It has been almost five decades since the “king of rock ’n’ roll” died in Memphis at the age of 42.
For almost as long, Priscilla Presley has fought to preserve Graceland, the family home, which came close to slipping out of the family’s hands a few years after Elvis’ death.
“I was told that the money was running out and that we would have to sell Graceland,” says Priscilla Presley, who is on a short visit to Sweden.
“But I just looked at the lawyer and said, ‘That will never, ever happen.’”
On Saturday night, Priscilla Presley will talk in detail about her life with Elvis at a talk show at Haga Concert Hall in Gothenburg. She will speak about everything from their first meeting, when she was only 14, to their divorce and his death in 1977.
“Very generous”
When Elvis’ father died in 1979, Priscilla took over the management of Graceland. Today, people still queue outside Elvis’ home.
“I get a big smile on my face when I think about it. He was obviously very, very popular. And he was a very generous person,” says Priscilla Presley.
There is also a queue outside the concert hall for the show, as there is at every stop on her tour.
“People seem to like it because it brings them closer to Elvis, our marriage and me,” says the 81-year-old.
Priscilla’s own time in the spotlight began with Elvis. Her fame grew through her years in the TV series “Dallas” and the “Naked Gun” films.
Difficult years
In recent years, however, headlines about the family have focused on more painful events.
Her daughter Lisa Marie Presley died in 2023, just a few years after her son Benjamin Keough took his own life at the age of 27.
Priscilla Presley speaks candidly about her grief. At the same time, she is careful to point out that not everything written about the family in the newspapers is true.
“Sometimes it’s been hard. But, you know, it sells. That’s what it’s all about. People want to read that ‘Priscilla does this or Priscilla does that’ or ‘Priscilla argues with her son.’ It gets pretty crazy sometimes,” she says.
Her son, Navarone Garibaldi Garcia, who is sitting next to her during the interview, agrees.
“We would never argue,” he says with a smile.
The granddaughter took over
Today, it is no longer Priscilla Presley but her granddaughter, Hollywood star Riley Keough, who is responsible for Graceland.
Priscilla Presley remains an adviser, however.
“Riley has her own life and is very successful in the film world and everything she does. So I really don’t want to put any pressure on her to take over everything,” says Priscilla Presley.
“If she wants to, of course. But it’s taken care of very well by fantastic people.”
Born on May 24, 1945, in New York.
American actress and businesswoman, best known for her marriage to Elvis Presley.
The couple married in Las Vegas in May 1967 and had a daughter, Lisa Marie (1968–2023), nine months later. They separated a few years later and divorced in 1973.
Priscilla Presley chose to open Elvis’ home, Graceland, to visitors in 1982.
Alongside her business career, she played Jenna Wade in the television series “Dallas” from 1983 to 1988. She then starred opposite Leslie Nielsen in the three “Naked Gun” films, released in 1988, 1991 and 1994.
Her autobiography “Elvis and Me” was published in 1985. A second autobiography, “Softly as I Leave You: Life after Elvis,” was published in 2025.
In addition to the daughter she had with Elvis, Priscilla Presley also has a son, Navarone Garibaldi Garcia, born in 1987.
