Priscilla Presley Reveals Elvis Presley’s Dislike for a Hairstyle in Her Memoir
Priscilla Presley shares her journey of dressing and styling to fit Elvis Presley’s preferences — including her hairstyle — in her latest memoir.
In Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis, released on Tuesday, September 23, she reflects, “Discovering who I was outside of Elvis was sometimes confusing, but it was also an adventure.” She recalled, “As a teenager, I embraced Elvis’ identity.”
She further elaborated, “Now, I could part my hair in the middle if I chose to. Elvis always disliked a middle part, but the decision was mine now.”
At 80, Priscilla first met the rock legend when she was just 14, though their physical relationship began after they married in May 1967 when she turned 21.
They welcomed a daughter, the late Lisa Marie Presley, in February 1968. By the time Lisa Marie was 4, Priscilla decided to carve her own path, filing for divorce in 1972, finalizing it the following year.
She recalled that while they were married, seeing Elvis’ eyes light up when she wore something he liked was a joy, mentioning how she often donned heels, which he found “sexy.”
After their separation, Priscilla embraced a new sense of style, experimenting with trends of the time while mixing in occasional pumps and flats.
“I transitioned from the bold black eyeliner of the 1960s to a more natural appearance in the 1970s. Lightening my eyebrows like the iconic model Twiggy, whose blonde looks and large eyes had captivated the world, was also a part of this transformation,” Priscilla explained, highlighting her experimentation with various hairstyles and colors — shifting from brunette to blonde and even ginger.
Unlike before, when denim was off-limits due to Elvis’ associations with poverty, Priscilla happily adopted this style.
Though Elvis and Priscilla’s marriage spanned just six years, their bond was extraordinary. “The start [of our marriage] was quite challenging, but I understood what I was getting into, having witnessed it from a young age,” she mentioned in an interview with the Daily Mail in March 2022. “I found […]
“Now, my wardrobe included timeless styles, flowing dresses, vibrant colors, and feminine patterns,” she stated, expressing the newfound freedom in wearing “anything I wished.”
“Entering my thirties, it was the first time I truly explored clothing choices. I had transitioned from wearing outfits preferred by my parents to those that Elvis liked, and now, I only had to satisfy myself,” Priscilla reflected.
