On October 9, 1973, Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley officially ended their marriage after six years. Their relationship had been one of the most talked-about love stories in the world, but it came to a quiet end in a Los Angeles courtroom. Despite their separation, they remained on good terms, and their divorce was an amicable one.
Elvis and Priscilla first met in 1959 when Elvis was stationed in Germany during his Army service. At the time, Priscilla was just 14 years old, while Elvis was 24. Despite their age difference, they quickly developed a strong bond. After years of long-distance communication, Priscilla moved to the United States, and the couple eventually married on May 1, 1967, in a private ceremony in Las Vegas. Their wedding attracted widespread media attention, and the birth of their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968 seemed to complete the picture of a happy family.
However, their marriage soon began to face challenges. Elvis’s demanding career, long absences, and personal struggles, including infidelity, put a strain on their relationship. Priscilla, feeling the pressure of being in the spotlight and wanting more independence, also had an affair with her karate instructor, Mike Stone. By July 1972, the couple decided to separate, and the divorce proceedings followed soon after.
When the divorce was finalized on October 9, 1973, the terms were considered amicable. Priscilla received $725,000 in cash, spousal and child support, a share of their property, and joint custody of Lisa Marie. Despite the end of their marriage, both Elvis and Priscilla remained close, co-parenting their daughter and supporting each other.
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After the divorce, Elvis’s health began to decline, and he passed away in August 1977. Priscilla went on to become a successful actress and businesswoman and played a key role in managing Elvis’s estate after his death. Their marriage, though brief and filled with challenges, remains a significant chapter in the story of Elvis Presley’s life and legacy.