More than six decades after their whirlwind romance began, Priscilla Presley is opening up about the quieter, more intimate side of her relationship with Elvis Presley.
Speaking at the Center for Family Services PBC 27th Annual Old Bags Luncheon held at The Breakers on February 18, the 80-year-old reflected on what life looked like behind the gates of Graceland — long before their marriage and the global spotlight that followed.
Priscilla revealed that movies were at the heart of their early bond. In fact, cinema became a nightly ritual for the couple during the early years of their relationship, which began in 1959 when she was just 14 and Elvis was 24.
Local theaters would reportedly reach out directly to accommodate them, ensuring they could privately view films before anyone else. Their evenings didn’t begin early — dinner typically started around 10 p.m., followed by hours of back-to-back movie screenings that often lasted through the night.
“We would see one, two, three, even four movies,” she recalled, describing nights that stretched into the early morning. Despite the glamour and chaos surrounding Elvis’ life as one of the biggest stars in the world, these moments offered a sense of normalcy — quiet time spent together away from the frenzy of fame.
But the unusual routine came at a cost.
As a teenager balancing school with a relationship that placed her in the orbit of superstardom, Priscilla admitted she was often late to class. Looking back, she acknowledged the challenges of navigating such a complicated dynamic at a young age.
Priscilla, who was married to Elvis from 1967 to 1973, also reflected on the emotional complexities that ultimately led her to leave. While she didn’t detail specific reasons, she explained that she could no longer cope with the lifestyle that came with being married to a global icon. Still, she described Elvis as the love of her life — a connection that continues to define her story decades later.
The conversation also turned to more recent personal hardships, including the loss of her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, and grandson, Benjamin Keough.
Through grief, Priscilla emphasized the importance of family and friendship. Today, she says she’s learning to embrace life differently — leaning on loved ones and cherishing the support systems that help carry her forward.
