The Transformation Of Priscilla Presley From Childhood To 77 Years Old

May 2024 ยท 2 minute read

Per The Guardian, Elvis Presley left his ex-wife and daughter without a cent when he died. As the Los Angeles Times notes, Priscilla Presley was subsequently shocked to learn that Elvis' myriad financial woes could mean the loss of her home, Graceland. The King may have made millions throughout his career, but he sure loved to spend money, both on himself and others. As Larry King once recounted on CNN, there was one famous instance where Elvis asked a limo driver whether he owned his vehicle or worked for a company. When the driver confirmed he worked for the company, Elvis replied, "You now own it."

Generous he may have been, but Priscilla struggled with the aftermath of this laissez faire attitude towards money. But in 1982, the business savvy widow opened Graceland to the public via the Elvis Presley Estate. Per the 1989 LA Times profile, the Graceland attraction was raking in a whopping $15 million a year. During this period, Priscilla donned honey blond curls and subtle makeup.

Opening her home to the public wasn't easy for Priscilla. "Behind those gates, that was our private home," she told The Guardian in a later interview. However, she acknowledged that the attraction was keeping her husband's name alive. In fact, it was a particular fear of The King that he would be long forgotten once he died: "He said, 'you know, once I pass nobody will remember me' and that really stuck with me."

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