA that his brother is hospitalized with an infection affecting his esophagus and is “very sick.” He says Hispanic Elvis, 76, also tested positive for COVID-19, but is not on a ventilator. There is some confusion as to when the photo was taken, but the family says Hispanic Elvis was admitted on Monday, January 10.
Doctors are running tests on his brother and Cisneros is waiting by the phone for updates from the hospital, he says.
“My brother is very private, he doesn’t like anyone to know anything and he’s always been that way,” he says, adding that Hispanic Elvis does not own a cellphone and only contacts the family through pay phones or borrowed phones.
Hispanic Elvis is largely beloved by the San Antonio community. In September, artist Colton Valentine dedicated a mural to him. It’s an unspoken San Antonio badge of honor to get a photo with him or witness one of his dance moves. Still, onlookers do have questions and pass judgement on the man only known by his flashy outfits and homemade guitar, Cisneros notes.
Muralist Colton Valentine dedicated wall space at 802 San Pedro Avenue to the San Antonio legend. Thanks to TikTok, the world was introduced to the San Antonio gem earlier this year, but he’s been a city exclusive for generations.
Courtesy, Colton Valentine
Cisneros says his brother is “living his dream.” He says he used to be a musician in the 1960s before working for an autobody shop and then taking on the Hispanic Elvis persona more than 20 years ago.
The brother says he usually only sees Hispanic Elvis when he finds him at Market Square. He shares that his brother lives in an assisted living facility and was generally healthy before this week.
“Some people don’t understand him because of what he does,” Cisneros adds. “My brother’s living his dream, even though it’s later in life, but he was always been a performer. He’s not out to hurt anyone.”
There is not a GoFundMe or any other online fundraisers to support Hispanic Elvis at this time.
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