Not long after Elvis’ death, Priscilla became heavily involved with the Church of Scientology. Both she and Lisa Marie worked through the steps involved, as many other celebrities have done over the years.
As Lisa Marie struggled with substance abuse, however, she became unwelcome in the Scientology community. Priscilla begged the church to save her daughter but Lisa Marie ultimately left in 2016. She recalls slowly self-destructing and having everything taken away from her by the church. There were reports that Priscilla had left the church as well, but they were never confirmed.
What About Graceland?
As executor of Elvis’ only heir, Lisa Marie, Priscilla suddenly found herself responsible for the upkeep of Graceland, which cost more than $500,000 a year to maintain.
After barely staying afloat and spending much of her inheritance, she finally decided to turn Graceland into a tourist attraction. Just four months after it opened to the public in June of 1982, Priscilla had made back all of the money she invested into the project. She remained the chairwoman and president of Elvis Presley Enterprises until Lisa Marie was old enough to take on the role herself.
Finding Work on Television
It wasn’t long before Priscilla got into acting. Her first television appearance was in 1980 as the co-host of "Those Amazing Animals". She went on to star on "Dallas" and made guest appearances in shows like "Spin City", and "Melrose Place".
Priscilla was offered to play one of "Charlie’s Angels", an offer she declined since she didn’t like the show. She eventually went on to appear in films including "The Naked Gun" franchise.
Priscilla Welcomes a Son
During a relationship with Italian screenwriter Marco Garibaldi, Priscilla gave birth to a son. She was introduced to Garibaldi in 1984 while reading one of his scripts, one he hoped she would produce. They quickly fell for each other and wound up in a 22-year relationship.
Navarone was born in 1987 and is Priscilla’s only other child. She gave birth during her time starring on the show " Dallas", and her pregnancy was written into the show’s script.
Reopening the Autopsy
In 1994, Elvis’ autopsy was reopened after Dr. Joseph Davis’ review found no connection between his death and narcotics. According to him, there was no data connecting the heart attack to other substances.
Dr. Dan Warlick, who was present at the autopsy, believed Elvis’ chronic constipation was caused by years of substance use and high cholesterol. He speculates that his heart shut down when too much strain was put on the abdominal aorta when visiting the toilet. Elvis’ cause of death remains a heart attack to this day, but what brought it on is still a mystery.