Priscilla Presley, an American actress, businesswoman, and author, is a well-known figure, not just for her marriage to Elvis Presley, but for her extensive career and business ventures. With a net worth of $10 million, Priscilla’s journey through life has been marked by both personal challenges and remarkable success. She’s carved out her own path in the entertainment industry, from acting in iconic films and television shows to running Elvis Presley Enterprises and turning Graceland into a global tourist destination.
Early Life and Relationship with Elvis Presley
Priscilla Ann Wagner was born on May 24, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised by her mother, Ann, after the tragic death of her father, James, when Priscilla was just six months old, Priscilla’s early life was filled with constant moves due to her stepfather’s career in the Air Force. She lived in several places, including Texas, Maine, New Mexico, and Connecticut. The most significant change came in 1956 when her family moved to Germany, where she met Elvis Presley while he was stationed there with the U.S. Army.
The couple’s relationship began when Priscilla was just 14 years old and Elvis was 24. While their age difference raised some eyebrows, Priscilla’s family eventually gave their consent after meeting Elvis, who charmed them with his affable demeanor. The two kept in touch through phone calls, and Priscilla moved to Memphis in 1963 to live with Elvis’s father and stepmother, continuing her high school education while also spending time with Elvis.
Priscilla and Elvis married in a quick Las Vegas ceremony on May 1, 1967. The couple had a daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. However, their relationship faced difficulties, particularly with Elvis’s infidelities. After years of emotional strain and an affair with her karate instructor, Priscilla and Elvis separated in 1972, divorcing the following year. Despite the separation, they remained close, sharing custody of their daughter.
Priscilla Presley’s Business Ventures
Following Elvis’s death in 1977, Priscilla Presley became the trustee of his estate, a position she held until Lisa Marie turned 25 in 1993. Although Elvis’s estate was in a dire financial situation at the time of his death, Priscilla played a pivotal role in turning Graceland, Elvis’s home, into a tourist attraction. By opening Graceland to the public in 1982, she made it one of the most visited private homes in the U.S. and transformed the estate into a profitable venture. This move helped restore the estate’s value, which had been estimated at just $1 million at the time of Elvis’s death, but by the time Lisa Marie inherited the estate, it was worth $100 million.
In 1981, Priscilla also founded Elvis Presley Enterprises, which she managed for a few years until stepping down in the late 1980s. She helped secure lucrative licensing deals and maintain Elvis’s legacy, ensuring that his name remained a financial asset.
Priscilla’s other business ventures include the launch of a fragrance line, which has proven successful. Additionally, she worked as a producer and actor, starring in the hit television series Dallas from 1983 to 1988 and appearing in all three Naked Gun films. These roles further solidified her place in the entertainment industry.
Priscilla’s Role in Elvis and Lisa Marie’s Estates
Priscilla’s relationship with Elvis’s estate has been a significant part of her financial journey. After Elvis’s death, she became the executor of his estate and faced the challenge of managing it during its financial struggles. Despite the estate’s turnaround under her guidance, Priscilla never became a major beneficiary, as Elvis had left his estate to his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.
When Lisa Marie passed away in January 2023, Priscilla found herself embroiled in a legal dispute with her granddaughter, Riley Keough, over the trust fund and the control of Elvis’s estate. Riley had been named the trustee of Lisa Marie’s estate, and the legal battle was centered around Priscilla’s desire for a greater share of the inheritance. The feud was settled out of court, with Priscilla reportedly receiving a portion of Lisa Marie’s $35 million life insurance payout.
Financial Struggles and Alleged Issues
Despite her impressive business acumen, Priscilla Presley has faced financial struggles in recent years. In early 2024, a former business associate filed a lawsuit alleging that Priscilla was on the brink of financial ruin, with $700,000 in unpaid tax debt and no clear source of future income. The lawsuit claimed that Priscilla’s financial difficulties could have led to public embarrassment without the intervention of the business associate. In response, Priscilla’s legal team refuted these claims, asserting that the former associate was attempting to misappropriate her assets.
In 2020, Priscilla sold her Beverly Hills home for $13 million, after listing it for $16 million. She had purchased the property in 1977, and it had been her home for several decades. Additionally, Priscilla bought a penthouse in Los Angeles for $5 million, signaling a significant shift in her real estate holdings.
Personal Life and Family
Priscilla’s personal life has been marked by high-profile relationships and family drama. After her divorce from Elvis, Priscilla had relationships with several notable individuals, including businessman Marco Garibaldi, with whom she had a son, Navarone, born in 1987. They were together for over two decades before separating in 2006.
Through her daughter Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla has four grandchildren, including actress Riley Keough, who has taken on a significant role in the family legacy following Lisa Marie’s passing. In 2022, Priscilla became a great-grandmother when Riley gave birth. Tragically, Lisa Marie’s son, Benjamin Keough, passed away by suicide in 2020, casting a shadow over the family.
Priscilla Presley Net Worth and Conclusion
Priscilla Presley’s net worth is estimated at $10 million, a reflection of her successful career as an actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Despite facing some financial difficulties and personal challenges, Priscilla remains an important figure in the entertainment world, particularly due to her role in preserving Elvis Presley’s legacy.
Priscilla’s journey has been one of resilience, from navigating the complexities of Elvis’s estate to building her own career and family legacy. With her entrepreneurial spirit and deep connection to one of the most famous figures in music history, Priscilla Presley continues to be a prominent and influential figure in the entertainment industry.