Priscilla Presley discusses dating Elvis Presley as a teenager and their secret film screenings at Graceland before tying the knot

Priscilla Presley has recently reflected on her early relationship with Elvis Presley, revealing that their evenings together at Graceland were often filled with films rather than romance.

The 80-year-old shared that she and Elvis would screen “a lot of movies” every night at his Tennessee estate, providing a glimpse into the quieter, more intimate side of their young courtship.

How Elvis and Priscilla Met

Their story began in 1959 at a party in West Germany.

Elvis, 24 at the time, was stationed there with the US Army, while Priscilla was only 14.

Despite the significant age gap, the pair began seeing each other.

Their relationship paused when Elvis returned to the United States, only to resume three years later when he flew Priscilla out to Los Angeles and took her to Las Vegas.

Teen Romance With Boundaries

Priscilla has long emphasized that they did not engage in sexual activity until they were married in Las Vegas in 1967, just weeks before her 22nd birthday.

In interviews, she fondly remembers their movie-filled nights, noting that she often stayed up late enough to be “always late for school” afterward.

Their typical evening started around 10 p.m., followed by screenings of up to four films in a single night.

The couple had a unique privilege: the local movie theater would take their requests for specific films and ensure they saw them first before anyone else, creating an exclusive cinematic experience for the young couple.

Turbulence Behind Closed Doors

Despite these tender moments, their relationship was far from drama-free.

Elvis carried on an affair with his Viva Las Vegas co-star Ann-Margret, one of the biggest pinups of the 1960s.

Priscilla recounted her anger in her memoir Elvis and Me, describing a moment when she threw a flower vase across a room after learning of his indiscretions.

Even so, the pair married in a small, private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas on May 1, 1967.

Nine months later, they welcomed their only child, Lisa Marie Presley, who tragically passed away in 2023 at the age of 54 from complications related to previous weight-loss surgery.

Priscilla made the heartbreaking decision to remove Lisa Marie from life support following cardiac arrest, noting that her daughter had been deeply affected by the suicide of her 27-year-old son, Benjamin, in 2020.

Struggles Within Marriage

Priscilla has admitted that her marriage to Elvis was complicated.

She once revealed that she “never wanted to leave town or even visit my parents,” fearing someone else might replace her in Elvis’s life.

During their marriage, Priscilla had an affair with a karate instructor, which contributed to their eventual separation in 1972 and divorce in 1973.

Elvis, notorious for his drug use, passed away in 1977 at his Memphis home from cardiac arrest after being found unconscious on a bathroom floor.

Life After Elvis

Following his death, Priscilla carved out a successful career as a businesswoman and guardian of Elvis’s legacy, opening Graceland to the public and ensuring fans could continue celebrating the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Between her divorce and Elvis’s passing, she had a romantic relationship with lawyer Robert Kardashian, who wanted to marry her.

However, Priscilla reportedly declined, not wanting to remarry while Elvis was still alive.

Kardashian would later marry Kris Houghton, known today as Kris Jenner.

Later, she was involved with Marco Garibaldi, an attempted movie mogul, and together they have a son, Navarone Garibaldi, now 38 years old.

What’s Next?

Priscilla continues to honor both Elvis’s memory and her family life.

She remains a prominent figure in the entertainment world, frequently attending events celebrating Elvis and maintaining the Graceland estate as a top destination for fans worldwide.

Though she never remarried, she has expressed satisfaction with her life and family, keeping her late daughter’s and Elvis’s legacies alive for future generations.

Summary

Priscilla Presley’s reflections reveal a complex but tender side of her early relationship with Elvis Presley, marked by movie nights and youthful innocence.

Despite tumultuous moments, including infidelities and personal struggles, the pair married in 1967 and shared a family with Lisa Marie Presley.

After their divorce and Elvis’s untimely death, Priscilla emerged as a successful businesswoman and devoted mother, preserving Elvis’s legacy while navigating her own personal journey.