Priscilla Presley has shared her candid thoughts on her daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s marriage to pop icon Michael Jackson in her upcoming memoir, “Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis.” In excerpts published by The Sun, Priscilla, 80, reveals her disapproval of the union, admitting she was “appalled” when they wed in 1994.
Priscilla admits she questioned Lisa Marie about the nature of her relationship with Jackson, expressing her doubts about their physical connection. She writes, “Like so many people, I wasn’t sure. She said ‘yeah.’” Despite the marriage lasting only two years, Priscilla believed Jackson was more interested in the Presley legacy than her daughter. “I knew in my bones that Michael wasn’t marrying Lisa Marie; he was marrying the Presley dynasty,” she writes, describing him as a “manipulative man” with ulterior motives.
Her reflections delve into Jackson’s public persona, which she asserts was a “childlike innocence” masking other intentions. “I could practically hear Elvis sigh with relief,” she notes, after the marriage dissolved.
Following her split from Jackson, Lisa Marie had other significant relationships and marriages, including with Danny Keough, actor Nicolas Cage, and Michael Lockwood. Her personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy, including the birth of her children and the devastating loss of her son Benjamin in 2020. Lisa Marie passed away in January 2023 at the age of 54.
Jackson, on the other hand, moved on to marry Debbie Rowe and became a father to three children. The King of Pop died tragically in 2009 due to acute propofol intoxication.
In her posthumously released memoir, Lisa Marie reminisces about her time with Jackson, sharing the revelation of his promise of love and commitment. She recounts their bond and the progression of their relationship, revealing Jackson’s insistence on embracing intimacy early on, contrary to her expectations.
Priscilla’s memoir, set to release on September 23, is expected to provide deeper insights into both the Presleys’ storied past and the complexities of their family dynamics, as well as shedding light on Lisa Marie’s untimely demise. With this memoir, Priscilla offers a poignant look back into the life and challenges faced by her family, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Presleys while sharing her personal reflections on moments both cherished and challenging.