Celebrity relationships have always been a source of intrigue for the public, but the level of exposure hasn’t always been the same. One of the relationships that still has fans fascinated is that of Priscilla and Elvis Presley.
In its early stages, it was unusual and controversial. Priscilla – then Priscilla Beaulieu – was just 14 years old when she met Elvis, who was not only a rock star but also an army man. The two met while Priscilla’s father was stationed at a base in Germany where Elvis was also serving as a draftee.
Introduced by a friend of Elvis, they dated during their time in Germany and she did not expect to see him after he was discharged. But once he returned to the States, he invited her to stay with him. By the time she was 17, Priscilla moved into Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee to be with her beau and his family.
At age 21, on May 1, 1967, Priscilla married Elvis Presley in a small ceremony in Las Vegas. Nine months later, their daughter Lisa Marie was born to much excitement. The couple did their best to maintain their privacy under the spotlight, and Priscilla was very much in love with her husband and enjoyed her life.
She was doted on and looked after during their entire relationship, but with such a busy schedule as a singer and actor, Elvis did not spend much time at home. This was also before the baby was born. Although Priscilla has had nothing but kind and sweet things to say about Elvis, she admitted things were not always easy.
During an interview on the UK talk show Loose Women, she shared that they were living in a bubble thanks to his circle of people. She also shared that he didn’t want to see her get dressed, so she primped out of sight, complete with a little touch of makeup.
There were times she felt stifled and lonely, and she was also aware of Elvis’s fondness for other ladies. When she realized things wouldn’t change, they separated (amicably). She told the show:
“I didn’t sign a cheque until I was 29, everything had been there for me. As a woman, I didn’t know who I was. I realised, ‘I don’t know who I am.”
She also spoke about how decisions were made by the rock-and-roll king and that she wanted more:
“. . . seeing the movies he wanted to see, listening to the music he liked, and going to the places he wanted to visit. I needed to find out what the world was like.”
Elvis filed for divorce in January 1973 and the two remained close friends up until his death. As a woman, Priscilla realized she had a lot to learn about herself and life since she was so young when she got with Elvis.
This year, Priscilla was busy promoting a documentary about Elvis called “The Searcher”. It explores the couple’s relationship as well as the singer’s career and legacy and aired on HBO in April.
Are you a fan of Elvis and Priscilla? What are your thoughts on their courtship and love story? Can you relate to her reasons for leaving the marriage?
Source:
