Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Priscilla Ann Presley is an American actress and businessman.
Presley is best known for being the former wife of legendary American singer Elvis Presley. She’s also famous for being the co-founder and former chairperson of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE), a highly successful venture renowned for turning Graceland mansion into one of America’s preeminent tourist attractions.
Priscilla Presley has continually involved herself in other endeavors besides acting and entrepreneurship. They include philanthropy, activism, filmmaking, television producing, and book writing.
Priscilla Presley Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Priscilla Ann Presley |
| Popular Name: | Priscilla Presley |
| Other Names: | Priscilla Wagner, Priscilla Beaulieu, and Priscilla Beaulieu Presley |
| Nicknames: | N/A |
| Birth Date: | May 24, 1945 |
| Age: | 77 years |
| Parents: | James Frederick Wagner and Anna Lillian Iversen |
| Siblings: | 5 younger half-siblings (Donald “Don” Beaulieu, Michelle Beaulieu, Jeffrey “Jeff” Beaulieu, Tomas “Tom” Beaulieu (deceased), and Timothy “Tim” Beaulieu) |
| Birth Place: | New York City, New York, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Mixed (German, Norwegian, Scots-Irish, and English) |
| Religion: | Unknown after recently quitting the Church of Scientology |
| Education: | Del Valle Independent School District, Wiesbaden High School, Immaculate Conception Cathedral High School, and Rhodes College |
| Marital Status: | Divorced; previously married to rock musician Elvis Presley (from 1967 until their divorce in 1972) and was in a long-term relationship with Brazilian computer programmer Marco Garibaldi (from 1984 until their separation in 2006) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Children: | Lisa Marie Presley (with her former husband Elvis Presley) and Navarone Garibaldi (from her relationship with Marco Garibaldi) |
| Net Worth: | USD 50 million |
| Source of Wealth: | ntrepreneurship, Acting, Filmmaking, Television Producing, Book Writing, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 2″ (1.57 m) |
| Weight: | 56 kg; In pounds: 123 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Priscilla Ann Wagner was born on May 24, 1945, in New York City, New York, United States, to James Frederick Wagner and Anna Lillian Iversen. Her father was a US Navy pilot who perished in a plane crash when Priscilla was only six months old.
After the death of Priscilla’s father, her mother married a United States Air Force officer called Paul Beaulieu, with whom she had five children.
Acting Career
Priscilla Presley made her television debut in 1980 by appearing as a co-host of the television show ‘Those Amazing Animals.’ She subsequently made her acting debut in the 1983 television film ‘Love Is Forever.’ The same year, she starred as Sabrina Coldwell in an episode of the series ‘The Fall Guy.’
Presley’s big television break came when she began portraying Jenna Wade in the television series ‘Dallas’ in 1983. She left the show in 1988 after making a total of 143 appearances.
The following are other noteworthy television shows that Priscilla Presley has appeared in over the years;
• The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
• The Naked Gun 2+1?2: The Smell of Fear (1991)
• Tales from the Crypt (1993)
• Naked Gun 33+1?3: The Final Insult (1994)
• Melrose Place (1996)
• Touched by an Angel (1997)
• Spin City (1999)
Writing Career
Priscilla Presley authored her first book in 1985, an autobiography titled ‘Elvis and Me.’
She has since followed up with one more book, ‘Presley, Lisa Marie,’ published in 2005.
Philanthropy and Activism
As a philanthropist, Priscilla Presley is best known for being the Ambassador of a Santa Barbara wish-granting organization for the terminally ill known as the Dream Foundation.
And as an activist, Presley is known for her outspoken views against the Tennessee Ag-Gag Bill.
Business Career and Net Worth
Priscilla Presley launched his first business venture in 1973, called Bis & Beau. The business was a joint venture with her stylist friend Olivia Bis.
Bis & Beau became an instant success. Among the shop’s noteworthy patrons included Diana Ross, Mary Tyler Moore, Barbra Streisand, and Michelle Phillips.
Following Elvis Presley’s death in 1977 and his father Vernon’s death two years later, Priscilla and her daughter Lisa Marie became the primary heirs of both Elvis and Vernon’s estate. However, her fortunes didn’t change overnight. On the contrary, Priscilla experienced challenges managing her husband and father-in-law’s properties. That included the iconic Graceland mansion.
Staring at the prospect of selling Graceland, Priscilla Presley used the earnings from Elvis Presley Enterprises to convert the mansion into a tourist attraction. The little museum was formally opened to the public on June 7, 1982, and quickly garnered national attention. Within a few months of its unveiling, the Graceland project had broken even.
Priscilla later became the chairwoman and president of EPE. She remained in those positions until her daughter Lisa Marie reached 21 years.
Priscilla Presley continued to engage in other businesses after stepping down from her roles in EPE. She released more clothing lines and also worked as a filmmaker and television producer.
As at November 1, 2022, Presley had a net worth of $50 million. That’s enough to make her the richest of the Presley heirs.
Lessons from Priscilla Presley
1. Fight for your love
Priscilla’s romance with Elvis Presley was nothing short of a fairy tale. As soon as the two developed chemistry, rumors began swirling about Presley’s numerous affairs. However, Priscilla brushed all these aside and viciously fought for a man she thought was the love of her life.
2. Know when to quit
After fighting for her love for years, Priscilla Presley could no longer put up with her husband’s infidelity. Although she still loved him and continues to refer to him endearingly as “the love of my life,” it was time to quit the marriage and move on.
3. Successful careers are those borne of passion
Most of the personal and professional ventures that Priscilla Presley has pursued over the years were inspired by sheer passion. Presley is noted for turning down an acting role on ‘Charlie’s Angels’ citing her dislike for the show.
Famous Quotes by Priscilla Presley
• I like the creative aspect of developing a project.
• Inner beauty should be the most important part of improving one’s self.
• No one has really heard my side of the story, the adventure we had together, the transformation that I had going from a schoolgirl to a woman overnight.
• There’s been a big void out there, in terms of where I’ve been and what I am currently working on, I’d like to fill that void now and share my exciting plans for the future.
Summary
Priscila Presley may have shot into the limelight courtesy of her marriage to rock star Elvis Presley. But after divorcing Elvis in 1972, Priscilla went on to build her own reputation as one of America’s most successful actresses and entrepreneurs.
