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Priscilla Presley has accomplished a lot in her lifetime. From acting to writing multiple books, Priscilla certainly wears many hats. The actress first made a name for herself in 1959 when she met rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley at a party in Germany. According to Popsugar, Priscilla’s stepfather, an Air Force officer, was stationed there at the time. Despite their ten-year age gap, the two hit it off. « I’ll never forget it, » Priscilla told Closer Weekly in 2017 of their meet-cute.
The couple later tied the knot on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nev. and welcomed their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. From there, Priscilla went on to star in three The Naked Gun movies and landed a role on the popular drama series Dallas. After Elvis died in 1977, Priscilla was one of the executors on the Elvis Presley Estate and created Elvis Presley Enterprises, « which primarily included turning Graceland into a tourist attraction, » per Forbes.
However, Priscilla has dealt with her fair share of ups and downs over the years, including her rocky relationship with daughter, Lisa Marie. To make matters worse, Priscilla’s grandson, Benjamin Keogh, died by suicide in mid-July 2020, per TMZ. « [Lisa Marie] is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated, » Lisa’s manager, Roger Widynowski, told the outlet following the tragic news.
Despite the tragedies and losses, Priscilla has certainly had a fascinating life in Hollywood over the years. Keep reading to find out more.
Elvis Presley ‘was everything’ to Priscilla Presley
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Priscilla Presley and singer Elvis Presley tied the knot in May 1967 — eight years after the couple met for the first time at a party in Germany, according to Popsugar. The pair welcomed their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968, and soon enough, Elvis spoiled their little girl rotten. « Even when she lost a tooth, he gave her five bucks, » The Naked Gun star told Closer Weekly in 2017. »I said, ‘Look, you can’t give her five dollars!' » Elvis replied, « She’s Elvis Presley’s daughter! »
However, there was trouble in paradise for the duo since Elvis « would still go out at night, » she explained, adding, « Elvis kept up his lifestyle. » Even though Priscilla tried to ignore Elvis’ trysts with other women, she « did know that there was some finagling going on. » Priscilla filed for divorce in 1972, and it was finalized a year later.
In 1977, Elvis died after suffering from a heart attack due to his drug usage over the years, per Closer Weekly. « … It’s like the world stood still, » Priscilla recalled. « I just couldn’t believe my ears. Not him. » Despite their tumultuous relationship, Priscilla has nothing but love for the rock ‘n’ roll legend. « He was so much a part of my life in every way, » she said. « He was everything to me. My confidante, my husband, my everything. »
Priscilla Presley and her daughter Lisa Marie Presley ‘are now very close’
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Priscilla Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, has been put through the ringer over the years. Lisa Marie, who is the mother of four kids — Riley Keough, Benjamin Keough, and twins Finley and Harper Lockwood — struggled with opioid addiction, per People, and has dealt with financial problems, according to Forbes. As a result, Priscilla wanted her daughter to clean up her act, which caused friction between the two.
« My mom was really, really strict with me, » Lisa Marie said on The Talk in 2013. « Constrictive. I realized that is not going to work very well because it made us not get close for a very long time. » Luckily, the mother-daughter pair were able to reconcile and repair their relationship. « We are now very close, but when I was younger, it was, like, difficult to have a relationship with somebody that’s got you … around the neck all the time, » Lisa Marie divulged.
Priscilla took care of Lisa Marie’s twins following her divorce from Michael Lockwood in 2016 since there was an intense custody battle between the former flames, per People. « I can’t believe they are so smart [with technology], » Priscilla updated Us Weekly about the twin girls in 2019. »I mean, they can handle the phone better than I can, » she quipped. « They know how to Google already, they know how to draw things and characters, and oh, my gosh. They’re just little girls experiencing life and having fun. »
Priscilla Presley loves to spend time with her grandchildren
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Since Lisa Marie Presley’s twin daughters, Harper and Finley, lived with their grandma, Priscilla Presley, for quite some time, per ABC News, they were able to form a tight-knit bond. « It’s great, it’s absolutely great. I love it, I love it, » the author told Us Weekly in 2017. « Having twins is quite an experience, I have to say. Both of them are very different. Wonderful kids, wonderful children. »
Of course, Priscilla teaches her grandchildren all about their famous grandfather and her former husband, Elvis Presley. « I don’t know how much they can understand at 10 years old, » she told US Weekly. « I mean, they know, of course, who he is and they love his music. And they’re in awe when they see how many people come to the vigil and light candles at the [annual] candlelit vigil [at Graceland]. »
Priscilla noted that she doesn’t « force » her grandkids to listen to Elvis’ music, but if they hear a song by the rock ‘n’ roll star while they’re out and about, it makes them happy. « They, you know, they will look at each other and look at us with little smiles. So, they’re very respectful, » she added.
Clearly, Priscilla has her hands full, but it’s great to see she is keeping Elvis’ legacy alive through her grandchildren.
