Speculation continues about the relationship between Elvis Presley and Priscilla, 63 years after the couple first met in Germany. There is increased interest in the couple with the success of the Baz Luhrmann film. Elvis, which documents Presley's life and stars Austin Butler as the King of Rock and Roll. However, Presley sidestepped an issue that could have ruined her and Priscilla's relationship by breaking a promise he made to her parents that could have led to him walking out of her life for good.
How did Elvis Presley and Priscilla meet?
Elvis was stationed in Germany as a US Army soldier when he met Priscilla at her rental house near the Bad Nauheim Army base.
ME! News reported that the couple's first conversation revolved around his age.
The star asked him: “Well, what do we have here? What are you, about a junior or senior in high school? When she told him that he was in the ninth grade, he chuckled and said, "Well, you're just a baby."
To impress Priscilla, Presley sat down at a piano located in the house and began to sing.
"I saw Elvis trying to get my attention," Priscilla told E! News.
Elvis Presley broke a promise to Priscilla's parents when it seemed their relationship got serious
Presley was 24 years old and Priscilla was 14 when they began a relationship that continued after their return to the United States. Priscilla remained in Germany with her parents.
In 1960, Presley returned to the United States, and Parker capitalized on his military image by pushing the singer to star in 31 movies.
During this time, Priscilla and Presley continued to keep in touch. Soon, the singer planned to have Priscilla visit him at his Graceland home in Memphis, TN.
During a school break, Priscilla joined Presley and his family. However, after assuring Priscilla's parents that she would remain in Memphis during her visit, he reportedly took her to Los Angeles. Presley's friends covered up for the king by sending postcards to the teenager's parents from Memphis to trick them into covering up his broken promise.
After a Christmas visit in 1962, Presley longed to have Priscilla by his side permanently.
Presley assured Priscilla's mother, Ann, and her stepfather, Captain Paul Beaulieu, that she would attend a Catholic school in Memphis and earn a high school diploma.
He also promised that Priscilla would live with her father Vernon Presley and his new wife Dee in her house off the Graceland estate.
However, after several nights living with Vernon and Dee, Priscilla began to spend more and more time at Graceland. She finally moved out permanently without her parents suspecting any wrongdoing.
Elvis and Priscilla married in 1967
Before Christmas 1966, Presley proposed to Priscilla with a three 1/2-carat diamond surrounded by 20 more diamonds, designed by Memphis jeweler Harry Levitch.
On May 1, 1967, Frank Sinatra lent his private jet to the couple so they could fly from Palm Springs, NV, to Las Vegas to obtain their marriage license.
Presley and Priscilla were married in a room at the Aladdin Hotel in front of 14 people. Nevada Supreme Court Justice David Zenoff officiated the ceremony.
