How Priscilla Presley ‘Freed’ Herself From Being Known as Elvis’ Wife

How Priscilla Presley 'Freed' Herself From Being Known as Elvis Presley's Wife — Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley. Getty Images (2)

Priscilla Presley became an icon in her own right in the decades since her divorce from the late Elvis Presley.

Priscilla, 79, opened up about her life and career during a panel at Rhode Island Comic Con on Friday, November 1, revealing what she thinks helped her establish an identity outside of her famous relationship with Elvis.

“I think [it was] the movies that I’ve done. I think of just, basically, it was my choice,” she told attendees, per People. “The moves I loved and, I mean, [the] Naked Guns. Being on Dallas was great.”

She went on to add: “That really freed me a bit of being my own person.”

Priscilla and Elvis wed in 1967 and welcomed their only child, Lisa Marie Presley, one year later. The exes finalized their divorce in 1973, four years before Elvis died at age 42 of a heart attack. (Lisa Marie, meanwhile, died at age 54 in January 2023.)

Priscilla began her acting career in the ‘80s, playing Jenna Wade on the soap opera Dallas from 1983 to 1988 and starring as Jane Spencer in the Naked Gun spy comedy film trilogy from 1988 to 1991. In recent years, she’s appeared in films and shows such as Wedding at Graceland, Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays and Agent Elvis.

In addition to acting, Priscilla penned several books about her life with her ex-husband, including the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me. She also helped open Elvis’ famous Graceland estate to the public through the foundation of Elvis Presley Enterprises in the ‘80s. (Lisa Marie’s eldest child, daughter Riley Keough, became Graceland’s sole owner following her mother’s death.)

Following her split from Elvis, Priscilla went on to have romantic connections with famous faces such as Robert Kardashian, Richard Gere and Nigel Lythgoe. She welcomed her second child, son Navarone Garibaldi, with ex Marco Garibaldi in 1987.

During a November 2023 Q&A at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas, Priscilla revealed that she “never wanted to marry” anyone after her and Elvis’ separation, adding, “No one could ever match him.”

Priscilla mentioned her former spouse once again while honoring the first anniversary of Lisa Marie’s death earlier this year. “Today is a very solemn day. It’s been a year since your passing and not a day goes by where I don’t think about and miss you,” she wrote via X on January 12. “Rest in peace, Lisa. You are in the arms of your beloved father now. Only that… gives me comfort. Mom.”

She spoke fondly of Elvis during Friday’s Rhode Island Comic Con panel, revealing she enjoys seeing other people’s covers of his iconic songs.

“I think it’s keeping his name out there with the younger people, and I know a lot of people who have taken their kids to see the … what do you call it? Impersonators. And these little kids are loving it,” she stated. “At first, I didn’t like it. Then, I was seeing what’s happening with these kids, young kids who are dressed like Elvis. 5-year-olds. I’m thinking, ‘It’s keeping him in the picture, alive, and so, I don’t mind it.’”