Priscilla Presley is a woman of many talents and achievements. She is best known as the ex-wife of the late rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, but she is also an actress, a businesswoman, a philanthropist, and a co-founder of Elvis Presley Enterprises. In this article, we will explore her fascinating life story, from her childhood in Germany to her marriage to Elvis, from her acting career to her involvement in Graceland, and from her personal struggles to her charitable endeavors.
A Military Brat in Germany
Priscilla Ann Wagner was born on May 24, 1945, in New York City, to a young mother named Ann and a US Navy pilot named James Wagner, who died in a plane crash when Priscilla was six months old Her mother remarried to a US Air Force officer named Paul Beaulieu, who adopted Priscilla and raised her as his own daughter. Priscilla had four half-siblings: Donald, Michelle, Jeffrey, and twins Thomas and Timothy
Priscilla’s family moved frequently due to her stepfather’s military career, living in Connecticut, New Mexico, Maine, and Texas. In 1956, they settled in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where Priscilla attended an American school2 She described herself as “a shy, pretty, little girl, unhappily accustomed to moving from base to base every two or three years”
Meeting Elvis Presley
In 1959, Priscilla met Elvis Presley, who was serving in the US Army and stationed in Friedberg, near Wiesbaden. She was only 14 years old, while he was 24. They were introduced by a mutual friend, Currie Grant, who was also an Air Force officer
Elvis was immediately smitten by Priscilla’s beauty and innocence. He invited her to his home, where he played records, sang songs, and kissed her. He also gave her his phone number and asked her to call him. Priscilla was equally attracted to Elvis, who was handsome, charming, and famous. She said, “He wasn’t bad to look at. Everyone had a crush on him.”
Priscilla’s parents were initially reluctant to let their teenage daughter date a rock star, but they eventually gave their permission, as long as Elvis respected her and they were always chaperoned. Elvis and Priscilla began a long-distance relationship, exchanging letters and phone calls, and seeing each other whenever he had a leave
Elvis returned to the US in 1960, after completing his military service. He invited Priscilla to visit him in Hollywood, where he resumed his film career. Priscilla flew to Los Angeles in 1962, accompanied by her father, who met with Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. They agreed that Priscilla could move to America to live with Elvis, as long as she finished high school and her father could visit her regularly
Priscilla moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis lived in his famous mansion, Graceland. She enrolled in a Catholic girls’ school, where she graduated in 1963. She also took acting, dancing, and karate lessons, and changed her appearance to please Elvis, who preferred her to have dark hair, heavy makeup, and tight clothes
Becoming Mrs. Presley
Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship was not without problems. Elvis was often away for long periods, filming movies or touring. He also had affairs with other women, such as his co-stars Ann-Margret and Nancy Sinatra. Priscilla felt lonely, insecure, and jealous. She said, “My life was his life. He had to be happy. My problems were secondary. I want to grow. I want to do things.”
Priscilla also wanted to marry Elvis and have children with him, but he was reluctant to settle down. He feared that marriage would ruin his image and hurt his career. He also had a complex relationship with his mother, Gladys, who died in 1958, and whom he idolized and idealized. He saw Priscilla as a replacement for his mother, and wanted to preserve her purity and innocence. He said, “I don’t want to marry you and find out you’re not a virgin.”
However, after seven years of dating, Elvis finally proposed to Priscilla on Christmas Eve, 1966, with a three-and-a-half carat diamond ring. He said, “There’s something I’ve got to ask you. I don’t know if it will make you happy or not, but I want you to be my wife.” Priscilla was overjoyed and accepted
Elvis and Priscilla were married on May 1, 1967, in a private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. They wore matching white outfits and exchanged vows in front of a small group of family and friends. They then flew to Palm Springs, California, for their honeymoon
On February 1, 1968, Priscilla gave birth to their only child, a daughter named Lisa Marie Presley. Elvis was ecstatic and proud to be a father. He said, “She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She’s got my eyes, my mouth, and my nose.”
Divorcing Elvis Presley
Elvis and Priscilla’s marriage soon deteriorated, as they grew apart and faced various challenges. Elvis’s career was in decline, as his movies flopped and his music became outdated. He also developed a drug addiction, which affected his health and behavior. He became paranoid, depressed, and violent. He also continued to cheat on Priscilla, who felt neglected and unhappy. She said, “I did not divorce him because I didn’t love him ― he was the love of my life, truly. If anything, I left because I needed to find out what the world was like.”
Priscilla also had an affair with her karate instructor, Mike Stone, whom she met in 1971. She said, “He made me feel alive again. He made me feel like a woman.” She asked Elvis for a divorce, which he initially refused, but eventually agreed. They finalized their divorce on October 9, 1973, in Santa Monica, California. They remained friends and shared custody of Lisa Marie. Elvis gave Priscilla a $725,000 settlement, plus $4,200 a month in alimony and $6,000 a month in child support
Elvis died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, from a heart attack caused by drug overdose. Priscilla was devastated and mourned his death. She said, “I truly cherish the great times. As you grow up, there are always fears and insecurities. But as you get older you understand it all.”
Pursuing an Acting Career
After her divorce from Elvis, Priscilla pursued an acting career, which she had always dreamed of. She made her debut in 1983, playing a brothel madam in the TV movie Love Is Forever, opposite Michael Landon. She then starred in the Naked Gun film trilogy, playing Jane Spencer, the love interest of Leslie Nielsen’s character, Frank Drebin. She also appeared in other films, such as The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, The Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult, and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Priscilla’s most notable role was on the long-running TV series Dallas, where she played Jenna Wade, the former girlfriend of Bobby Ewing, from 1983 to 1988. She received positive reviews and a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for her performance. She also guest-starred on other TV shows, such as Melrose Place, Spin City, and Touched by an Angel
Saving Graceland
In 1979, Priscilla became the co-executor of Elvis’s estate, along with his father, Vernon Presley, and his accountant, Joe Hanks. She discovered that the estate was in debt, due to mismanagement, taxes, and lawsuits. She also learned that Graceland, Elvis’s beloved home, was costing $500,000 a year to maintain, and was in danger of being sold
Priscilla decided to take charge of the estate and save Graceland. She hired a team of experts, including Jack Soden, Jerry Schilling, and Marty Lacker, to help her. She also consulted with Elvis’s fans, who supported her efforts. She said, “I felt a connection there between me and the fans and me and Elvis. I did not want to let them down.”
Priscilla founded Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) in 1980, a company that manages and licenses Elvis’s name, image, and music. She also opened Graceland to the public in 1982, as a museum and a tourist attraction. She said, “It was a good life. It was different, but it was ours.”
Priscilla’s vision and leadership turned the estate into a profitable and successful business, generating millions of dollars in revenue and attracting millions of visitors every year1 She also expanded the brand to include other ventures, such as Elvis Presley’s Memphis, a 200,000-square-foot entertainment complex, and The Guest House at Graceland, a 450-room hotel1 She also partnered with Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development company, to further develop and market Elvis’s legacy worldwide
Priscilla is widely credited for preserving and promoting Elvis’s cultural and musical heritage, as well as turning Graceland into a national historic landmark and a global icon. She said, “I feel a great responsibility. It’s not just a business. It’s a trust that I have with him and his fans.”
Finding Love Again
After her divorce from Elvis, Priscilla had several romantic relationships with other men. She dated Mike Stone, the karate instructor, until 1975. She then had a brief affair with Robert Kardashian, the father of Kim Kardashian, in 1976. She also dated photographer Terry O’Neill, hairdresser Elie Ezerzer, and lawyer Robert Shapiro
In 1984, Priscilla met Marco Garibaldi, an Italian screenwriter and producer, who became her long-term partner. They lived together in Beverly Hills, California, and had a son, Navarone Garibaldi, born on March 1, 1987. Priscilla and Marco were together for 22 years, until they split in 2006
In 2007, Priscilla started dating Nigel Lythgoe, a British television producer and judge on American Idol. They broke up in 2009. She then dated Barry Crocker, an Australian singer and actor, from 2010 to 2012. She also dated Richard Palmer, a restaurateur, from 2012 to 2014
In 2016, Priscilla was romantically linked to Sir Tom Jones, a Welsh singer and friend of Elvis. They denied the rumors and said they were just friends
Priscilla has never remarried since her divorce from Elvis. She said, “I don’t feel like I need to be married. I’ve been married. I know what it is. I don’t feel like I need to have a certificate to prove anything.”
Exploring Her Spiritual Side
Priscilla has always been interested in spirituality and self-improvement. She was raised as a Catholic, but she also explored other faiths and practices, such as Scientology, Buddhism, and meditation. She said, “I’m very eclectic. I don’t follow any one religion. I respect all religions. I like to take bits and pieces of different beliefs that make sense to me.”
In 1975, Priscilla joined the Church of Scientology, after being introduced to it by John Travolta, a fellow actor and Scientologist. She said, “It’s a study. It’s not a religion. It’s self-help. It’s tools that you use in life.” She became an active member of the church, donating money and attending courses and events. She also encouraged her daughter, Lisa Marie, to join the church
However, in 2014, Priscilla reportedly left Scientology, after being disillusioned by its controversial practices and policies. She said, “I’ve had enough. I’m done.” She also supported her daughter, who also left the church in 2016. She said, “I’m very proud of her. She’s done an amazing job.”
Giving Back to the Community
Priscilla has been involved in various charitable and humanitarian causes throughout her life. She has supported organizations such as the Dream Foundation, which grants wishes to terminally ill adults, the Humane Society, which advocates for animal welfare, and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, which fights against human trafficking
She has also been a spokesperson for the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, which helps find and protect missing and abused children. She said, “It’s a cause that’s very dear to my heart. I’ve seen the pain and suffering that these families go through. I want to do whatever I can to help.”
She has also been a patron of the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, which was established by EPE in 1984, to honor Elvis’s legacy of generosity and compassion. The foundation supports various projects and programs, such as the Elvis Presley Music Room, which provides music education and instruments to underprivileged children, and the Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides financial aid to students pursuing music and arts degrees
Priscilla has received several awards and honors for her philanthropic work, such as the Humanitarian Award from the World Literacy Crusade, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dream Foundation, and the Heart of Hollywood Award from the American Cinema Awards
Living a Fulfilling Life
Priscilla is now 78 years old, but she still looks youthful and radiant. She credits her good looks to a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and natural skincare products. She said, “I don’t believe in plastic surgery. I believe in taking care of yourself. I think beauty comes from within.”
She is also a proud grandmother of four grandchildren: Riley Keough, Benjamin Keough, Harper Lockwood, and Finley Lockwood, who are the children of Lisa Marie. She said, “They are my joy. They are my life. They are so much fun. They keep me young.”
She is also a happy and independent woman, who enjoys traveling, reading, gardening, and spending time with her friends and family. She said, “I’m very content. I have a great life. I have a lot of interests. I have a lot of passions. I’m always learning and growing.”
Priscilla has lived a remarkable life, full of love, loss, success, and challenges. She has been a rock star’s wife, an actress, a businesswoman, a philanthropist, and a mother. She has also been a loyal guardian of Elvis’s legacy, and a role model for millions of fans. She said, “I’m very grateful. I’ve had an amazing journey. I’ve had highs and lows, but I’ve always tried to make the best of it. I’ve always tried to be true to myself.”
Trivia
| Name | Priscilla Ann Presley |
| Age | 78 |
| Height | 5’4″ |
| Partner(s) | Elvis Presley (1967-1973), Marco Garibaldi (1984-2006) |
| Children | Lisa Marie Presley, Navarone Garibaldi |
| Education Level | High school graduate |
| Favorite Food | Italian cuisine |
| Net Worth | $150 million |
| Sex | Female |
| Religion | Eclectic |
| Siblings | Donald, Michelle, Jeffrey, Thomas, Timothy |
| Favorite TV Show | The Crown |
| Pet | A dog named Boz |
