LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Who knows Elvis better than his only wife Priscilla Presley! While the King of Rock and Roll had been in several relationships before his untimely death in 1977, he exchanged the wedding vows with only one woman - with whom he shared a child too - Priscilla. Several times in her life, she has shared anecdotes of her living with the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ crooner. But one story that has interested his fans always is the singer following conventions in order to ask for his ladylove’s hand from her father.
While Priscilla and Elvis’ relationship started when she was just a teenager, it wasn’t until the ‘All Shook Up’ singer asked for permission, Priscilla’s parents gave their blessings. But Elvis’ legendary charm and his ability to “talk his way out of a paper bag” sealed the deal for young Priscilla.
'He literally was charming'
Priscilla met Elvis when she was just 14 and the iconic musician was 24. While their epic love story started at a tender age, it wasn’t that Elvis took advantage of her. In fact, he did the most chivalrous thing of asking permission from her stepfather Paul Beaulieu. In her ‘Elvis and Me’ memoir, Priscilla narrated Elvis meeting her stepfather. The king sported a uniform to impress his would-be in-laws.
Priscilla recalled her parents asking him whether his intentions about her were pure. To that, he replied, "'Well, sir, I happen to be very fond of her,'" before adding, "'She's a lot more mature than her age and I enjoy her company. It hasn't been easy for me, being away from home and all. It gets kinda lonely. I guess you might say I need someone to talk to. You don't have to worry about her, Captain. I'll take good care of her.'"
In another interview, she gave another aspect of the meeting. In an interview with ABC News as reprinted by Elvis Presley.com.au, delved deeper into the story. She shared that while her parents were hesitant in letting her date Elvis, the ‘Hound Dog’ star easily won over the strict parents. Mother of Elvis’ child said, “Well, after they met Elvis, they…you know, Elvis could talk his way out of a paper bag,” and explained, “I mean, he literally was charming. It threw my parents. They were totally taken aback by him.”
'He molded me into his woman'
After many years of a long-distance relationship, Beaulieu finally allowed Priscilla to go and live with Elvis in his Graceland home when she was 17. In an interview to People, Elvis’ only wife said, they didn’t consummate the marriage as they were saving it for the wedding night. Priscilla said of her ‘Burning Love’ singer husband, "Something in his Southern upbringing had taught him that the 'right' girl was to be saved for marriage. I was that girl. At the same time, he molded me into his woman. I wore the clothes, hairstyle and makeup of his careful choosing."
The young girl also became jealous of sharing the ‘Suspicious Minds’ singer with so many fans. She said, "It was only late in the evening, when we were in his bedroom, that I was truly happy.”
'I lived and breathed him'
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2017, Priscilla opened up about her great love for the king of rock and roll. The septuagenarian then told without hesitation, "He was such an impact in my life, in every way.” She further added, "He was my mentor, he was my confidant. I wrote this in my book [Elvis and Me]. He was everything. In my book I wrote 'my God,' because I lived and breathed him."
