Priscilla Presley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Priscilla Presley
Presley in 2022
Born	Priscilla Ann Wagner (1945-05-24) May 24, 1945 (age 80) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Other names	Priscilla Wagner Priscilla Beaulieu
Occupation	Actress businesswoman
Years active	1973–present
Spouse(s)	Elvis Presley ​ ​ (m. 1967; div. 1973)​
Partner(s)	Marco Garibaldi (1984–2006)
Children	Lisa Marie Presley Navarone Garibaldi
Relatives	Riley Keough (granddaughter)

Priscilla Ann Presley (born May 24, 1945) is an American businesswoman and actress. She was married to the famous American singer Elvis Presley. She is also known for helping turn Elvis's home, Graceland, into one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. As an actress, Priscilla starred with Leslie Nielsen in the three Naked Gun movies and played Jenna Wade in the TV show Dallas.

Early Life and Family

Priscilla Ann Wagner was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 24, 1945. Her grandfather on her mother's side came to the United States from Egersund, Norway. Priscilla's father, James Wagner, was a pilot in the US Navy. Sadly, he died in a plane crash when Priscilla was just a baby.

In 1948, her mother, Ann, married Paul Beaulieu, an officer in the United States Air Force. He adopted Priscilla, and she took his last name. The family grew, and Priscilla had five half-siblings. Because her stepfather was in the military, the family moved often, living in places like Connecticut, New Mexico, and Maine.

Priscilla later said that she was a "shy, pretty little girl" who was used to moving to a new military base every few years. She found it hard to move so often because she never knew if she would make lasting friends. In 1956, the family moved to West Germany. Priscilla was sad to leave her friends behind.

Meeting Elvis Presley

Life in West Germany

A photo of Priscilla and Elvis from around 1959

While living in West Germany, 14-year-old Priscilla met Elvis Presley at a party in 1959. Elvis, who was 24, was serving in the U.S. Army there. At first, her parents were worried about her seeing him, but Elvis promised to always bring her home on time. They soon began spending a lot of time together.

When Elvis returned to the United States in 1960, he and Priscilla stayed in touch by writing letters and talking on the phone.

Moving to Graceland

Graceland, Elvis's home in Memphis, Tennessee

In the summer of 1962, Priscilla's parents allowed her to visit Elvis in the U.S. for two weeks. After another visit at Christmas, her parents agreed to let her move to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1963.

Part of the agreement was that she would finish high school at an all-girls Catholic school. She also had to live with Elvis's father and stepmother in a house near the Graceland mansion. Eventually, she moved into Graceland. Her parents agreed to this because Elvis promised he would marry her.

Marriage and Family Life

Wedding and a New Baby

Elvis and Priscilla with their newborn daughter, Lisa Marie, in February 1968

Shortly before Christmas in 1966, Elvis proposed to Priscilla. They were married on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas. The wedding was small and only lasted eight minutes. Afterwards, they had a short honeymoon in Palm Springs.

Soon after, Priscilla learned she was pregnant. Their only child, Lisa Marie Presley, was born on February 1, 1968, exactly nine months after their wedding.

Separation and Divorce

The Presleys in October 1973 after their divorce was finalized

In the first few years of their marriage, Priscilla and Elvis seemed happy. But after Elvis's career became very busy again, he was often away from home touring. The couple started to grow apart.

Priscilla and Elvis separated in February 1972. Their divorce was finalized on October 9, 1973. They agreed to share custody of their daughter, Lisa Marie. Even after the divorce, Priscilla and Elvis remained good friends and were seen leaving the courthouse holding hands.

Life After Elvis

After her divorce, Priscilla had a long-term relationship with Marco Garibaldi, a screenwriter. They were together for 22 years and had a son, Navarone Garibaldi, who is a musician.

Priscilla has four grandchildren through her daughter, Lisa Marie, including actress Riley Keough. In 2022, she became a great-grandmother. Sadly, Lisa Marie died in January 2023.

Successful Business Career

Saving Graceland

After Elvis died in 1977, his father, Vernon, was in charge of his estate. When Vernon died in 1979, Priscilla took over this role. The cost to keep up Graceland was very high, and there was a risk it would have to be sold.

Priscilla decided to turn Graceland into a tourist attraction. She hired a CEO, and on June 7, 1982, Graceland opened to the public. It was a huge success. The money it earned in the first month was enough to cover all the costs. Priscilla became the chairperson of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) and helped the company become worth over $100 million.

Other Ventures

In 1988, Priscilla launched her own perfume called "Moments." She later released other popular perfumes. She also helped produce movies, including Finding Graceland. In 2000, she was elected to the board of directors at the movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

In 2015, she was an executive producer for the album If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. She also helped create the animated Netflix series Agent Elvis, where she voiced her own character.

Acting Career

Priscilla had always been interested in acting. In 1983, she got her first major role as Jenna Wade in the popular TV show Dallas. She was on the show for five years.

In 1988, she starred as Jane Spencer in the comedy movie The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! with Leslie Nielsen. The movie was a big hit, and she starred in two sequels: The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994).

In the 1990s, she made guest appearances on TV shows like Melrose Place, Touched by an Angel, and Spin City. In 2012, she performed in a stage show of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in London, England.

Charity Work

Since 2003, Priscilla has been an Ambassador for the Dream Foundation. This charity helps grant wishes for adults who are terminally ill.

She has also spoken out for animal rights. In 2013, she wrote a letter to the governor of Tennessee to protect horses and other farm animals from cruelty.

Honors and Awards

• In 1998, Rhodes College gave her an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
• In 2012, she was named the godmother of the river steamboat American Queen.
• In 2018, she received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
• In Egersund, Norway, there is a square named Priscilla Presleys plass (Priscilla Presley's Place) in her honor. It is located where her grandfather was born.

Filmography

Television

See also

In Spanish: Priscilla Presley para niños