Early Life and Education of Priscilla Presley: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Priscilla Presley. From birth to education, explore key events.

Priscilla Presley is an American actress and businesswoman, best known as the ex-wife of Elvis Presley. She co-founded Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) and transformed Graceland into a major tourist destination. As an actress, she starred in the Naked Gun film series alongside Leslie Nielsen and played Jenna Wade in the television series Dallas.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

August 10, 1944: Ann Iversen and James Frederick Wagner Married

On August 10, 1944, Ann Iversen married US Navy pilot James Frederick Wagner, after dating for more than three years. James Wagner is Priscilla Presley's biological father.

May 24, 1945: Priscilla Presley Born

On May 24, 1945, Priscilla Ann Wagner was born in Brooklyn, New York. She later became known as an American businesswoman and actress, and the ex-wife of Elvis Presley.

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November 3, 1945: Death of James Frederick Wagner

On November 3, 1945, James Frederick Wagner, Priscilla Presley's biological father, died in a plane crash.

1948: Ann Iversen Married Paul Beaulieu

In 1948, Priscilla's mother, Ann Iversen, married United States Air Force officer Paul Beaulieu, who raised Priscilla as his own daughter.

April 17, 1950: Priscilla's Surname Changed to Beaulieu

On April 17, 1950, Priscilla's surname was legally changed from Wagner to Beaulieu, reflecting her stepfather Paul Beaulieu's name.

1956: Family Settled in Del Valle, Texas Before Moving to Germany

In 1956, the Beaulieu family settled in Del Valle, Texas, but soon after, Paul Beaulieu was transferred to Wiesbaden, West Germany, which upset Priscilla due to having to leave friends behind.

September 13, 1959: Priscilla Met Elvis Presley

On September 13, 1959, 14-year-old Priscilla met 24-year-old Elvis Presley at a party at his villa in Bad Nauheim, West Germany, during his military service.

March 2, 1960: Elvis's Departure from West Germany

March 2, 1960, marked the departure of Elvis Presley from West Germany, ending his frequent meetings with Priscilla during his military service.

1962: Priscilla Visited Elvis in Los Angeles

In the summer of 1962, Priscilla's parents permitted her to visit Elvis in Los Angeles for two weeks, under the conditions that Elvis paid for a first-class round trip ticket and arranged for her to be chaperoned at all times.

March 1963: Priscilla Moved to Memphis

In mid-March 1963, Priscilla moved to Memphis to live with Elvis's father and stepmother, two months before her 18th birthday, with the agreement that she would eventually marry Elvis.

May 1963: Priscilla Graduated High School

In May 1963, Priscilla graduated from the Immaculate Conception High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Memphis.

1966: Elvis Proposed to Priscilla

Shortly before Christmas in 1966, Elvis proposed to Priscilla, reportedly after being reminded of the RCA "morals clause" by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

May 1, 1967: Priscilla and Elvis Married

On May 1, 1967, Priscilla and Elvis Presley married at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas in a short ceremony arranged by Colonel Tom Parker.

1967: Marriage to Elvis Presley

In 1967, Priscilla Beaulieu married Elvis Presley.

February 1, 1968: Lisa Marie Presley Born

On February 1, 1968, Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Priscilla and Elvis, was born exactly nine months after their wedding.

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1968: Priscilla's Affair with Dance Instructor

Around 1968, during the filming of Live a Little, Love a Little, Priscilla began taking private dance lessons and had a short affair with her instructor, Mark, as detailed in her autobiography.

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1968: Elvis's Career Revival and Marital Challenges

Following Elvis's 1968 television special, his career took off again, leading to constant touring and affairs, while Priscilla stayed home to care for their daughter, causing marital challenges.

February 24, 1972: Priscilla and Elvis Separated

On February 24, 1972, Priscilla and Elvis separated, marking a significant turning point in their relationship.

1972: Priscilla's Affair with Mike Stone

In 1972, Priscilla began taking karate lessons from Mike Stone, a karate instructor she met at one of Elvis's concerts. She soon began an affair with him.

January 8, 1973: Elvis Filed for Divorce

On January 8, 1973, Elvis filed for divorce from Priscilla on his 38th birthday.

October 9, 1973: Priscilla and Elvis's Divorce Finalized

On October 9, 1973, Priscilla and Elvis's divorce was finalized, legally ending their marriage.

1973: Divorce from Elvis Presley

In 1973, Priscilla Presley divorced Elvis Presley.

1973: Priscilla Interview with Ladies' Home Journal

In 1973, Priscilla suggested in an interview with Ladies' Home Journal, that she and Elvis were happy living together, but it wasn't considered appropriate at the time.

1973: Priscilla Opened Bis & Beau Clothing Boutique

In 1973, Priscilla, following her separation from her husband, set up a clothing boutique in Los Angeles called Bis & Beau with her friend and stylist Olivia Bis.

1975: Relationship with Mike Stone Ended

By 1975, Priscilla's romantic relationship with karate instructor Mike Stone had ended.

1976: Closure of Bis & Beau

In 1976, Priscilla's clothing boutique, Bis & Beau, closed its doors.

1977: Death of Elvis Presley

After Elvis's death in 1977, his father Vernon became one of the executors of his estate, held in trust for Lisa Marie.

1978: Relationship with Michael Edwards Began

In 1978, Priscilla began a six-year intermittent live-in relationship with model Michael Edwards.

1979: Priscilla Assumed Role as Executor of Elvis's Estate

Following Vernon Presley's death in 1979, Priscilla assumed the role of executor of Elvis's estate.

June 7, 1982: Graceland Opened to the Public

On June 7, 1982, Graceland was opened to the public as a tourist attraction under Priscilla's guidance, successfully revitalizing Elvis's estate.

1984: Met Marco Antonio Garcia

In 1984, Priscilla met Brazilian screenwriter Marco Antonio Garcia, who later became her partner for 22 years, after he wrote a script that she read, hoping to produce.

1985: Elvis and Me was released

In 1985 Priscilla's autobiography, Elvis and Me, was released.

March 1, 1987: Navarone Garibaldi Born

On March 1, 1987, Priscilla and Marco Antonio Garcia welcomed their son, Navarone Garibaldi.

Others born on this day/year

1998: Doctor of Humanities

In 1998, Priscilla Presley was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities by Rhodes College.

2003: Dream Foundation Ambassador

Since 2003, Priscilla Presley has been the Ambassador of the Dream Foundation, a Santa Barbara-based wish-granting organization.

2006: Bed Linens Debut & Narconon Inauguration

In 2006, Priscilla Presley debuted her worldwide line of bed linens called the Priscilla Presley Collection in Sydney, Australia. She also helped inaugurate Narconon's Stonehawk Rehabilitation Center in Michigan in 2006.

2006: Narconon's Stonehawk Rehabilitation Center Inauguration

In 2006, Priscilla Presley helped inaugurate Narconon's Stonehawk Rehabilitation Center in Michigan.

2006: Relationship with Marco Antonio Garcia Ended

In 2006, Priscilla ended her 22-year relationship with Marco Antonio Garcia.

April 27, 2012: American Queen Godmother

On April 27, 2012, Priscilla Presley was named godmother of the largest river steamboat ever built, American Queen, in Memphis.

2013: Opposing Agricultural Gag Law

In 2013, Priscilla Presley spoke out against an agricultural gag law that would criminalize unauthorized filming on farms, expressing concerns about animal cruelty investigations in a letter to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.

2016: Lisa Marie Left Scientology

By 2016, Lisa Marie Presley left Scientology, and it was reported that Priscilla had also distanced herself from the church at the same time.

October 2017: Denial of Departure from Scientology

In October 2017, Priscilla Presley's representative denied that she had left the Church of Scientology.

2022: Presley Became Great-Grandmother

In 2022, Priscilla became a great-grandmother through her granddaughter, Riley Keough.

January 12, 2023: Death of Lisa Marie Presley

On January 12, 2023, Priscilla's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, died at the age of 54 after suffering cardiac arrest and complications of bariatric surgery.