Elvis Presley continues to captivate audiences long after his passing, and his former wife, Priscilla Presley, has addressed the circulating rumors about the legendary singer.
When a prominent figure passes away, devoted fans often find it hard to accept that they are truly gone. Figures like Michael Jackson and Elvis have been at the center of speculation and conspiracy theories questioning whether they are actually deceased.
Being constantly asked if her former husband is still alive must be quite frustrating for Priscilla, yet the theories persist. Many claim that Elvis faked his death in 1977 at the age of 42 to escape the overwhelming pressures of fame.
In a recent interview, Priscilla spoke about these rumors regarding the King of Rock and Roll, and she provided some clarity. She told PEOPLE: “There’s been so much that’s untruthful out there — things like Elvis is still alive and hidden somewhere.” Sadly, she added: “I wish he was still alive,” echoing the sentiments of countless other fans.
Reflecting on a past interview from 2005 with Entertainment Tonight, Priscilla recounted a distressing moment: “I got a call. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. I couldn’t pinpoint it because Lisa was supposed to come home that day. After all, Elvis was going out on tour,” she remembered.
Priscilla continued, describing her frantic return home: “I raced home. I think I ran every red light there was trying to get to my house.” She likened the experience to a horror movie, with the phone incessantly ringing as she struggled to open the door.
It was Elvis’ road manager, Joe Esposito, on the line: “I was praying that the phone didn’t stop ringing, and I get to the phone, and it’s Joe Esposito.” She vividly recalled the moment: “It was forever for him to tell me, and then he said, ‘It’s Elvis.’ I knew right then and there that something horrible had happened.”
“When he told me he was dead, it was like waking up from a nightmare, hoping to wake up and say, ‘This is a joke,’” she recounted.
Priscilla and Elvis were married from 1967 to 1973, having met in 1959 when Priscilla was just 14-years-old. Together, they had a daughter, Lisa Marie.
Reflecting on her past, Priscilla said, “I met him at such a young age I didn’t have time to think about life yet. Even when dating him, I’d think, ‘What am I going to do? I don’t want to be a nurse. I don’t want to be a teacher. I don’t want to be a secretary. What can I do?’ Other things happened, and I love every moment.”
Priscilla has authored a book titled “Softly, as I Leave You: Life After Elvis,” sharing more about her life following the legendary icon’s passing.