The Captivating Love Story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley: Unveiling the Fascinating Tale of Priscilla

Sofia Coppola’s Latest Film ‘Priscilla’ Explores the Turbulent Love Story of the Presleys

The Enigmatic Love Story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley: From a Shy Teen’s Perspective to a Wild Romance

The story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s romance is the stuff of legends, brought to life in the captivating new movie “Priscilla.” It’s a tale that seems almost too fantastical to be true, where the world’s biggest celebrity bonded with a shy teen, whisking her away from her parents into his chaotic world. When they first crossed paths, Priscilla was just 14, and Elvis was 24. He made her the envy of women everywhere, and she made him the center of her universe.

In her 1985 memoir, “Elvis and Me,” Priscilla candidly described their relationship: “He became my father, husband, and very nearly God.” She acknowledged his faults but remained steadfast in her love. However, there came a day when she could no longer ignore those faults, as she was, in her own words, “blinded by love.”

Sofia Coppola, an Oscar-winning writer-director, adapted the script from Priscilla’s memoir and consulted with Priscilla herself. Her film, “Priscilla,” delves into the complex dynamic between the Presleys, showcasing their bond but not shying away from the darker aspects, including Elvis’s temper and his wandering eye.

Cailee Spaeny, who portrays Priscilla alongside Jacob Elordi’s Elvis, aptly describes the Presleys’ relationship as “a wild fairy tale with all its ups and downs.” Here, we take a closer look at key moments from their remarkable 14-year journey together.

1. Priscilla’s Move to Graceland as a Teen

Elvis first crossed paths with Priscilla Beaulieu in West Germany in 1959, where Priscilla’s stepfather served as a U.S. Air Force captain. Elvis, who had been drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957 while already a superstar, was stationed nearby. Their romance began in a then-chaste manner after a chance meeting at a party. Priscilla described herself as more of a listener, sharing, “Elvis would pour his heart out to me.”

After Elvis’s discharge in 1960, he and Priscilla maintained contact through phone calls for two years. Eventually, he invited her to visit him in the U.S. Priscilla made two trips, which provided her with a front-row seat to his extravagant lifestyle, including Vegas trips, prescription pill use, and daytime slumber.

Elvis then extended an invitation for her to live with him at Graceland, his iconic mansion in Memphis. After earnest pleas from both Priscilla and Elvis to her initially reluctant parents, they agreed. Priscilla reflects, “I might never forgive them if they hadn’t.”

To ease the Beaulieus’ concerns, Priscilla initially lived with Elvis’s father and stepmother, Vernon and Dee, in a house down the road from Graceland but spent her nights at the legendary estate.

2. Becoming Elvis’s “Doll”

During the day, Priscilla attended the local Immaculate Conception all-girls high school. But at night, she was Elvis’s pupil. He took it upon himself to educate her on everything: from how to dress, walk, apply makeup, and style her hair, to teaching her proper behavior. As Priscilla explained in “Elvis and Me,” “I was Elvis’s doll, his own living doll.”

Their extravagant shopping trips, where Elvis lavished her with gifts, also revealed his moody side. According to Priscilla, he had a preference for solid colors, disliking prints, and discouraged her from cutting her hair. Priscilla candidly admitted that when she deviated from his preferences, she was corrected.

3. Elvis’s Temper and Frightening Moments

The movie effectively portrays Elvis’s quick temper, including a scene in which a playful pillow fight takes a dark turn. Elvis, who relied on prescription medications like quaaludes to sleep and Dexedrine to wake up, becomes aggressive. Priscilla, in her own accounts, endured a black eye, a bruised arm, and a disconcerting realization that Elvis had an addiction.

Priscilla actively participated in bringing their story to the big screen. “There were times when we’d be filming different parts of the movie, and [Coppola]… would sort of disappear. But she was talking to Priscilla, and they would go through the script,” revealed producer Youree Henry during the movie’s premiere at the New York Film Festival.

4. Their Unique Approach to Intimacy

Priscilla remains resolute that Elvis never took advantage of her while she was underage or even before they were married. She clarified, “People think, ‘Oh, it was sex.’ No, it wasn’t. We never had sex,” referring to her teenage years with Elvis.

According to Priscilla, she often pushed for a more intimate relationship with Elvis. Yet, the “Love Me Tender” singer consistently pulled back, stating, “Let me decide when it should happen.” As Priscilla revealed, they didn’t consummate their relationship until their wedding night on May 1, 1967, when she was 21.

5. A Challenging Pregnancy and Temporary Separation

Priscilla found herself quickly pregnant, which stirred her anxieties. She wrote in “Elvis and Me,” “I was still uncertain about how my unexpected pregnancy would affect our marriage. This was supposed to be our time alone.”

Elvis, however, had different plans. When Priscilla entered her third trimester, he expressed a desire for some time apart. Within just two days, he changed his mind.

6. Infidelity and Turmoil

Early in their relationship, Priscilla discovered intimate correspondence between Elvis and actress Anita Wood. Later, the press reported on Elvis’s affairs with co-stars like Ann-Margret from “Viva Las Vegas.” When Priscilla confronted him about his infidelity, it often led to heated arguments.

As Priscilla candidly stated in 2021, “I always had an eye on him because everyone in the world was after him.” At one point, she was so distraught that she contemplated suicide, a painful revelation she shared in “Elvis and Me.”

However, as betrayed as she felt, Priscilla had her own affairs, including one with a dance teacher and another with her karate instructor, Mike Stone. Elvis had withdrawn sexually from Priscilla after the birth of their only child, Lisa Marie, which left her frustrated.

While the movie doesn’t delve into these brief dalliances, they marked a turning point for Priscilla, who was coming into her own.

In 1972, five years before Elvis’s tragic death from cardiac arrest at the age of 42, Priscilla made the difficult decision to leave him. Yet, she never stopped loving him. As she told PEOPLE, “Our life together was different, but it was ours.”

Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s love story, as depicted in “Priscilla,” remains a fascinating and turbulent tale of two people who shared a unique bond, defined by love, complexities, and unforgettable moments. It’s a story that continues to captivate audiences, showcasing the enduring legacy of the King of Rock and Roll and the woman who was at his side through it all.

By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed