Priscilla Presley: More Than Just Elvis’ Wife
Priscilla Beaulieu Presley was born Priscilla Ann Wagner to James Wagner and Anna Iversen in Brooklyn, New York, on May 24, 1945. When Priscilla’s father, a pilot, died after a plane crash, Anna Wagner re-married and Priscilla took on the last name of her stepfather, Paul Beaulieu.
Meeting Elvis
Beaulieu was an officer in the U.S. Air Force who moved his family to West Germany when he was stationed there. In 1958, Elvis Presley began his two-year service in the U.S. Army. It was in Wiesbaden in 1959 when a 14-year-old Priscilla met the 24-year-old Elvis. By this time, Priscilla had grown into a stunning beauty.
Elvis was so taken with Priscilla that he persuaded the Beaulieus to allow their daughter to live with Elvis’ parents in the U.S. Priscilla, who was 17 at the time, was flown to Memphis with her stepfather to meet with the Presley’s. The meeting resulted to a special living and schooling arrangement for the young girl.
Graceland
Priscilla moved to Elvis’ estate Graceland with Elvis. Much of what is known about her time with Elvis beginning in 1963 comes from her own account and from friends and acquaintances. In spite of their living arrangement, Elvis waited until December 1966 before proposing to Priscilla. They were married on May 1, 1967 in Las Vegas with only their family and a few friends in attendance. Nine months later, Priscilla gave birth to Lisa Marie, their only child.
Elvis’ wife
Her life as the wife of the famous Elvis Presley wasn’t exactly a fairy tale for Priscilla. She reportedly said that Elvis was a night owl who had to rent out restaurants just to dine out and make special arrangements with shop owners to keep shops open after store hours. She also reported that Elvis always used sleeping pills, even when they first lived together and that his use of prescription drugs increased over the years.
Life without Elvis
Priscilla’s marriage to Elvis Presley lasted only 6 years. They separated in 1972 and divorced in 1973. Priscilla, who was only in her late 20s at the time, began to work as a model and actress, starring in feature films and TV guest appearances.
When Elvis’ father Vernon died in 1979, Priscilla took over the struggling estate and turned Graceland into a museum and source of income. She became the president and chairman of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Although never remarried, she has been involved romantically with several prominent men.
Today, Priscilla is a successful businesswoman with her own line of products including perfumes and bed linens. She is still known as Elvis’ wife but she has definitely come into her own.
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