Priscilla Presley is opening her heart about her late daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, weaving together poignant recollections of both cherished childhood moments and the turbulent chapters of her adult life. Speaking at New York City’s 92Y on Wednesday, September 24, the 80-year-old actress and businesswoman offered an intimate glimpse into her new memoir, *Softly, as I Leave You: Life After Elvis*. During the conversation, she reflected on how deeply Lisa Marie embraced the Presley name. When questioned whether her daughter ever yearned for a different surname, Priscilla responded, “No, she loved her name.” She recalled with a warm laugh how, as a mere nine or ten-year-old, Lisa Marie would proudly introduce herself, declaring, “You know, I’m Lisa Presley. Do you know who my dad is?”—already fully aware of the immense legacy her name carried.
Priscilla also shared a more vulnerable side of her daughter’s childhood, revealing how profoundly Lisa Marie mourned the loss of her father, Elvis Presley, who passed away in 1977 when she was just nine. “I discovered a letter she had written, essentially to herself,” Priscilla shared, her voice softening. “It expressed how deeply she missed her dad. It truly broke my heart because that bond they shared meant everything to her. He played such a significant role in her life. It was incredibly heartbreaking.”
In her memoir, Priscilla doesn’t shy away from addressing Lisa Marie’s brief marriage to Michael Jackson, describing the 1994 union as deeply troubling and even “appalling.” She expressed her belief that Jackson was more captivated by the Presley family name than by Lisa Marie herself, labeling him “manipulative” and recalling how he had set his sights on her daughter long before Lisa Marie even recognized his intentions. By the time Lisa Marie filed for divorce in 1996, Priscilla admitted to feeling a profound sense of relief, writing in her memoir, “I could practically hear Elvis sigh with relief.”
Through her memories and reflections, Priscilla continues to honor her daughter’s legacy, celebrating both the joy Lisa Marie found in being a proud Presley and the struggles she faced along her journey.
