Priscilla Presley

Introduction

Priscilla Presley is a celebrated actress, businesswoman, and cultural icon best known as the former wife of Elvis Presley and mother of Lisa Marie Presley. Her remarkable life journey, from a teenage romance with the King of Rock ’n’ Roll to managing his estate and forging her own career in acting and business, has made her a figure of enduring fascination. She remains active in preserving Elvis’s legacy while making her mark as a producer and public figure.

Key Information

Career

Priscilla Presley’s acting career began after her marriage to Elvis. She gained recognition for her role as Jenna Wade on the popular TV series Dallas in the 1980s, winning a Soap Opera Digest Award for her performance. She later starred in the comedic Naked Gun film series alongside Leslie Nielsen, solidifying her place in Hollywood.

Beyond acting, Priscilla became a savvy businesswoman. As executor of Elvis’s estate after his death in 1977, she transformed Graceland into a multimillion-dollar tourist destination and helped grow Elvis Presley Enterprises. She also ventured into fragrance and skincare lines and co-produced works related to Elvis’s life, including the 1988 TV movie Elvis and Me based on her memoir.

Personal Life

Priscilla Ann Wagner was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in a military family. Her biological father, a Navy pilot, died in a plane crash when she was just a baby. Her mother remarried Paul Beaulieu, an Air Force officer, and the family relocated frequently, eventually settling in Germany, where Priscilla met Elvis Presley at 14.

In 1967, Priscilla married Elvis in a highly publicized Las Vegas ceremony. Their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born the following year. Despite their divorce in 1973, the couple remained close, co-parenting Lisa Marie until Elvis’s death in 1977.

Priscilla later had a long-term relationship with Italian screenwriter Marco Garibaldi, with whom she had a son, Navarone Garibaldi Garcia, in 1987. Though the couple split in 2006, Priscilla’s family expanded with the birth of her grandchildren, including actress Riley Keough and twins Harper and Finley Lockwood.

Notable Achievements

• Elvis Presley Enterprises: Priscilla successfully preserved and expanded Elvis’s legacy by opening Graceland to the public in 1982, turning it into a world-famous attraction.
• Best-Selling Memoir: Her 1985 book Elvis and Me became a bestseller, offering an intimate look at her life with Elvis.
• Acting Milestones: Starred in Dallas and the Naked Gun series, earning accolades and widespread recognition.
• Business Ventures: Launched fragrances, skincare lines, and co-produced Elvis-related projects.
• Philanthropy: Remains actively involved in charitable events and causes related to music and heritage preservation.

Current Activities

In 2023, Priscilla Presley revisited her life story with the release of Priscilla, a Sofia Coppola-directed film based on her memoir. The movie received a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, with Priscilla serving as executive producer and praising the performances of Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi.

Following the death of her daughter Lisa Marie Presley in January 2023, Priscilla navigated a legal dispute over the management of Lisa Marie’s estate, which concluded in August 2023. As part of the settlement, she secured a special advisory role and a burial site at Graceland.

Priscilla continues to engage with fans and audiences, appearing at Graceland events and promoting her memoir’s cinematic adaptation. She remains a respected figure in preserving the legacy of Elvis Presley while maintaining her own successful career.

Legacy

Priscilla Presley has built an enduring legacy as a guardian of Elvis Presley’s heritage and a resilient figure in her own right. Her ability to adapt and thrive in the face of personal and professional challenges has made her a role model for generations, ensuring that her story—and Elvis’s—continues to resonate worldwide.