Don't Cry Daddy - The Story Of Elvis and Lisa Marie Presley

The King Becomes a Father

When the news of Priscilla Presley's pregnancy reached Elvis, he was ecstatic. It was 1967, and at the height of his fame, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, had married the love of his life, Priscilla Beaulieu, a beautiful, poised young woman he'd met in Germany when he was serving in the U.S. Army. Their wedding was a grand affair—fit for royalty, really—with the world watching and dissecting every detail. But while his marriage was a major milestone, becoming a father was something Elvis had dreamed about for years. The prospect of fatherhood filled him with a joy that nothing in his career had ever provided.

As the months passed, Elvis was vocal about his excitement. He told anyone who would listen that he couldn't wait to hold his child in his arms, to finally experience that profound connection between a parent and their child. He was, at heart, a family man—despite the larger-than-life persona he presented to the world. The idea of having a baby softened his often-guarded exterior. Friends and family close to Elvis began to notice a shift in him—he seemed calmer, more reflective, even protective of Priscilla as she carried their child. There was something about becoming a father that seemed to bring him peace in a way that fame, wealth, and the adoration of millions never could.

The pregnancy was not without its challenges. Priscilla, who was still quite young and adjusting to life as Mrs. Elvis Presley, found herself under an incredible amount of pressure. The constant attention from the press, the endless stream of fan mail, and the demands of being married to one of the most famous men in the world were overwhelming. But Elvis, for all his own pressures and responsibilities, tried to be there for her. He wanted everything to be perfect, for both Priscilla and their soon-to-be-born child. Elvis was known for being generous to a fault, and this extended to ensuring that his wife had everything she needed during her pregnancy.

Elvis spent hours imagining what life would be like once the baby arrived. Friends would later recall how he spoke endlessly about his plans for the nursery, filling it with gifts and toys that any child would be lucky to have. He had the best of everything ordered, ensuring that his child would want for nothing. Yet, amid all the material preparations, Elvis's most profound dream was to be an involved and loving father, something he had longed for since childhood.

Elvis's own relationship with his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, was complicated. He adored his mother, Gladys, with whom he shared an almost symbiotic relationship. Her death in 1958 had devastated him, leaving a void that he would never fully recover from. Elvis's father, Vernon, was a more distant figure in his life. Though they were close in some ways, their bond paled in comparison to the deep emotional connection Elvis had with his mother. In many ways, Elvis longed to be the kind of father to his child that he felt he never truly had in Vernon. He wanted to be present, attentive, and above all, loving.

As the due date approached, Elvis became even more attentive toward Priscilla. He cut down on his touring schedule and spent more time at Graceland, eager to be by her side. The couple's home, Graceland, located in Memphis, Tennessee, was already a symbol of Elvis's success, but soon it would take on a new meaning as the place where he would raise his child. Elvis often envisioned teaching his child how to ride horses on the expansive grounds, showing them the secret rooms and hidden treasures inside the mansion, and filling their days with music.

On February 1, 1968, Priscilla went into labor. It was a cold winter morning, and Elvis, always one for grandeur, made sure that everything was in place for the arrival of his firstborn. The couple headed to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, and despite the early hour, the press was already buzzing. The world had been following Elvis's every move for years, but now they were watching the birth of the next Presley.

Priscilla later recalled the moments leading up to the birth with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Elvis was by her side, holding her hand, trying to soothe her nerves. But he was nervous, too. Though he had performed in front of thousands of people and faced the pressures of international fame, the thought of becoming a father made him anxious in a way nothing else had. He wanted to be perfect. He wanted to be the father his child deserved.

At 5:01 p.m., Lisa Marie Presley was born. She weighed six pounds and fifteen ounces. Elvis, overcome with emotion, wept as he held his daughter for the first time. It was a deeply moving moment for him, one that he would talk about for the rest of his life. His joy was palpable. He looked down at the tiny, fragile baby in his arms, and in that instant, his life changed forever. He had become a father.

The days that followed were filled with joy for the Presley family. Back at Graceland, Elvis and Priscilla settled into their new roles as parents. Elvis was absolutely smitten with Lisa Marie. He would spend hours just staring at her, marveling at her tiny fingers and toes, and wondering what her life would hold. He saw in her all the potential in the world and wanted nothing more than to protect and nurture her.

Those close to Elvis during this time often commented on how fatherhood softened him. His famous temper seemed to mellow, and there was a gentleness in his demeanor that hadn't always been there. He would carry Lisa Marie around the house, cradling her as he sang softly to her. Music, which had been such a vital part of his own life, was something he wanted to share with his daughter from the very beginning. He often serenaded her with lullabies, his voice as soothing and full of love as ever.

Elvis's love for Lisa Marie was also evident in the many ways he spoiled her. He would buy her lavish gifts—extravagant clothes, custom-made furniture, and the finest toys money could buy. But it wasn't just about material things. Elvis wanted Lisa Marie to have experiences, too. He would take her on trips, and she accompanied him on tour, even at a young age. Wherever Elvis went, Lisa Marie wasn't far behind. His desire to be close to her was almost overwhelming. For Elvis, Lisa Marie was his grounding force in a world that often felt chaotic and out of control.

However, Elvis's devotion to his daughter did not come without its challenges. The demands of his career meant that he couldn't always be present. As Lisa Marie grew older, she became increasingly aware of how her father's fame pulled him away from her at times. While he adored her and tried to spend as much time with her as possible, there were stretches where Elvis's career commitments took precedence. The tours, movie sets, and recording sessions were part of the price he paid for his fame, and though it hurt him to be away from his daughter, he had responsibilities to his fans and the many people who relied on his success.

Despite these absences, Elvis made sure that his time with Lisa Marie was special. When he was home, they would spend hours together—whether it was playing in the sprawling Graceland estate or simply sitting together as Elvis shared stories of his youth and his music career. For Elvis, Lisa Marie was the greatest joy in his life, a reflection of everything good he had ever wanted.

As Lisa Marie entered toddlerhood, her personality began to emerge, and Elvis was fascinated by her every move. She was spirited, independent, and strong-willed—a reflection of her parents' best qualities. Elvis delighted in watching her grow, and while he was often away for stretches, when he returned, he made it a point to pick up right where they left off, showering her with affection and making her feel like the most important person in his life.

Priscilla, too, saw how fatherhood had changed Elvis. While they faced their own marital difficulties over the years, Priscilla often spoke about how much Elvis adored Lisa Marie. He was tender and doting in a way that was sometimes surprising to those who only saw the larger-than-life superstar on stage. Behind the scenes, Elvis was just a father, deeply in love with his little girl.

Fatherhood, in many ways, grounded Elvis during a period in his life when the pressures of fame were becoming overwhelming. In Lisa Marie, he found a reason to slow down, to take stock of what mattered most. His daughter became the center of his universe, and for all the challenges that lay ahead—for both of them—their bond was undeniable.

The birth of Lisa Marie Presley not only transformed Elvis's life but also set the stage for one of the most important relationships of his life. For Elvis, being a father to Lisa Marie was his proudest achievement, a role he cherished above all others. In her, he saw the promise of a better, more grounded future—a legacy not only of music but of love and family.

The early years of Lisa Marie's life were filled with moments of joy and connection with her father, and though they would face many trials in the years to come, Elvis's love for his daughter never wavered. His deep devotion to her was a constant throughout his life, and it remained one of the most enduring aspects of his personal identity. As the world continued to see him as "The King," to Lisa Marie, he would always be simply "Daddy."