Elvis Presley And Priscilla's Love Story, Controversial Age Gap, Affairs After Marriage And More

Elvis Presley, the 'King of Rock and Roll', left the world too soon at the age of 42 on August 16, 1977. Nearly five decades after his death, the masses have not yet forgotten the legendary singer. Elvis is still remembered for how he would have the heart's of all the ladies racing with smooth voice and suave moves. Years after his death, the world also remains obsessed with his controversial love story with Priscilla. Here's everything to know about their relationship. 

Elvis Presley and Priscilla met when she was in high school 

Elvis Presley had pulled a shocking move in his career when he unexpectedly served in the U.S. Army. However, this move of the singer led him to meet his future wife, Priscilla. Since Elvis and the latter's stepfather served from the same base, Priscilla met the rock star in 1959, when she was just 14 years old. In an essay for People, she revealed that Elvis was 24 at the time and when he got to know her age and the fact that she was in ninth grade, he said:

“Why, you’re just a baby.”

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Elvis Presley and Priscilla started dating soon after, and he moulded her to be the 'right girl'

Despite Priscilla's age and the gap between them, she started dating the rockstar soon after. This fact has created a lot of controversy in the modern world, with many accusing the rockstar of grooming his wife when she was at an impressionable age. However, in her book, Elvis and Me, Priscilla has maintained the fact that her relationship with Elvis wasn't physical until the two got married when she was 20. Though this fact has been disputed by biographer, Suzanne Finstad in her book, Child Bride. 

However, Priscilla did mention in her memoir that Elvis had a vision of what a 'right girl' was, and he moulded her to fit this image. Sofia Coppola's 2023 film, Priscilla, which is based on this book, also depicts this aspect of their relationship. In her essay as well, Priscilla mentioned this and wrote:

“Something in his Southern upbringing had taught him that the ‘right’ girl was to be saved for marriage. I was that girl. At the same time, he molded me into his woman. I wore the clothes, hairstyle and makeup of his careful choosing."

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Priscilla and Elvis Presley tied the knot after the latter's manager asked him to

Priscilla had moved in with Elvis after both of them were able to convince her parents to accept their relationship. She first lived with his parents, but then gradually relocated to Elvis's own home. Priscilla told the Ladies' Home Journal that even though the two of them were fine with their situation, Elvis's manager put the pressure on him to get married soon since it wasn't 'nice' for people to live together without marriage in those days. Priscilla was quoted as saying:

“One day, he showed me the ring and simply asked me to marry him... Even though we were perfectly content the way we were, at that time, it wasn’t nice for people to live together. Presley’s manager put the pressure to marry and marry soon. We’d been together for six years."

Priscilla was 20 years old at the time when the couple tied the knot on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas. Their wedding was one of the most anticipated events of the time. With Elvis's fan base primarily consisting of women who loved him for his charming moves and handsome face, the rockstar was reportedly worried about how his lady fans would take his image as a husband. More issues started in their marriage after Priscilla embraced motherhood. 

The troubled years of marriage between Elvis and Priscilla after the birth of their baby

When Priscilla was pregnant with their only child, Lisa Marie, Elvis briefly left her. As per the former, Elvis struggled with coming to terms with how his fans would react to his image as a father after barely accepting him as a married man. She also told the Orlando Sentinel that the rockstar could not get over her image of a 'little girl' and see her as a mother. With 'horrible communication' and a widening gap between the two, reportedly, the couple got involved in extramarital affairs. Revealing that Elvis had not been faithful during their marriage, Priscilla shared in Australia's Sunday Night:

“He wasn’t faithful, not that he had someone special, but when you’re in the entertainment business, there is always that, and I tried to turn my back to that, but I just didn’t want to share him. Simple as that. As much as he wanted to be married and have a family, I don’t know if he was ever cut to be married because I don’t think he could ever be faithful to one woman.”

Elvis Presley and Priscilla remained friends even after their divorce and until his untimely death 

Priscilla and Elvis split up in 1972, after which she embarked on a journey to find herself. Priscilla went on to become a popular actress, carving a niche for herself in both the TV and film industry. However, she also remained close to Elvis even after their divorce was finalised in 1973. But the rockstar's health kept deteriorating during those times. As per reports, Elvis was addicted to substance use and also had heart issues. On August 16, 1977, the rockstar left the world too soon at the age of 42. Priscilla never remarried after Elvis, and shared with People:

“To be honest with you, I never wanted to marry after him. I never had any desire. No one could ever match him.”

What are your thoughts on the love story of Elvis Presley and Priscilla? Let us know. 

Also Read: Priscilla Presley Reveals Being Apprehensive About Daughter, Lisa Marie Marrying Michael Jackson

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