To preserve the memory of their time together, Priscilla opened Graceland, their former home, to the public. She ensured that she could meet the financial obligations of the property while maintaining the place where they once lived as a family.
Elvis and Priscilla first met when she was just 14 and he was 24. Even though Priscilla was in love and rebellious, nothing and no one could stop her from being with the King of Rock and Roll. The girl’s parents were worried about their union. Elvis did not see their age difference as a problem as he saw it as an opportunity to make Priscilla the perfect wife. One thing would prevent them from having an ideal marriage.
Here at Bright Side, we decided to take a behind-the-scenes look at Elvis and Priscilla’s romance, and here’s how the story unfolded.
starting point
In 1959, Elvis and Priscilla met in Germany. While Priscilla’s family arrived in the country as a result of her father’s airlift, Elvis was sent there by the US Army, where he was serving at the time. Priscilla enthusiastically accepted an invitation from someone to visit Elvis at his house. Even though she said she was in ninth grade, the singer was drawn to her and played a few songs just for her.
I noticed that Elvis was trying to get my attention. I noticed he started singing specifically to me the less I responded to him. Priscilla recalls, “I couldn’t believe that Elvis Presley was trying to impress me.
Priscilla was sure their first date would be their last because she didn’t think Elvis would ever call her again. But he called her again. After a few days, Priscilla’s parents demanded that they both see their daughter’s crush in person. Priscilla recalls that her father adored the fact that Elvis came fully dressed in his uniform. After a long conversation between the two men, Priscilla’s parents decided to allow them to continue seeing each other because Elvis had won them over.
Priscilla was a young girl who attracted a lot of attention from the boys at school because she was so attractive. She recalls that a photo of her wearing a tight sweater was once pulled from the school bulletin board. Elvis and Priscilla were not supposed to appear in public due to their young age, but they continued to visit each other.
Elvis loved that Priscilla was young and inexperienced; he didn’t mind their age difference. He saw this as an opportunity to create an ideal bride for himself. He reportedly told a friend: “She’s young enough for me to train her how I want.”
Priscilla remembers Elvis telling her about his ideal lady and how he wanted her to be. He would describe his dream lady and tell me how well this image suited me in the evenings when he was in a calm and peaceful mind. He preferred brunettes with blue eyes who spoke quietly. He tried to mold me into his idealized self. He placed a high value on loyalty, especially from women.
Relationships and families
Elvis left Germany in 1960, but Priscilla and her family stayed. When he invited her to visit the United States, they met regularly. So it went on for a while until they finally got married. During those “suspended animation” years, Priscilla recalls waiting for Elvis’ rare phone calls and counting down the days until their next meeting. She also heard a lot of rumors about his relationships with other women, from neighbors to famous people.
The two were married in Las Vegas on May 1, 1967, after Elvis proposed in 1966. Elvis was under pressure to marry because he feared the controversy that might arise if he didn’t. He insisted on making his wife what he wanted. Priscilla, who subsequently referred to herself as “Elvis’ living doll”, changed her posture, dyed her hair black, and styled it to resemble the king. She also had porcelain caps put on her teeth.
Their daughter Lisa Marie was born to them on February 1, 1968. Priscilla believed that Elvis lost interest in her after she gave birth to the child. He continued to have relationships with other women, just as he had before their marriage, and Priscilla continued to discover love notes written to her husband. Over time, she came to the conclusion that she was not going to put up with it and wait for him to return home.
His life was also my life. He must have been pleased. My problems were secondary. I want to advance. In one of her interviews, she said: “I want to prove something. She was tired of being pressured to live up to her husband’s standards. She admits that she never put on makeup or dressed up in front of him because “he wanted to see the end result.”
The demise of the king and the divorce
Priscilla informed Elvis that she was divorcing him in 1972, and the two eventually separated and shared custody of their daughter. Elvis was addicted to prescription drugs and was experiencing financial problems as the single Priscilla grew up and tried to finally take control of her own life. After his marriage to Priscilla ended, he had many relationships before proposing to Ginger Alden.
However, their connection was not to be. Elvis Presley was found dead on August 16, 1977. He was 42. When Priscilla found out that Elvis had died, she was heartbroken and inconsolable. She thought Elvis would go to the hospital to hide from the press, spend some time alone, and then come back. “It shocked me. Just a million times more than the globe,” she said. Priscilla and Elvis remained close through their divorce and tumultuous marriage. She remembers how much she loved when he called her to talk to her about his problems. After her divorce, Priscilla began her career as an actress and entrepreneur. Despite a protracted relationship during which she gave birth to her son Navarone, she never remarried.
In order to pay taxes and bills without having to sell the Graceland home where she and Elvis raised their family, she opened the residence to tourists. After the White House, Graceland is now the second most visited home in the US. Priscilla attends a celebration of her ex-husband’s music, cherishes her memories of him, and continues to refer to him as “the love of her life”.
Priscilla remains committed to honoring Elvis’ legacy, attending events celebrating his music, and referring to him as the “love of her life.”
The story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley is one that traverses the complexities of age, love, and personal growth. While their relationship may have begun in unconventional circumstances, it evolved into a journey of self-discovery for Priscilla. Despite the challenges they faced and the eventual breakdown of their marriage, the bond between them endured and left an indelible mark on their lives.