Priscilla Presley has revealed she “knew” what she was getting into when she married Elvis.
The 76-year-old actress says the early days of their marriage were “difficult” but she understood what was in store for her when she met the late King of Rock and Roll – who was one of the greatest heartthrobs of all time – when she was 14 as a schoolgirl in Germany when she was 10 years his junior.
Priscilla told reporters at the launch of the new exhibition “Elvis: Direct From Graceland” at the Bendigo Art Gallery that “the beginning [of the marriage] was very difficult but I knew what was coming because I had seen it at a very young age.’
Truth: Priscilla Presley, 76, has revealed she “knew” what she was getting into when she married Elvis
The ‘Naked Gun’ star said the ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love With You’ hitmaker rumors had been a struggle for her, but her husband, who she divorced in 1973, assured her ‘not’ to take care’.
Priscilla said, “That’s when I started not reading newspapers anymore or [magazines] in the grocery stores.
“I found out how vicious people can be…there were rumors I was pregnant and that’s why he got married and I was like, ‘Oh my god, this isn’t going to be good for me.’
“That’s why it was hard to get accepted. But he always told me, “Don’t pay attention…don’t even listen and don’t look at the tabloids.”
Wedding bells: Priscilla told a host of reporters at the launch of the new ‘Elvis: Direct From Graceland’ exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery: ‘The beginning [of the marriage] was very difficult but I knew what I was getting into because I saw it at a very young age.
Rumours: The ‘Naked Gun’ star said the ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love With You’ hitmaker rumors had been a struggle for her, but she was told by her husband, who she divorced in 1973 assured not to ‘watch out’
“You know what the truth is, so be careful, but be aware”.
Priscilla – who had daughter Lisa Marie, now 54, with Elvis in 1968 – described the late-night dates they had together during their courtship days that resulted in her “not doing well” in school.
On her trips to the cinema, she said: “We would go [Graceland] right after the Johnny Carson monologue and we would go to the theater and sometimes come home at 3 or 4 or 5 in the morning.
Family: Priscilla – who had daughter Lisa Marie, now 54, with Elvis in 1968 – described the late-night dates they had together during their promotional days that resulted in her “not doing well” in school (pictured with her baby daughter in 1968)
Memories: On her trips to the cinema, Priscilla said: “We would go [Graceland] Right after Johnny Carson’s monologue, we would go to the theater and sometimes come home at three, four or five in the morning.
“By the way, I was going to school at the time, so I went to bed and got up at 7:30 a.m. … I didn’t fare well with the grades.”
Priscilla also revealed that Elvis was a bookworm and would read into the wee hours.
She said: “We could get home at two in the morning or later and he would go straight to the books and start reading.
‘And he would read [out loud to me] and I was so tired… and he said, “You’re not listening to me,” and I said [to myself]’Okay, keep your eyes open’.’
Prsicilla said: “We could get home at two in the morning or later and he would go straight to the books and start reading (pictured in 2019).
This comes as the new trailer has been released for Baz Luhrmann’s highly anticipated Elvis biopic, which sees Austin Butler take on the role of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll alongside Tom Hanks, who plays his larger than life manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
The 30-year-old ‘Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood’ star proved an absolute star for the legendary ‘All Shook Up’ hitmaker as he performed some of the late legend’s iconic dance moves.
Elvis hits theaters this summer on June 24, 2022.
Hubba Hubba! The new trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s highly anticipated Elvis biopic has been released (Austin Butler pictured)
Totally transformed: The 30-year-old Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood star turned out to be a dead wrestler for the All Shook Up hitmaker. Elvis is pictured right in 1977
Elvis’ manager: Tom Hanks (left) plays larger-than-life talent manager Colonel Tom Parker, seen right in 1970
In December, Luhrmann had nothing but praise for Butler when he first weighed his portrayal of Presley.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the 59-year-old said he was very impressed with Butler’s portrayal of the legendary singer and felt his performance would put him on the map.
“I’m not going to do anything with Austin,” he said when asked if the film would make him a megastar.
“Austin is going to be a superstar, he’s phenomenal in film.”
“I don’t usually say anything about the performances in my films, but he’s phenomenal.”
He’s a star! Baz Luhrmann, 59, (pictured) had nothing but praise for American actor Austin Butler when he first opened up about his portrayal of Elvis Presley