Life hasn’t been easy lately for Priscilla Presley, and her recent appearance in Los Angeles reflected just that.
As cameras spotted the 80-year-old in the upscale Bel-Air neighborhood this week, her solemn expression and poised but subdued presence spoke volumes.
Dressed smartly in a floral blouse and dark trousers, with her signature red hair tied back in a sleek ponytail, Priscilla looked every bit the icon—yet visibly weighed down by the emotional and legal turmoil of the past two years.
Heartbreak and Family Feuds After Lisa Marie’s Death
Everything seemed to unravel after the tragic death of her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in January 2023.
Lisa Marie, only 54 at the time, died from complications linked to a weight-loss surgery she had undergone years prior.
Her sudden passing not only devastated the family emotionally, but also ignited a fierce inheritance battle between Priscilla and her granddaughter, actress Riley Keough.
The legal feud over Lisa Marie’s estate made headlines for months before finally being resolved near the end of 2023—but the damage to family dynamics and public perception lingered.
A New Battle: Allegations of Financial Betrayal
Just as one legal storm cleared, another began brewing.
Priscilla filed a lawsuit in 2024 against several former business associates, accusing them of financial elder abuse and claiming they manipulated her into surrendering control of her finances.
The lawsuit targets Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan, and Lynn Walker Wright—whom Priscilla alleges carried out a calculated scheme to exploit her name, her trust, and her income.
In legal filings obtained by DailyMail.com, Priscilla accuses the group of convincing her to distrust her previous financial advisors, then coercing her into signing contracts and forming business entities that funneled 80% of her earnings away from her and into their control—leaving her with just 20% of her own company.
Lawsuit Reveals Allegations of Sham Deals and Misused Funds
Priscilla’s claims go beyond just loss of earnings.
Her lawsuit alleges the group used her name and likeness without fair compensation, set up fake transactions, and even interfered with her banking relationships.
According to her, they opened new accounts in her name, added themselves to her financial records, transferred money between accounts—often into their own—and withdrew $40,000 from an account set aside for her son, Navarone Garibaldi, without permission.
The lawsuit also accuses the group of misappropriating funds from the 2023 Sofia Coppola biopic “Priscilla” and sabotaging a potential cosmetics company deal that could have given her a lasting stake in the brand.
Instead, she received only a $300,000 upfront payment, which she alleges the defendants pocketed themselves.
The Defendants Fire Back with Their Own Claims
But this legal saga is anything but one-sided.
Kruse, one of the central figures in Priscilla’s lawsuit, filed her own breach of contract suit earlier in 2024.
In her filing, she paints a very different picture—claiming she rescued Priscilla from financial ruin when the star was allegedly facing $700,000 in unpaid tax debt and was just two months away from complete collapse.
Kruse asserts that she poured both time and money into helping Priscilla build new revenue streams, particularly in connection with the publicity surrounding the 2023 biopic, only to be cut off without payment.
According to her, the pair formed “Priscilla Presley Partners” in 2022, but by mid-2023, Priscilla had cut all ties.
Priscilla’s Legal Team Stands Firm
Priscilla’s powerhouse attorney, Marty Singer, has strongly refuted Kruse’s version of events.
He claims the actress severed ties with Kruse after uncovering evidence that Kruse and her team were allegedly trying to misappropriate her assets.
He emphasized that Priscilla’s lawsuit was in the works long before Kruse’s counterclaim was filed, and that her team is confident they’ll be vindicated in court.
Singer argues that Kruse’s lawsuit is simply a retaliatory move and insists Priscilla has a strong case backed by hard evidence.
A Cautionary Tale for Celebrities and Business Dealings
This high-profile legal war offers a glimpse into the darker side of celebrity partnerships—where trust can be weaponized, and business can quickly turn personal.
Priscilla Presley, known worldwide for her ties to Elvis and her own success in film and business, is now fighting not just for money, but to reclaim control of her legacy.
Despite the turmoil, she continues to maintain a public presence, though her recent appearance suggests the emotional toll is far from over.
The Road Ahead: Courtroom Battles and Public Scrutiny
As both sides prepare for the courtroom, it’s clear this battle is far from finished.
With millions of dollars, reputations, and potentially criminal behavior on the line, the case is drawing national attention.
Kruse and her team say they’re confident the facts will clear their names.
Priscilla’s camp says they’re ready for a legal win that could restore her name and financial standing.
In the end, the courts will decide—but for now, the Presley legacy remains caught in a storm of legal drama and personal heartbreak.