Priscilla Presley has opened up about a surprising chapter in her past, revealing that Robert Kardashian once proposed to her. However, she declined his offer, stating that her heart belonged to Elvis Presley.
The 80-year-old actress and entrepreneur discusses this poignant moment in her newfound memoir, Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis. In this candid account, she sheds light on the complicated aftermath of her marriage to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, which ended in 1973, offering insights that have yet to be revealed in detail.
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A Marriage Proposal from Robert Kardashian
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Presley recounts Kardashian’s desire to build a life together.
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Two years following her separation from Elvis, who was notorious for his infidelities and battles with prescription drugs, Presley entered into a relationship with Kardashian, an ambitious attorney in Los Angeles, years before his children Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, and Rob made their mark on reality television.
A confidant of Presley shared: “Robert was genuinely interested in spending his life with her, yet Priscilla’s feelings remained anchored to Elvis. She was still deeply in love, which made it challenging for her to fully embrace a new relationship.” In her memoir, Presley reflects, “Robert was a wonderful man, and I had feelings for him. However, I knew I couldn’t commit. My heart was still with Elvis. I have always loved him, and I likely always will. I didn’t leave him out of lack of love; I left because I could no longer endure the lifestyle.”
Presley first met Elvis in 1959 when she was just 14, and he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. They married in 1967 but separated six years later due to Elvis’s controlling tendencies and infidelities that strained their marriage.
Reflecting on their time together, she shares he dictated her image — from her clothing to her hairstyle — effectively controlling her public persona as his spouse.
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Living a Dual Life
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The legendary Elvis was deemed ‘controlling’ by Presley.
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Even after her split from Elvis, Priscilla felt his presence looming large over her life. During her brief romance with Kardashian, she recounts a frightening moment when Elvis called her at 2 a.m. while she was in bed with Robert, provoking anxiety over being exposed. “Robert had no idea how much Elvis still consumed my mind,” a friend remarked. “Priscilla felt she was leading a double life.”
The relationship with Kardashian was short-lived, lasting only a year; Priscilla admits to feeling discontent and straying from the relationship. Following him, she dated actor Michael Edwards, and Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, who once invited her to his hotel room, a proposition she turned down, explaining that Iglesias reminded her too much of Elvis. She also refutes rumors of an affair with American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, describing him as nothing more than a “dear friend.”
Presley recalls her relationships often ending poorly, illustrating a particular instance involving a celebrity hairdresser who exhibited obsessive jealousy, and how Edwards embarrassed her by arriving at a restaurant clad only in a napkin.
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Presley maintains her enduring emotions for Elvis despite past traumas.
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Presley’s memoir also delves into her relationship with her daughter, Lisa Marie, who tragically passed away in January 2023 at the age of 54. She recounts the heart-wrenching decision to withdraw her from life support after medical professionals informed her of Lisa Marie’s grave prognosis. The emotional toll left her fainting as she exited the hospital. Priscilla also mentions her granddaughter, Riley Keough, who is now overseeing Lisa Marie’s estate following a prior legal resolution.
She reflects proudly on her granddaughter’s strength, stating, “Riley has always proven to be a powerhouse.”
The book culminates with Presley sharing her feelings of loss, expressing, “Every morning I awaken to the realization that a significant part of me is gone forever.”
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Revelations of Abuse
RadarOnline.com has disclosed that Presley’s memoir alleges that Elvis subjected her to instances of abusive behavior, describing one event as a forced sexual encounter that left her deeply traumatized. She recounts how, after Elvis discovered her relationship with her karate instructor, Mike Stone, he retaliated violently, forcing himself upon her in a manner she describes as reminiscent of a “karate master.” This traumatic memory lingers, representing the painful conclusion to her intimate moments with him.
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In her memoir, Presley discusses a harrowing encounter alongside memories of Elvis.
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