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

The Divorce

When Elvis and Priscilla Presley announced their separation in 1972, the world was shocked. The couple had seemed perfect on the surface—Elvis, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and Priscilla, the elegant and supportive wife. Yet, beneath the glamour, the pressures of fame, their tumultuous relationship, and the demands of Elvis's career had taken their toll. For Lisa Marie, who was just four years old at the time, the divorce marked the beginning of a new chapter, one defined by a life split between two very different worlds.

The dissolution of Elvis and Priscilla's marriage was a deeply personal event, but it played out on the public stage. The media was relentless, speculating about the reasons for their breakup and the impact it would have on their daughter. For Lisa Marie, however, the divorce was not about headlines or public appearances; it was about her family changing in ways that she couldn't fully understand. In the aftermath of the separation, Lisa Marie found herself shuttled between Graceland and her mother's new home in Los Angeles, trying to navigate the complexities of having two homes and two very different parents.

At Graceland, Lisa Marie's life remained steeped in the world of music, celebrity, and opulence. Elvis, despite the toll the divorce took on him emotionally, continued to treat his daughter like royalty. Whenever Lisa Marie visited, Elvis made sure that her time with him was filled with joy, excitement, and indulgence. The gates of Graceland would swing open for Lisa Marie, and she would once again be enveloped in the familiar comfort of her father's lavish lifestyle.

Elvis, who was notoriously generous, often expressed his love for Lisa Marie through extravagant gifts. He bought her jewelry, clothes, and toys that most children could only dream of. On one occasion, he surprised her with a pony, which she delighted in riding around the sprawling Graceland grounds. Elvis was determined to make sure that his daughter never wanted for anything, and while material possessions could never fully compensate for the emotional complexities of their situation, they were his way of showing her how much he cared.

But Elvis's love wasn't just material. He cherished the time he spent with Lisa Marie, and even though he struggled with his own personal demons—his declining health, his dependence on prescription drugs, and the pressures of his career—he always made sure to prioritize his daughter. When she was with him, he was present, playful, and affectionate. He would sing to her, tell her stories, and take her on trips, doing everything he could to create happy memories during their time together.

For Lisa Marie, her father's larger-than-life persona didn't intimidate her—it was simply part of who he was. She adored him, not as a superstar, but as her father. She loved the way he made her feel special, the way he would carry her around the mansion on his shoulders or let her sit next to him as he played the piano. In many ways, Lisa Marie's time at Graceland was an escape from the more difficult realities of her parents' divorce. It was a world of fantasy and wonder, where her father was the king and she was his princess.

Yet, while her life at Graceland was filled with excitement, it was also marked by an undercurrent of sadness. Lisa Marie began to sense that her father wasn't always as happy as he appeared to be. There were days when Elvis seemed tired, distant, and unwell. His grueling tour schedule, combined with his increasing reliance on medication, was taking a toll on him. While Lisa Marie didn't fully understand what was happening at the time, she could sense that something was wrong. The man who had once been so full of life and energy was beginning to show signs of wear and tear, and it was impossible for her not to notice.

In contrast, life with her mother in Los Angeles was markedly different. After the divorce, Priscilla moved to California, where she began to rebuild her life away from the intense spotlight that had followed her during her marriage to Elvis. In Los Angeles, Priscilla provided Lisa Marie with a more structured and grounded upbringing. While their home was still one of comfort and privilege, it lacked the extravagance of Graceland. Priscilla, who had long grown weary of the chaotic nature of Elvis's lifestyle, was determined to give her daughter a sense of stability and normalcy.