In 1959, at the age of 24, Elvis Presley initially made the acquaintance of 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu. Elvis didn’t mind Priscilla’s age difference since he believed he could make her into the woman of his dreams. Priscilla initially acknowledged Elvis’ impact, but as she got older, she started to want greater autonomy over her own life. Their marriage could not withstand this, and in 1973, after six years of marriage, they got divorced.
Even Nevertheless, Priscilla continues to have pleasant recollections of her famed ex-husband, who passed away in 1977. Her account of their romance and marriage, Elvis and Me, was published in 1985. The movie Priscilla, which starred Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi as the well-known pair, was inspired by her book.
The Sofia Coppola-directed film is currently available for streaming on Max and can be bought or rented on popular services like Vudu, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.
This is the genuine account of their turbulent yet loving relationship, Hollywood being what it is.
When Priscilla was in the ninth grade, she met Elvis.
Elvis was stationed in West Germany in the fall of 1958, six months into his time in the U.S. Army. When Priscilla arrived in the nation in 1959, he was still there since her stepfather, Paul, had been transferred there by the Air Force. Priscilla was out with her younger brother when a service member asked if she wanted to go to see Elvis with him and his wife. Paul authorized a visit after confirming with the man’s superior commander.
Dressed in a navy and white sailor dress, Priscilla went to Elvis Presley’s makeshift residence in Bad Nauheim on a November evening in 1959. Even after revealing that she was a ninth-grader, she attracted the star’s attention right away. To win her over, he performed a number of songs, including “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” However, she assumed the evening wouldn’t be repeated when she left that night.
The singer thought Priscilla was a nice young, inexperienced singer.
Elvis noticed similarities between Priscilla and his late mother Gladys, whose passing had left the singer deeply affected. He said that Priscilla was “young enough that I can train her any way I want” to his friend Rex Mansfield. Elvis desired for Priscilla to return. They shared a kiss when they went to his room on their second meeting.
Following four “dates” with Elvis, Priscilla’s parents demanded a face-to-face encounter. Paul questioned why a celebrity was interested in his adolescent daughter when they first got dating. “Well, sir, I happen to be very fond of her,” Elvis replied. She’s much older than she looks, but I still like having her around.” Priscilla was able to continue visiting Elvis since the Beaulieus seemed to be sufficiently enchanted.
After Elvis Presley departed Germany in March 1960, a teenager Priscilla Beaulieu gets ready to write him a letter. Ten years separated the couple’s ages.
In any case, Priscilla had already made up her mind; in an August 2023 interview, she told The Hollywood Reporter that she would have fled if her parents had disapproved. “I basically said, ‘If you don’t let me go, I’ll find my way,’ and threatened them.”
Elvis remained the focus of her universe for the duration of his time in Germany. Even though Elvis gave her medicines when he saw that she was tired, she didn’t take them and eventually fell behind in her studies. He said to her, “I want you to take these; they’ll help you stay awake during the day.”
Despite being too old to go out in public, Priscilla and she continued to see each other frequently. The only thing they failed to do as a couple was to get married. Priscilla wanted to do so since his time in the Army was coming to an end, but Elvis informed her, “Someday we will, Priscilla, but not now.” You simply are too young.
After his discharge, Elvis and Priscilla got back in touch two years later.
Elvis had completed his enlistment and departed Germany in March 1960. Priscilla wrote messages, labeling them with pink envelopes to make them stand out from Elvis’ fan correspondence. Her parents warned her that the romance was finished and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would probably forget her, yet he later called. And he made an effort to persuade her parents to allow their teenager to visit Los Angeles in 1962, as well as inviting her to come.
Elvis added Las Vegas to the schedule once Priscilla arrived. In order to accommodate Elvis’ nocturnal routine, Priscilla started taking amphetamines and sleeping medications while they were there. She also began dressing in new, more sophisticated clothes that Elvis had bought her. The singer also told Priscilla, “I like a lot of makeup,” and had her hair and cosmetics changed to fit his tastes.
Priscilla spent Christmas that year at Graceland as well. She was eager to complete her high school education in Memphis, Tennessee, when Elvis invited her to do so. Elvis attempted to persuade her parents that their daughter would be safe living with his father, Vernon, and stepmother, Dee, but Priscilla persisted in bringing up the matter. It was also hinted that he desired to wed Priscilla.
Priscilla was dubbed “Elvis’ living doll.”
After all, the Beaulieus decided to send their daughter to Immaculate Conception High School in Memphis. She initially resided with Vernon and Dee, but she quickly moved into Graceland. She took the pills Elvis gave her before she graduated in May 1963, allowing her to attend classes during the day and be available to him at other times.
Their relationship was sexless because Elvis respected Priscilla’s perceived innocence; yet, Elvis had relationships with a variety of women during their time together, from Hollywood co-stars to girl next door types. They were close in other respects, though. Using Polaroids to record sexual activities, such a teacher seducing a pupil, was one of the favorite past times.
Priscilla, who subsequently referred to herself as “Elvis’ living doll,” continued to be remade by Elvis to his own tastes in fashion. He had porcelain crowns put on her teeth and insisted that she straighten up. Additionally, he was shaping her into a reflection of himself: her clothes had to match his color scheme, her hair had to be dyed black like his, and her hair had to be styled in an updo that matched his pompadour.
“The Hollywood Reporter was informed by Priscilla that it was a distinct era.” I was a part of his universe. I desired to win his approval. My goal was to blend in. I desired to enjoy myself with him. I was curious to find out what he found appealing.
Priscilla also started to realize that, as Elvis’ love interest, she would be in the public eye all the time. She talked about an incident when she heard shoppers at a Beverly Hills boutique chatting while she tried on clothing in the same interview. “The girl said, ‘You know who that is?'” that I heard. Elvis is dating that particular girl, and they are getting hitched. “She’s pregnant,” remembered Priscilla, who wasn’t really carrying a child. “Oh my God, is that what’s being said?” I exclaimed.
Priscilla and Elvis refrained from having sex until the evening of their wedding.
On May 1, 1967, Elvis and Priscilla Presley tied the knot in Las Vegas.
Priscilla, who was frequently left behind at Graceland while Elvis went off to film movies, had also been referred to as a “live-in Lolita” over the years. Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s overbearing manager, was concerned about possible repercussions should they remain single. Elvis asked her to marry him before Christmas 1966, most likely as a result of Parker’s encouragement. Even though the singer felt under strain throughout the whole process, they were married in Las Vegas on May 1, 1967. She was three weeks away from becoming twenty-two, and he was thirty-two.
The pair had their first sexual experience on their wedding night. As soon as Priscilla became pregnant, Elvis began to worry about how becoming a father might impact his profession. He requested a trial separation while Priscilla was seven months pregnant, although they were only apart for a brief period of time. Lisa Marie, their daughter, was born on February 1, 1968, which was nine months after her parents’ marriage.
When Elvis died, Priscilla “wanted to die,” despite their divorce.
After giving birth, Priscilla learned that Elvis was hesitant to have a close relationship with her. Although Priscilla later recalled, “He had mentioned before we were married that he had never been able to make love to a woman who’d had a child,” he told her he wanted to give her time to heal. Elvis had affairs with other women, just as he had done before they were married. Priscilla, though, could stand waiting for him to get home no more.
A brief relationship existed between Priscilla and the proprietor of a dance academy. And she was still feeling the constraints of her marriage, even after reaffirming her vows in Hawaii. She once told People magazine, “My life was his life,” in 1978. “My issues weren’t the main ones.” She had an affair with Mike Stone, her karate instructor, because she was still unfulfilled. She informed Elvis that she was divorcing him in 1972. He was persuaded not to hire a hitman to assassinate her partner after learning about her affair.
On October 9, 1973, their divorce was officially concluded in an amicable manner. In a 2016 interview, Priscilla stated, “I didn’t divorce him because I didn’t love him.” I had to learn more about the outside world even if he was the love of my life. They visited each other frequently and shared custody of Lisa Marie. When Priscilla found out that Elvis had passed away on August 16, 1977, she was crushed. “I wanted to die,” she said in her memoir.
Priscilla presents their love as seen through her eyes.
Director Sofia Coppola gathered further examples of Priscilla’s numerous attempts to satisfy Elvis by using stories from her book for the film Priscilla. This includes putting on her false eyelashes after she gave birth. And the time the pair went target shooting and she picked out a gun to go with her attire.
Elvis and Me by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley with Sandra Harmon
The movie shows some of the less admirable parts of their relationship, such as the scene where Elvis gets angry during a pillow fight and gives Priscilla a black eye. In Elvis and Me, she wrote about the encounter.
Priscilla ultimately stated to the publication that she wanted the film to demonstrate “that love was there, that the care was there.” When they met to get ready for the main part, Cailee Spaeny asked her for any tips on how to help the actor provide a genuine portrayal. Regarding her co-star Jacob Elordi, Priscilla advised, “Just be sensitive to him.”
Variety claims that the late daughter of Elvis and Priscilla wasn’t pleased with the movie’s storyline. In one email, Lisa Marie asked Coppola to reevaluate her portrayal of Elvis, saying, “My father only comes across as a predator and manipulative.” I don’t read this and see my father in this persona, even if I am his daughter. I see my mother’s perspective of my father without having read this. I read this and find your view incredibly spiteful and disdainful, but I’m not sure why. Variety says that Coppola graciously dismissed Lisa Marie’s entreaties.
Executive producer Priscilla is certain that Coppola has made a stunning film, but she is still concerned about the reaction of the audience. “It’s my life, which is why I’m so nervous,” she remarked. “You hope and pray that they get it, because the people watching are living it with you.”
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