Priscilla Presley Addresses Conspiracy Theories That Elvis Presley Is “Alive”
Priscilla Presley isn’t entertaining any conspiracy theories.
Nearly five decades after her ex-husband Elvis Presley died of heart failure, the 80-year-old is shutting down online speculation that the late music legend is still alive.
“There’s been so much that’s untruthful out there—things like Elvis is still alive and hidden somewhere,” Priscilla told People in a September cover story. “I wish he was still alive.”
Along with setting the record straight that the “Burning Love” singer is resting peacefully, Priscilla went on to reflect on their whirlwind romance, which began in 1959 when she was just 14 years old.
“I met him at such a young age I didn’t have time to think about life yet,” she continued. “Even when dating him, I’d think, ‘What am I going to do? I don’t want to be a nurse. I don’t want to be a teacher. I don’t want to be a secretary. What can do?’ Other things happened, and I love every moment.”
The couple tied the knot in 1967 after Priscilla had left her parents to accompany the musician in Memphis, Tennessee. And nine months later, they welcomed their first baby Lisa Marie Presley before splitting up in 1973.
Beyond losing her ex-husband in 1977, the matriarch deemed the day that her daughter died at age 54 to be one of the worst of her life.
“It was the second saddest day of my life, other than losing Elvis,” Priscilla told People of her daughter’s January 2023 death in an interview published Sept. 17. “It took a long time to come to terms with the fact that Lisa was gone.”
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Lisa had been rushed to the hospital after her ex-husband Danny Keough—dad to Riley Keogh and the late Benjamin Keough—found her unresponsive at her home due to a small bowel obstruction that developed after a bariatric surgery she’d had years prior.
“Lisa really wasn’t breathing, so she was on the ventilator,” she recalled. “For hours we were there waiting, hoping and praying until the doctor came in and said, ‘Priscilla, I’m so sorry, she’s gone.'”
“We just couldn’t believe it—didn’t want to believe it,” she added of her family, including Lisa Marie’s twins Harper Lockwood and Finwood Lockwood, 16, who she shares with ex Michael Lockwood. “It was hard on all of us, it still is.”
For more of Lisa Marie’s family over the years, keep reading…
Pride and Joy
Lisa Marie Presley posed with her daughters—Riley Keough and twins Harper and Finley Lockwood—and son Benjamin Keough in this June 2019 photo. The singer wrote on Instagram, “Mama Lion with cubs.”
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Three Generations
Lisa Marie was joined by her daughters and mom Priscilla Presley at a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on June 21, 2022.
Source of Strength
Shortly after celebrating her 53rd birthday in February 2021, the singer posted a family photo with her girls alongside the caption: “Thank you for all of the overwhelming birthday wishes from everyone. Like everyday, I couldn’t have made it through without these three by my side.”
Together Always
In 2013, the musician rang in Easter with her kids and mom.
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Family Day
Lisa Marie took Riley and Benjamin to the Hollywood premiere of Lilo and Stitch on June 16, 2002. The trio were accompanied by Lisa Marie’s half-brother Navarone Garibaldi, who Priscilla shares with ex Marco Garibaldi.
Birthday Wish
The To Whom It May Concern artist was fêted by Finley and Harper on her 51st birthday in 2019. “Grateful to be happy, healthy and alive,” Lisa Marie captioned a mother-daughter snap from the celebration. “And grateful for all of you.”
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Girls’ Night Out
Lisa Marie was accompanied by her daughters at Elle‘s 24th annual Women in Hollywood celebration on October 16, 2017.
Snuggly Selfie
“Love of my life,” Lisa Marie captioned a selfie with Benjamin on Oct. 14, 2015. “One of the contents of my heart.”
Fur-ever Friends
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa Marie shared that she and her twins were fostering puppies from a local shelter. “Exhausting but so rewarding,” she wrote on March 23, 2020. “Be well.
Quality Time
While celebrating Benjamin’s 21st birthday on Oct. 21, 2013, Lisa Marie snapped this mother-daughter selfie. She tweeted, “love it when were all together.”
Tiny Dancers
“Incredible night at the Nutcracker ballet w my fave people in the world,” Lisa Marie wrote in a December 2018 Instagram post. “Now it feels like Xmas.”
Bedtime Story
Lisa Marie shared a sweet moment with her twins backstage at a tribute concert for Elvis Presley on Aug. 17, 2012.
Presley Legacy
Lisa Marie and Riley unveiled a new Presley family exhibit at Graceland in August 2018. The “Lights Out” artist wrote on Instagram at the time, “Hope you all enjoy this little insight to my life.”
Matching Tattoos
The singer got matching tattoos with Benjamin as a Mother’s Day gift.
In July 2022, two years after her son’s death, Lisa Marie explained the meaning behind design. “It’s a Celtic eternity knot. Symbolizing that we will be connected eternally,” she wrote on Instagram. “We carefully picked it to represent our eternal love and our eternal bond.”
A Meal With Mom
Lisa Marie and her kids toasted with tea during a 2019 luncheon at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Easter Sunday
The family got together for an Easter Sunday celebration in 2015.
Jeff Vespa/WireImage
Rock ‘n Roll Royalty
Lisa Marie supported Riley’s movie The Runaways at a Hollywood premiere party on March 11, 2010.
DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES
Movie Night
Lisa Marie and Benjamin enjoyed a night out at the London premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 on November 11, 2010.
Glam Squad
In October 2018, Riley snapped a mirror selfie with her family at a backstage green room. Lisa Marie captioned the shot: “glamming it up with my loves for a special event!!!”
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Rock On
Riley and Lisa Marie walk the red carpet at a launch party for Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone on April 27, 2012 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Mark Humphrey/AP/Shutterstock
Celebrating Elvis
Lisa Marie was accompanied by her mom and her two oldest kids at a ceremony commemorating what would’ve been dad Elvis’ 75th birthday in 2010.
Making Memories
Lisa Marie and Benjamin were snapped hanging out with DJ Ashba in December 2012, with the matriarch calling it a “fun night.”
Feeling the Love
“Had such a lovely Birthday this evening with my Family [and] Friends!” Lisa Marie tweeted in February 2018. “Thank You everyone for all the LOVE and Birthday wishes!!”
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