Priscilla Presley to appear on DWTS

Priscilla Presley is probably best known as the only wife of mega superstar Elvis Presley. She has also been a mother, grandmother, model, actress, author, business woman, but her newest claim to fame will be as a contestant on the upcoming season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Priscilla was born Priscilla Ann Wagner on May 24, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York. Her biological father was an Air Force pilot who was killed when Priscilla was still very young. Her mother later married another Air Force pilot, Paul Beaulieu, and Priscilla took his name. The family moved to West Germany, where they were stationed when Elvis Presley was assigned to the Army’s 3rd Armored Division. Priscilla was only 14 years old when she achieved the goal of most girls at the time – she not only met Elvis but also became his girlfriend. At the time, Presley was 24, ten years older.

Priscilla eventually moved to Memphis after Elvis was honorably discharged from the Army and the two eventually married on May 1, 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ only child, was born exactly nine months after the marriage on February 1, 1968. However, the marriage did not last much longer, as Elvis’ touring schedule drew them further and further apart. Elvis and Priscilla separated on February 23, 1972 and finally divorced on October 9, 1973. Elvis died on August 16, 1977. Although Priscilla would have other relationships, she has never married again. Her longest relationships have been with model Mike Edwards (seven years) and screenwriter/director Marco Garibaldi (22 years). Her relationship with Garibaldi produced one son, Navarone, born in 1987.

At the time of his death, the inheritance Elvis left for Lisa Marie totaled, by some accounts, a mere $5 million dollars. It took almost half a million each year in upkeep for Graceland, Elvis’ home. Priscilla became the chairwoman and president of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which oversees the use of Elvis’ image. Priscilla also opened Graceland to tourists in 1982. Under Priscilla’s guidance, the estate of Elvis is worth over $100 million today.

After divorcing Elvis, Priscilla opened her own boutique, which served many celebrities, but after a few years, she decided to take her shot at acting and modeling. She appeared in 73 episodes of “Dallas” as Jenna Wade, 3 episodes of “Melrose Place,” and 2 episodes of “Spin City.” As for movies, she appeared in all three Naked Gun movies and <i>Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery</i>. Priscilla wrote the book “Elvis and Me,” produced the television movie based on the book, and she is now making plans to take that story to Broadway.

She has developed four lines of perfume: Moments, Experiences, Indian Summer, and Roses and More. She also sells her own line of products on the Home Shopping Network. She also developed the Priscilla Presley Collection, a line of bed linens, which debuted in 2006.

Priscilla is involved in many charities including the Dream Foundation, which helps fulfill the dreams of adults battling terminal cancer. She is also involved in the Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights, which fights against the overmedication of children.

Priscilla received an honorary degree from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. The degree recognizes her achievements. She has begun lecturing on the Smart Talk circuit, but she will have to put that on hold for “Dancing with the Stars.”

Bookmark to: