When diving into the story of Elvis Presley, few voices resonate as deeply and authentically as that of Priscilla Presley. As the woman married to the King of Rock and Roll in 1967, she shared six transformative years beside him and remained a steadfast figure in his life even after their marriage ended. Today, her perspective cuts through the legend to reveal the real man behind the myth — a truth reserved for those who knew Elvis intimately.
Speaking candidly from Los Angeles, Priscilla revealed her initial hesitation about Baz Luhrmann’s film Elvis. Luhrmann’s distinctive filmmaking style made her uncertain whether her former husband would be true to life on screen — and how she herself might be portrayed. Her nerves led her to skip the big premieres at first. Yet, after a private screening with longtime Elvis confidant Jerry Schilling, she was utterly won over. “Austin Butler did an amazing job,” she admitted. “He captured Elvis down to a T — his every movement, smirk, walk, even his volatile temper. It was like watching Elvis resurrected. Truly remarkable.”
For Priscilla, the film was no mere performance but a reincarnation, breathing life back into a legend. She revealed that her daughter was moved to tears, a testament to how deeply the portrayal struck those closest to Elvis. Likewise, the actress who played Priscilla, Olivia DeJonge, earned her admiration. “She showed sensitivity to who Elvis was and to his dreams. That’s how I always was with him — so I valued her approach tremendously.”
The conversation turned explosive when Priscilla tackled Elvis’s place in today’s turbulent culture. In an age where the past is pummeled by cancel culture’s harsh spotlight, she vehemently defended Elvis’s character. “He was never racist,” she declared. “He adored Black music, Black culture, with friends like Fats Domino and Sammy Davis Jr.. He was not prejudiced. The idea that society now searches to brand people as disposable would have shocked and saddened him.”
On the question of love, Priscilla was crystal clear: “Yes, Elvis was the great love of my life.” Although their marriage dissolved, their bond remained unbreakable. She reminisced about midnight visits when Elvis would drop by her home, sharing books and heartfelt talks — simple, unpretentious moments away from the prying world. “We were better not married,” she confessed, “but our relationship was always strong, unshakable.”
Reflecting on Elvis’s career frustrations, Priscilla revealed his yearning for serious acting roles over the lightweight Hollywood flicks he was often cast in. Yet despite disappointments, his legacy stood towering. “He strived so hard for perfection, and in many ways, he was one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever seen,” she said warmly.
Priscilla Presley paints Elvis not as a distant mythical icon, but as a deeply human man — flawed, brilliant, passionate, endlessly captivating. Through her heartfelt words, his legacy doesn’t merely survive; it pulsates with life, echoing as vividly as the day he first conquered the stage.
