10 Fun Facts About Priscilla Presley

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! Priscilla Presley turns 66 today! Her marriage to the King of Rock grew pretty rocky after the first few years, but her title of ‘Elvis’ former wife’ is not all that she is known for—she is also a successful actress, businesswoman and entrepreneur.

In honor of her special day, here are ten things you probably didn’t know about Priscilla:

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! Elvis and Priscilla Beaulieu first met in 1959 at a party in Elvis’ home in Bad Nauheim, Germany during his time in the army. She was only 14-years old, but Elvis has said he was drawn in by her much older appearance. They kept in touch over the phone, but didn’t see each other again until 1962 when she visited him in the U.S. for two weeks.

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! She moved to America to be with Elvis in 1963. Part of the deal with her parents was that she would attend an all-girls’ Catholic school and live with Elvis' father and his stepmother in a separate house on the Graceland estate until she graduated from high school. When Elvis proposed to Priscilla before Christmas in 1966, she moved in with Elvis.

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! Recycling pet names, Elvis? Not cool! Elvis used to call Priscilla “Little One” or “Little Girl.” He called his former girlfriend, Anita, “Little Bit.”

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! Priscilla is an actress, and is best known for co-starring alongside Leslie Nielsen in the three ‘Naked Gun’ films. She also starred as Jenna Wade in the TV series ‘Dallas’ for five years, a role that she will reprise this year in a TNT pilot remake of the series. Priscilla has also gotten her feet wet in the reality-show world, and was a contestant on Season 6 of ‘Dancing With The Stars.’

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! After her split from Elvis, Priscilla and her friend, stylist Olivia Bis, opened up a successful clothing boutique in Los Angeles called ‘Bis & Beau.’ In an interview to promote the store in 1973, Priscilla said, “After the separation, I had to make up my mind about what I wanted to do, and since I had worked with Olivia for such a long time on my own clothes, I decided to try it professionally. We both do the designing for the shop, and have people who sew for us.” The boutique remained open until 1976.

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! In 1976, Priscilla turned down the role of one of the angels in the TV series ‘Charlie’s Angels.’

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! Priscilla founded Elvis Presley Enterprises and played a major role in turning Graceland into a tourist attraction worth over $100 million. Graceland opened to the public in 1982, and Priscilla served as the chairwoman of the board until Lisa Marie, her daughter with Elvis, took over in 1998.

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! She has penned two biographies, one titled ‘Elvis and Me (1985), in which she confesses to having a short love affair with her dance instructor as well as one with her karate instructor. Twenty years later, she co-authored the second book, ‘Elvis by the Presleys’, with Lisa Marie.

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! A devout Scientologist, Priscilla speaks publicly for the religion’s anti-psychiatry front group, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Presley! Priscilla and Elvis separated in 1972, twelve and a half years after they met. Lisa Marie, who is now 43, was their only child. Then in 1984, Priscilla met the Italian screenwriter, Marvo Garibaldi—together they had a son, Navarone, in 1987. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and has been dating actor Richard Palmer since 2010.