HEARTBREAKING REVEAL: Priscilla Presley Admits Pain Over Lisa Marie’s Sale of Graceland Stake
In Memphis, Tennessee, the Presley family legacy has once again been thrust into the spotlight after Priscilla Presley, now 78, made an emotional confession in her memoir Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis (September 23, 2025). With unflinching honesty, Priscilla revealed that she was left “devastated” when her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, sold off a staggering 85% of her inheritance—including the controlling interest in Graceland—during a period of financial struggle.
The revelation has stunned fans worldwide, as Graceland is not only a Presley family treasure but also one of the most iconic landmarks in American music history. For Priscilla, who fought tirelessly to protect and preserve the estate after Elvis Presley’s death in 1977, the decision struck a deep emotional blow.
“I was devastated,” Priscilla confessed in the memoir. “Graceland was more than a property. It was Elvis’s dream, his sanctuary, and a legacy for our family. To see it nearly slip from our hands broke my heart.”
Lisa Marie’s controversial decision took place in 2005, when she sold 85% of Elvis Presley Enterprises to businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman, retaining just 15% ownership of Graceland itself. At the time, Lisa Marie was struggling financially, weighed down by debts and legal battles. The sale brought in quick capital but relinquished much of the control over Elvis’s brand and business empire.
For years, the move divided both fans and the Presley family. Critics argued that selling the majority stake compromised Elvis’s legacy, while supporters pointed to Lisa Marie’s desperate need for financial relief. Priscilla’s memoir now reveals just how painful the moment was for her personally. “I understood the pressures Lisa faced,” Priscilla admitted, “but I also feared what it would mean for Elvis’s legacy. I had fought so hard to secure Graceland for future generations—it felt like watching that fight unravel.”
The sale, however, did not spell the end for Graceland. Through careful negotiations and restructuring in later years, Graceland remained open to the public and today continues to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Still, the scars from that period run deep, and Priscilla’s admission has reopened old wounds for fans who see Graceland as sacred ground.
The shockwaves from Priscilla’s memoir have been immediate. Social media lit up with emotional responses, with hashtags like #Graceland, #LisaMariePresley, and #PriscillaMemoir trending across platforms. Many fans expressed sadness that financial pressures once threatened the stability of Elvis’s legacy. “Graceland is Elvis,” one fan posted. “It’s hard to imagine how painful it must have been for Priscilla to see it almost lost.”
Others defended Lisa Marie, noting the immense weight she carried as Elvis’s only child. “She had the world on her shoulders,” a supporter wrote. “It’s easy to judge now, but she did what she thought she had to do.”
Industry commentators argue that Priscilla’s willingness to confront the issue head-on demonstrates the raw honesty of her memoir. Unlike the polished narratives often found in celebrity biographies, Softly, As I Leave You delves into the messy, complicated realities of life after Elvis—the grief, the financial strains, the fractured family dynamics, and the relentless spotlight that never dimmed.
For Priscilla, the heartbreaking revelation is part of a larger story of resilience. Though devastated at the time, she continued to fight for Graceland’s future, ensuring its survival as both a museum and a cultural sanctuary. Today, millions of fans visit the estate each year, a living testament to her determination.
As the memoir continues to make headlines, one truth resonates: the Presley family’s journey has always been one of triumphs mixed with trials. And while Priscilla Presley’s admission about Lisa Marie’s sale of Graceland is painful, it also highlights the extraordinary pressures of carrying a legacy beloved by millions.