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Priscilla Presley, the American businesswoman and actress, recently opened up about her marriage to Elvis Presley, shedding light on the complexities of their relationship. Priscilla, who was just 20 when she married the “King of Rock and Roll” on May 1, 1967, described how Elvis’s infidelity affected their life together, despite her enduring love for him.
In an interview with Today, Priscilla revealed that while Elvis was unfaithful, he remained very special to her. The couple maintained a second home in Palm Springs, where Priscilla would often go while Elvis performed in Las Vegas. It was during these visits that she discovered letters from other women who met Elvis at the house on weekends. She explained how upsetting it was to read these letters, as it showed the “other life” he led. Still, she acknowledged that Elvis tried to be a good husband when he was home, saying, “Now, he would come home great and wonderful. He was still a good husband but it was just too many of us.”
Priscilla first met Elvis at 14, and the two dated for over seven years before marrying. Their relationship faced challenges, especially when Priscilla was seven months pregnant, and Elvis suggested a trial separation. Following the birth of their daughter, Lisa Marie, their marital difficulties intensified, with Elvis unable to share the bed with Priscilla and both engaging in affairs.
Ultimately, Priscilla left Elvis in 1972, with their divorce finalized in 1973. They prioritized their daughter’s well-being by sharing joint custody. Priscilla has made it clear that the divorce was not due to a lack of love—Elvis remained the love of her life—but because she needed to explore life independently:
“I did not divorce him because I didn’t love him. He was the love of my life, truly. If anything, I left because I needed to find out what the world was like.”
Her reflections highlight the bittersweet nature of their marriage—marked by deep love, personal challenges, and the pursuit of self-discovery.