Elvis Presley Asks Priscilla for Separation While She’s Pregnant

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, once shocked his wife, Priscilla Presley, by asking for a trial separation when she was seven months pregnant with their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

Their love story began when Priscilla was just 14 years old, and after years of waiting for Elvis to propose, her dream came true.

In 1966, on the eve of Christmas, Elvis proposed to her with a dazzling diamond ring at his Memphis estate, Graceland.

The couple tied the knot on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas.

Exactly nine months later, on February 1, 1968, their daughter Lisa Marie was born.

However, Priscilla's fairytale proposal, pregnancy, and early months of marriage did not bring the happiness she had hoped for.

In her memoir, “Elvis and Me,” published in 1985, Priscilla revealed that Elvis had asked her for a trial separation while she was carrying their child.

During her pregnancy, Priscilla suspected that Elvis was being unfaithful.

The news of her pregnancy soon after their honeymoon left her with mixed emotions.

She worried about how her changing appearance would affect Elvis's attraction to her, especially since he had previously expressed that he did not find mothers attractive.

Priscilla even considered an abortion but ultimately decided against it.

Rumors began circulating that Elvis was having an affair with singer Nancy Sinatra, his co-star in the movie “Speedway.”

Sonny West, Elvis's longtime bodyguard and member of the Memphis Mafia, claimed in his memoir, “Elvis: Taking Care of Business,” that there might have been some truth to these rumors.

He alleged that Elvis and Sinatra were flirting and engaging in questionable behavior while working together.

Sinatra denied having an affair with Elvis and instead suggested that she turned him down because he was married.

In a surprising gesture, she even offered to host a baby shower for Priscilla, which temporarily eased her concerns.

But Sinatra was not the only woman on Elvis's mind.

West believed that Elvis still harbored feelings for Ann-Margret, with whom he had a passionate love affair after filming “Viva Las Vegas” together.

According to West, Elvis confessed to Ann-Margret that his feelings for her had never changed since their breakup shortly before marrying Priscilla.

He even sent her guitar-shaped flower arrangements, a signature gift that continued for many years.

Despite the rumors and suspicions, Elvis initially seemed thrilled about the pregnancy and denied any affairs with his co-stars.

So, Priscilla was shocked when he asked for a trial separation when she was seven months pregnant.

Elvis called Priscilla into his office and told her, “Cilla, I need time to think.

Things aren't going right.

It'll be good for us to take some time apart, like a trial separation.”

Devastated, Priscilla felt like her world was crumbling.

But instead of breaking down, she found a newfound strength.

She realized that if Elvis wanted to exclude her during this crucial time, then he didn't deserve her at all.

With determination, she stood up and told him, “You've got it.

Just let me know when I should leave.”

The separation lasted only two days before Elvis abruptly called it off.

West also recalled Elvis's desire to “think things through” but ultimately abandoned the idea.

To make amends, Elvis bought Priscilla a shiny ring and never mentioned the separation again.

Although the idea of a trial separation vanished, Elvis and Priscilla's marriage did not stand the test of time.

They divorced after just six years in 1973.

The initial request for separation was a sign of the challenges that lay ahead for the couple, ultimately leading to the end of their union.