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A girl could only imagine getting the attention of her favorite singer, but for her it was a reality Priscilla Anne Beaulieu when she met the “Hound Dog” singer Elvis Presley. With the highly anticipated biopic elvis Fans of The King are excited to take a trip down memory lane and explore the couple’s relationship.
From behind the mic to behind a camera, Elvis quickly proved that he didn’t just have a pretty face and a unique voice. He starred in several films including his debut film love me tenderly, but was drafted into the military soon after. He proudly agreed to join the force and was eventually promoted to sergeant. It was in Germany that he first met 14-year-old Priscilla, who later became his wife and greatest supporter, even after his death.
A chance encounter where Elvis first met Priscilla.
In 1958, while serving in the army (and somehow continuing to top the music charts with unreleased music), Elvis was deployed to Germany. A year later, he met Priscilla Beaulieu at a party at a friend’s house. Priscilla lived there with her family after her stepfather was posted there through the United States Air Force. The ‘Jailhouse Rock’ singer quickly became infatuated with her and the two were virtually inseparable throughout his stay in Germany.
The new, young romance suddenly took a turn when Elvis finally left Germany in 1960. After Priscilla was hounded by the media (pun intended) to talk about their brief relationship, Priscilla heard rumors about the singer’s relationship with actress Nancy Sinatra and thought she would ‘never speak to Elvis again’.
To Priscilla’s surprise, Elvis stayed in touch even after he returned to the United States. Finally, Priscilla’s parents agreed to let her visit the king for two weeks, under very strict rules. After some persuasion, those two weeks turned into Priscilla slowly moving to Elvis’ Memphis estate, Graceland.
The couple had a rather unconventional marriage.
After years of living at Graceland, maintaining the turbulent rock star lifestyle and fueling rumors of affairs with Hollywood stars, Elvis proposed to Priscilla just before Christmas 1966. Elvis, 32, and Priscilla, 22, tied the knot in Las Vegas in May 1967.
The 8-minute wedding caused tensions between the two as some of Elvis’ friends didn’t support the union and he reportedly said he felt he “didn’t have a choice”.
Elvis and Priscilla welcomed a daughter but decided it was best to go their separate ways.
Exactly nine months before their wedding, Priscilla gave birth to the couple’s only child, Lisa Marie Presley. According to Priscilla’s book Elvis and IShe was unprepared for pregnancy. Even while she was pregnant, Priscilla worried about the legitimacy of rumors surrounding Elvis’s affair with Nancy Sinatra. Much to her surprise, the actress offered to throw her a baby shower, where they seemed to hit it off.
Things took an unexpected turn after Elvis asked for a trial separation, in which she replied: “You got it. Just tell me when to go.” Two months later, Priscilla gave birth to Lisa Marie.
When filming Live a little, love a little In 1968 Elvis was away for an extended period and Priscilla decided to take private dance lessons. She began a brief affair with her instructor and admitted regret in her book, saying “I came out of it and realized I needed to get a lot more out of my relationship with Elvis.”
From the fans’ perspective, the couple’s marriage appeared to be a happy one, but as Elvis’ career continued to soar (although his health continued to deteriorate), Priscilla and Lisa were left alone at Graceland. After countless rumors of affairs with his co-stars, the two decided to divorce in 1973. After eight years of marriage, Priscilla and Elvis remained close, even holding each other as they left the courthouse after their divorce was finalized.
Priscilla received Graceland and continues Elvis’ legacy to this day.
Despite a divorce, Priscilla remained an important figure in Elvis’ life. He also supported Priscilla’s career and helped her open her first shop in 1973. The singer lived at Graceland until August 16, 1977, when he was found unconscious at the property at the age of just 42.
After his death, Elvis’ daughter Lisa Marie became the sole beneficiary of the estate. Later, in 1982, Priscilla announced that her home, Graceland, would become a memorial museum for the late singer and would be open to the public. She was given control of Elvis Presley Enterprises and has since helped preserve Elvis’ legacy, including her blessing on the new 2022 biopic. elvis.
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