HEARTFELT REVEAL: Priscilla Presley Opens Up About Life With Elvis, Losing Her Daughter, and Writing Her Memoir
Few figures in popular culture have lived a life as fascinating, complex, and deeply emotional as Priscilla Presley. Once known primarily as the wife of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, she has since built her own legacy — as an actress, businesswoman, mother, and protector of one of the most enduring names in music history. Now, with the release of her intimate memoir Softly As I Leave You, Priscilla opens her heart about love, loss, and the lessons that have shaped her remarkable journey.
At 78 years old, Priscilla writes and speaks with the clarity of a woman who has seen both the brightest heights of fame and the deepest valleys of grief. Her story begins in the 1950s, when as a teenager living in Germany she met a young, magnetic soldier named Elvis Presley. Their connection was immediate — tender yet complicated by the intense glare of fame that surrounded him.
“Elvis was my first love,” she reflects. “He opened my world to music, creativity, and emotion. But being part of his life meant growing up fast — sometimes faster than I was ready for.”
Their marriage in 1967 became one of the most talked-about unions of the 20th century. Together, they welcomed their daughter Lisa Marie Presley, who would later become a singer and mother herself. But behind the fairytale image, Priscilla writes candidly about the challenges — Elvis’s demanding schedule, the pressures of his fame, and her own struggle to find independence in his shadow. “It was never easy being Mrs. Presley,” she admits, “but it taught me strength I never knew I had.”
Even after their separation in 1973, Priscilla and Elvis remained close until his death in 1977. She has since devoted much of her life to preserving his legacy — helping to transform Graceland into one of the most visited homes in America and ensuring that his story continues to inspire generations.
But nothing could prepare her for the heartbreak of 2023, when her daughter Lisa Marie Presley passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54. In her memoir, Priscilla writes openly about that loss — a grief so profound that it reshaped her understanding of love and faith. “Losing Lisa was like losing a part of myself,” she writes. “She was my heart, my purpose, and my greatest teacher.”
Yet even in sorrow, Priscilla’s tone remains hopeful. She speaks of finding comfort in family, in faith, and in the joy of her grandchildren. She also expresses gratitude for the fans who have stood by the Presley family through every triumph and tragedy. “I’ve learned that the only way to survive loss is to keep giving love — even when your heart feels empty,” she says.
Through Softly As I Leave You, Priscilla Presley invites readers to see beyond the myth and meet the woman behind it: strong, reflective, and deeply human. Her story is not just about fame or heartbreak — it’s about endurance, reinvention, and the quiet grace of a woman who continues to stand tall in the shadow of history.
In sharing her truth, Priscilla Presley reminds us that love — even when it ends — leaves behind something eternal.