Even though Elvis agreed to a divorce and their separation was amicable, he wasn’t happy about losing his wife to another man.
Those surrounding the King of Rock at the time described him as paranoid and disturbed. His outbursts became so severe that a doctor was called to prescribe him medications that would help him calm down. It barely helped though, and Elvis allegedly said, that he was in too much pain and that Stone must die.
Filing for Divorce
Priscilla and Elvis separated in February of 1972, and she later filed for divorce that July. In a 2016 interview, Priscilla stated, that at the time of the separation, she was still in love with him, but also felt like she had to explore the world.
Priscilla ultimately wound up with a lump sum of $725,000. (About $4.2 million today.) She also received spousal support, child support, a small percentage of the earnings from Elvis' publishing companies, and half of the sum earned from the sale of their Beverly Hills home. While Priscilla was willing to accept far less, her lawyers convinced her to ask for more.
Finalizing the Divorce
The couple’s divorce was finalized on October 9, 1973, and the couple remained amicable afterward. They even held hands walking out of the courthouse. The two remained good friends, and Elvis took the blame for their split at a Las Vegas concert.
His ex-wife, daughter, and new girlfriend were in the audience when he said him being away too much due to his career was what got in the way of his marriage. He said that he and Priscilla agreed to still be friends for the sake of their daughter.
Priscilla Opens A Boutique
After her divorce from Elvis, Priscilla wanted to pursue a career that would allow her to stand on her own two feet. She opened a boutique clothing store in Los Angeles with friend and stylist Olivia Bis called Bis & Beau.
With Elvis’s help, the shop was successful and helped to dress celebrity clients including Cher, Barbra Streisand, and Natalie Wood. It lasted just three years.
Elvis’s Failing Health
Elvis’ health significantly deteriorated after separating from Priscilla. His substance abuse worsened and he suffered two ODs in 1973, the first which left him in a three-day coma. At the end of the same year, he was hospitalized for the same reason, remaining in a nearly vegetative state throughout his stay.
His tour schedule was hectic and he was busier than ever, which certainly didn’t help his condition. Rather than rest, however, in 1974 he agreed to go on another tour.