Introduction:
When conversations turn to Elvis Presley’s personal life, few topics stir as much debate as his relationship with Priscilla. For decades, her carefully crafted image has been one of innocence—a shy, quiet young woman swept up in the world of a superstar. Yet when one begins to examine the accounts of those who knew her, particularly through Suzanne Finstad’s controversial book Child Bride, a very different picture emerges. Central to this discussion is Priscilla’s relationship with karate instructor Mike Stone, which many argue confirms that the “child bride” narrative is more accurate than Priscilla’s own retellings.
According to Child Bride, Priscilla was not simply a passive figure discovered by chance. The book recounts testimony from Curry Grant, a man who claimed Priscilla actively sought out introductions to Elvis while still just fourteen years old. In his version of events, she pursued Grant relentlessly, even offering intimacy in exchange for guidance on how to attract Elvis. This portrayal, backed by a lie detector test at the time, directly challenges Priscilla’s own narrative—that she was an innocent teenager invited into Elvis’s orbit by others.
Fast forward a few years, and a similar pattern seems to repeat with Mike Stone. Stone, a respected karate instructor associated with Chuck Norris, recalls that it was Priscilla who initiated their relationship. While married to Elvis, Priscilla invited herself into Stone’s social circle, insisted on training at his studio despite the long commute, and phoned persistently until she gained his attention. Eventually, she pursued him into a full-fledged affair. By Stone’s own admission, he was drawn to her beauty and charm, but he makes it clear that Priscilla was the pursuer.
What makes this account striking is the broader context. Priscilla was not only married to Elvis at the time but was also fully aware that Stone himself was married, with a child on the way. Despite this, she persisted, even requesting to meet his wife while continuing the affair. For many, this behavior contradicts the long-standing public image of Priscilla as a quiet, reserved, and loyal partner. Instead, it paints her as calculating, determined, and willing to cross moral boundaries for personal desires.
Elvis, of course, was not blind to these affairs. His close circle, often referred to as the “Memphis Mafia,” witnessed Priscilla’s actions and reported them back. By the time her relationship with Stone became undeniable, she and Elvis were already leading largely separate lives. Still, the affair underscored the unraveling of their marriage and cemented suspicions that Priscilla had never been the innocent figure she portrayed.
Supporters of the Child Bride narrative argue that the Mike Stone affair is proof of a consistent pattern in Priscilla’s life: she pursued relationships strategically, often disregarding the commitments of others. Whether with Curry Grant in her teenage years or with Stone during her marriage to Elvis, her actions suggest that she was not the passive young girl history often describes, but a woman actively shaping her path—even if it came at the expense of others.
In the end, Priscilla Presley remains a polarizing figure. Admirers see her as stylish, resilient, and central to Elvis’s story, while critics argue she was manipulative, opportunistic, and ultimately destructive. The truth likely lies somewhere in between, but one thing is certain: the Mike Stone chapter of her life continues to fuel debate, lending weight to those who believe the Child Bride account was far closer to reality than fiction.