History of Priscilla Presley in Timeline

Priscilla Presley is an American actress and businesswoman, best known as the ex-wife of Elvis Presley and for her role in building Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) and turning Graceland into a major tourist attraction. Her acting career includes roles in the Naked Gun film trilogy and the television series Dallas. She cofounded EPE and served as its chairperson, demonstrating her entrepreneurial skills in preserving and promoting Elvis's legacy.

Sections (4)

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

August 10, 1944: Ann Iversen and James Wagner Married

On August 10, 1944, Ann Iversen married James Frederick Wagner, who was Priscilla's biological father. They had been dating for more than three years.

May 24, 1945: Priscilla Presley Born

On May 24, 1945, Priscilla Ann Wagner was born. She is an American businesswoman and actress, and ex-wife of Elvis Presley.

Others born on this day/year

November 3, 1945: James Wagner's Death

On November 3, 1945, James Frederick Wagner, Priscilla's 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.

April 17, 1950: Surname Changed to Beaulieu

On April 17, 1950, Priscilla's surname was legally changed from Wagner to Beaulieu.

1955: Image featured on Elvis "forever" stamp

In 2015 the U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan and Priscilla Presley dedicated an Elvis "forever" stamp, which featured a 1955 black-and-white image shot by photographer William Speer.

1956: Family Settled in Del Valle, Texas

In 1956, Priscilla's family settled in Del Valle, Texas, before relocating to Wiesbaden, West Germany.

September 13, 1959: Priscilla Met Elvis

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

March 2, 1960: Elvis Departs West Germany

On March 2, 1960, Elvis Presley departed from West Germany, concluding his military service there, after which he returned to the United States.

1962: Priscilla Visited Elvis in Los Angeles

In the summer of 1962, Priscilla visited Elvis in Los Angeles, with her parents' permission under strict conditions, including chaperones and daily letters home.

March 1963: Priscilla Moved to Memphis

In mid-March 1963, Priscilla's parents allowed her to move to Memphis, two months before her 18th birthday, with the understanding that she would marry Elvis.

May 1963: Priscilla Lived at Graceland

By May 1963, Priscilla had her permanent residence at Graceland. Her parents agreed to her living there, on the condition that Elvis promise to marry her.

1965: Tom Jones Became Friends with Elvis

In 1965, Tom Jones became friends with Elvis Presley, leading to a lasting friendship with Priscilla.

1966: Elvis Proposed to Priscilla

Shortly before Christmas of 1966, Elvis proposed to Priscilla, influenced by his manager's reminder of the RCA "morals clause."

May 1, 1967: Priscilla and Elvis Married

On May 1, 1967, Priscilla and Elvis were married at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas in a ceremony arranged by Elvis's manager for publicity.

1967: Marriage to Elvis Presley

Priscilla Presley was married to Elvis Presley from 1967.

February 1, 1968: Lisa Marie Presley Born

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

1968: Elvis' Career Took Off Again

Following his 1968 television special, Elvis' career took off again, leading to constant touring and performances in Las Vegas.

1968: Affair with Dance Instructor

In 1968, Priscilla began taking private dance lessons and had a short affair with her instructor, known as Mark in her book.

February 24, 1972: Priscilla and Elvis Separated

On February 24, 1972, Priscilla and Elvis separated.

1972: Affair with Mike Stone

In 1972, Priscilla began an affair with Mike Stone, a karate instructor she met at one of Elvis's concerts.

January 8, 1973: Elvis Filed for Divorce

On January 8, 1973, Elvis filed for divorce from Priscilla to protect her privacy.

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

On October 9, 1973, the divorce between Priscilla and Elvis was finalized.

1973: Opened Bis & Beau Boutique

In 1973, Priscilla opened a clothing boutique in Los Angeles called Bis & Beau with her friend and stylist Olivia Bis.

1973: Priscilla Interview with Ladies' Home Journal

In 1973, Priscilla stated in an interview with Ladies' Home Journal that she and Elvis were happy just living together, but societal norms influenced their decision to marry.

1973: Divorce from Elvis Presley

Priscilla Presley was divorced from Elvis Presley to 1973.

1975: Broke up with Mike Stone

In 1975, Priscilla broke up with karate instructor Mike Stone.

1976: Bis & Beau Closed

In 1976, Priscilla's clothing shop, Bis & Beau, closed.

1977: Death of Elvis Presley

In 1977, Elvis Presley died, leading to his father Vernon becoming an executor of his estate. Vernon later named Priscilla as his successor.

1978: Relationship with Michael Edwards Began

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

1979: Vernon Presley's Death

Following Vernon Presley's death in 1979, Priscilla Presley assumed the role of executor of Elvis Presley's estate, facing the challenge of managing Graceland's upkeep and preserving Lisa Marie's inheritance.

1979: Portrayal in 'Elvis' TV Movie

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Season Hubley in the 1979 TV movie 'Elvis'.

1980: Television Debut

In 1980, Priscilla Presley made her television debut as co-host of 'Those Amazing Animals'.

June 7, 1982: Graceland Opens to the Public

On June 7, 1982, Graceland opened to the public as a tourist attraction under Priscilla Presley's direction, quickly recovering its investment within a month.

1983: First Professional Acting Role

In 1983, Priscilla Presley had her first professional acting role on 'The Fall Guy' and also appeared in the television film 'Love is Forever'.

1984: Met Marco Antonio Garcia

In 1984, Priscilla met Brazilian screenwriter Marco Antonio Garcia (a.k.a. Marco Garibaldi), who she would later have a 22 year relationship with.

1985: Decline of Bond Girl Role

In 1985, Priscilla Presley was offered but had to decline the role of Stacey Sutton in 'A View to a Kill' due to scheduling conflicts.

1985: Elvis and Me Published

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

March 1, 1987: Navarone Garibaldi Born

On March 1, 1987, Priscilla and Marco Antonio Garcia's son, Navarone Garibaldi, was born.

1988: Publication of Priscilla, Elvis, and Me

In 1988, Michael Edwards published "Priscilla, Elvis, and Me", detailing his relationship with Priscilla.

1988: Fragrance Launch: Moments

In 1988, Priscilla Presley launched her first fragrance, 'Moments', marking the beginning of her venture into the perfume industry.

1988: Starring in 'The Naked Gun'

In 1988, Priscilla Presley starred opposite Leslie Nielsen in 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!' as Jane Spencer, receiving praise for her performance.

1988: Departure from Dallas

In 1988, after five years, Priscilla Presley left the show 'Dallas'.

1988: Portrayal in 'Elvis and Me'

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Susan Walters in the 1988 TV miniseries 'Elvis and Me'.

1990: Acting in 'The Adventures of Ford Fairlane'

In 1990, Priscilla Presley acted in 'The Adventures of Ford Fairlane' with Andrew Dice Clay.

1991: Acting in 'The Naked Gun 2 1/2'

In 1991, Priscilla Presley acted in 'The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear'.

1993: First Elvis Stamp

In 1993, Priscilla Presley dedicated the first Elvis stamp, which became the most popular stamp in the Postal Service's history.

1993: Fragrance Launch: Experiences

In 1993, Priscilla Presley released her second fragrance called 'Experiences', solidifying her presence in the fragrance market.

1993: Portrayal in 'Elvis and the Colonel'

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Kehli O'Byrnein in the 1993 TV movie 'Elvis and the Colonel'.

1994: Acting in 'Naked Gun 33 1/3'

In 1994, Priscilla Presley acted in 'Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult'.

1996: Fragrance Launch: Indian Summer

In 1996, Priscilla Presley released her fragrance called 'Indian Summer', further expanding her collection of perfumes.

1997: Portrayal in 'Elvis Meets Nixon'

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Alyson Court in 'Elvis Meets Nixon' in 1997.

1998: Fragrance Launch: Roses and More

In 1998, Priscilla Presley released her fragrance called 'Roses and More', continuing her successful line of perfumes.

1998: Doctor of Humanities Degree

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

September 2000: Election to MGM Board

In September 2000, Priscilla Presley was elected to the board of directors at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

2003: Lisa Marie's Playboy Interview

In 2003, Lisa Marie stated in a Playboy interview that Edwards was sexually inappropriate with her throughout Priscilla's relationship with him.

2003: Ambassador of the Dream Foundation

Since 2003, Priscilla Presley has been the Ambassador of the Dream Foundation, a wish-granting organization for terminally ill adults and their families.

2006: Priscilla Presley Collection Debut

In 2006, Priscilla Presley debuted her worldwide line of bed linens, called the Priscilla Presley Collection, in Sydney, Australia, in partnership with designer Bruno Schiavi.

2006: Inauguration of Narconon's Stonehawk Rehabilitation Center

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

2006: Ended Relationship with Marco Antonio Garcia

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

2006: Started Dating Nigel Lythgoe

In 2006, Priscilla started dating British TV executive Nigel Lythgoe.

2006: Portrayal in 'Elvis' TV Miniseries

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Antonia Barnath in the 2006 TV miniseries 'Elvis'.

2009: Ended Relationship with Nigel Lythgoe

In 2009, Priscilla's relationship with Nigel Lythgoe ended.

April 27, 2012: Godmother of American Queen

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

2012: Pantomime Debut

During Christmas of 2012, Priscilla Presley made her pantomime debut in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in Wimbledon, London.

2013: Speaking Out Against Agricultural Gag Law

In 2013, Priscilla Presley spoke out against a 2013 agricultural gag law, expressing concerns about its impact on animal cruelty investigations.

2014: Reprising Role in Snow White

In 2014, Priscilla Presley reprised her role as the Wicked Queen in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' at the Manchester Opera House.

2015: Executive Producer of 'If I Can Dream'

In 2015, Priscilla Presley became the executive producer of the album 'If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra'.

2016: Lisa Marie Leaves Scientology

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

2016: Portrayal in 'Shangri-La Suite'

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Ashley Greene in 'Shangri-La Suite' in 2016.

October 2017: Denial of Leaving Scientology

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

2018: Distinguished Citizen Award

In 2018, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl chose Priscilla Presley as its Distinguished Citizen Award winner.

August 16, 2019: Announcement of 'Agent Elvis' Series

On August 16, 2019, it was announced that Priscilla Presley, in conjunction with John Eddie and Sony Pictures, would create and produce 'Agent Elvis', a Netflix animated series.

June 15, 2022: 'Agent Elvis' Teaser Publication

On June 15, 2022, the first teaser for 'Agent Elvis' was published on the official Elvis Instagram account.

July 22, 2022: Honored by Theatre Memphis

On July 22, 2022, Theatre Memphis honored Priscilla Presley's contributions to Memphis art and tourism with a gala.

2022: Became a Great-Grandmother

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

2022: Portrayal in 'Elvis' Movie

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Olivia DeJonge in the 2022 'Elvis' movie.

January 12, 2023: Lisa Marie Presley's Death

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

2023: Portrayal in 'Priscilla' Movie

Since 1979, Priscilla Presley has been portrayed in several films focusing on her life with Elvis, including Cailee Spaeny in the 2023 'Priscilla' movie.