Everyone adores the King of Rock, Elvis Presley, whose untamed talent, extraordinary charisma, and incredible entertainment skills blessed the world. His music remains timeless and continues to captivate audiences even today.
Even if you aren’t a fan of his music or were born after his reign at the top of the charts, it’s nearly impossible not to recognize Elvis as one of the most renowned individuals to ever walk the Earth.
However, not as many people are familiar with the story of his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley. Priscilla played a significant role as the other half of one of the world’s most famous relationships during her marriage to Elvis Presley. They lived together as a couple from 1967 to 1973 and had a daughter named Lisa Marie.
Born in Brooklyn in 1945, Priscilla Presley’s maternal grandfather hailed from Norway, while her grandmother had Scots-Irish and English ancestry.
At the tender age of 19, Priscilla’s mother, Ann, gave birth to her. Unfortunately, Priscilla’s biological father, James Wagner, who served as a pilot in the US Navy, tragically lost his life in a plane crash when Priscilla was only six months old—a devastating loss for their family.
A few years later, Priscilla’s mother met Paul Beaulieu, an Air Force officer who became a father figure in Priscilla’s life, filling the void left by her biological father. However, due to Paul’s military career, the family had to frequently relocate between different air bases in the United States.
Reflecting on this period in her life, Priscilla described herself as “a shy, pretty little girl, unhappily accustomed to moving from base to base every two or three years.”
As a young girl, Priscilla faced the challenge of making new friends, knowing that she would soon have to bid them farewell. Little did she know that one particular move would change her life forever.
In the mid-1950s, when Priscilla’s stepfather was transferred to West Germany, she was devastated by the news of moving to an unfamiliar place on the other side of the Atlantic. Little did she know that destiny had something remarkable in store for her—an encounter with none other than Elvis Presley.
Their paths crossed for the first time at a party in Bad Nauheim, Germany, where a 14-year-old Priscilla made an indelible impression on Elvis.
Two years later, Elvis invited her to spend the summer at his Los Angeles home. She returned to Graceland later that year to celebrate Christmas.
By the following spring, Elvis had convinced Priscilla’s family to allow her to move to the United States, settling in a house near Graceland. It wasn’t long before she became a permanent resident with Elvis.
On Christmas of 1966, they became engaged, and on May 1, 1967, they tied the knot in Las Vegas. The following year, they joyfully welcomed their daughter, Lisa Marie, into the world.
By 1968, Elvis’ attraction to Priscilla had significantly diminished after the birth of their daughter.
The singer openly discussed how he never wanted to marry Priscilla and reportedly told Lamar Fike that he “didn’t pull out in time.” When he suggested a “trial separation” to his wife, she was taken aback by the idea, as reported by the Daily Mail.
In her memoir, Priscilla revealed that Elvis had mentioned before their marriage that he had difficulties being intimate with a woman who had given birth. According to Vice, this seemed to be the case after the birth of their baby girl.
Elvis and Priscilla officially separated on February 23, 1972, but they remained close, even leaving the courthouse hand in hand on the day of their divorce.
“I divorced him even though I still loved him, but I needed to discover what the world was like. The greatest thing about our relationship is that we still loved each other,” Priscilla said.
Following the breakup with Elvis, Priscilla decided to focus on her own career as a businesswoman. She successfully opened a clothing store in Los Angeles that attracted many celebrities as customers.
She also played a crucial role in transforming Graceland, Elvis’ former residence, into a popular tourist attraction after his death. This endeavor proved to be a significant success both culturally and financially.
In the 1980s, Priscilla ventured into the television industry, making her debut as a co-host on “Those Amazing Animals.” She achieved notable recognition for her roles as Jane Spencer in the successful Naked Gun film series and as Jenna Wade in the long-running television series Dallas.
Priscilla is known for her involvement with the Church of Scientology, as well as her work as a model and singer/songwriter.
Family has always been a central aspect of Priscilla’s life. Her only biological child, Lisa Marie Presley, has blessed her with four grandchildren: Benjamin, Danielle, Finley, and Harper. Unfortunately, the family recently experienced a tragic loss when Benjamin took his own life.
Did you know that Priscilla also has a son named Navarone with businessman Marco Garibaldi? Although not her biological child, they share a strong bond. Marco Garibaldi was Priscilla’s second serious relationship, and they were together for two decades. Navarone is deeply passionate about music and earns a living as a rock artist with his band, “Them Guns.”
Like her father, Lisa Marie Presley is a musician who has maintained a prominent presence in the public eye. She has been married and divorced four times, garnering significant media attention for her marriages to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage. From her first marriage to musician Danny Keough, she had a daughter named Danielle Riley Keough, who has pursued a career as an actress and model, and a son named Benjamin.
During an interview on the British talk show “Lorraine,” Lisa Marie shared that memories of her father have been at the forefront of her mind, even after more than four decades since his passing.
Priscilla continues to honor Elvis’ legacy, despite the considerable time that has passed since his death. Graceland is one notable example, but she has also allowed several filmmakers to use Elvis’ former home as a location for movies.
At 74 years old, Priscilla has openly admitted to undergoing a series of surgeries to maintain her youthful appearance.
