Introduction:
In a deeply moving and candid interview, Priscilla Presley, a figure synonymous with American royalty, has for the first time since the tragic passing of her daughter, Lisa Marie, earlier this year, spoken on camera. This poignant conversation, following the release of the film “Priscilla” which intimately chronicles her life, offered an unprecedented look into the immense grief and unique pressures that have defined her journey.
The interview, conducted from Beverly Hills, peeled back the layers of a life lived under an incessant global spotlight. Priscilla, known for her extraordinary marriage to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, shared the profound weight of her recent losses. “You know, I lost my mom, then I lost my grandson, and then I lost my daughter,” she revealed, her voice tinged with an understandable sorrow. She admitted to moments of feeling “almost suicidal” herself, a testament to the crushing cumulative impact of such immense personal tragedies.
A central theme of the discussion was the unparalleled scrutiny faced by “American royalty,” a term Baz Luhrmann, director of the movie “Elvis,” used to describe the Presleys, likening them to the Kennedys. Priscilla wholeheartedly agreed, explaining that being married to Elvis meant a constant battle for privacy. “You have to adapt to not really having your privacy, things getting out that you wish didn’t,” she explained, highlighting the constant need for vigilance in her words and actions, lest they be misinterpreted or exaggerated.
The recent film “Priscilla” brought renewed attention to her story, particularly her early relationship with Elvis, whom she met at 14 while he was 24. Addressing the contemporary perspective that might view this as “grooming,” Priscilla emphasized the different societal norms of the early 1960s. She clarified that their relationship, though unconventional by today’s standards, was founded on trust and emotional intimacy. Famously, their relationship was only consummated on their wedding night when she was 21, a detail she maintains is “the honest-to-God truth.”
Despite their divorce, Priscilla’s unwavering support for Elvis has been a constant throughout her life. “I miss him very much,” she confessed, her affection for him clearly undiminished by time or separation. She spoke of his innate kindness, his struggles with fame, and his profound sense of purpose. Her enduring love for him, even decades after his death, paints a picture of a deep, visceral connection that transcended their public personas. She also touched upon the complexities of Elvis’s life, including his frustrations with Hollywood and the Colonel, acknowledging his temper but emphasizing his humanity.
The interview also delved into the devastating loss of Lisa Marie, a moment that still brings tears to Priscilla’s eyes. She recounted the last hug she shared with her daughter just days before her passing, a moment forever etched in her memory. The pain of losing a child, compounded by Lisa Marie’s own grief over the loss of her son, Benjamin, who took his own life, was palpable.
Finally, Priscilla addressed the reported family dispute with her granddaughter, Riley Keough, following Lisa Marie’s death. She clarified that any discord was largely fueled by the press and that their relationship has “always been close.” Riley’s poignant statement about the “chaos” and need for “clarity” within the family, while affirming her grandmother’s dedication to protecting the Presley legacy, resonated deeply with Priscilla.
This candid conversation with Priscilla Presley offered a rare glimpse into the heart of a woman who has endured extraordinary highs and unimaginable lows, all while navigating the relentless glare of the world’s fascination with the King and his unofficial American royal family. Her story is one of enduring love, profound loss, and an unwavering commitment to a legacy that continues to captivate millions.