Priscilla Presley’s divorce from Elvis left his fans incredulous. How could she leave the man every woman wanted? From the outside, life in Elvis’s mansion looked glamorous and enviable, and in many respects, it was. But inside the mansion, her husband was constantly surrounded by a male entourage while at the gates, lines of beautiful women waited hopefully for an audience with the King. From the time she was seventeen years-old, that life was all Priscilla had known. During her ten years with Elvis, it became painfully apparent that she had no idea who she was outside Elvis’s world. The only way to find herself was to leave that world and seek a new life of her own, because leaving was the only way to survive, for herself and for her daughter.
Softly, As I Leave You, is the deeply personal story of what Priscilla lost and what she found when she walked away from the man she loved. Despite the legal separation, their love for one another transformed into a touching and tender dynamic that endured until Elvis’s untimely death four years later. Shattered by Elvis’s passing, she had to reinvent herself a second time as the single mother of a talented, often headstrong daughter who never really recovered from her father’s death. Priscilla’s dedication to motherhood was enriched by the birth of her second child, and she gradually found her footing as a businesswoman, actress, designer, and legislative advocate. She transformed Graceland into an international destination and helped guide the development of Elvis Presley Enterprises. But the unexpected, shattering loss of three immediate family members years later brought Priscilla to her knees. She shares her journey with a quiet dignity that will comfort and reassure anyone who has suffered–and survived–seemingly unbearable loss.
Softly, As I Leave You by Priscilla Presley is her emotionally intimate memoir recounting what happened after the spotlight of being Elvis Presley’s wife dimmed. This isn’t a scandalous tell-all but instead, a reflective personal memoir of her final years with Elvis, her family history, her acting career, business ventures, and most notably, the heartbreaking losses she suffered (Elvis, Lisa Marie, her grandson, and her mother).
The writing style of this book is very conversational and reflective—there are a few instances when she calls out some people for their bad behavior, but it’s warranted and adds credibility to her story rather than adding sensationalism. The book is not only a recounting of what she lived through but also an attempt at reconciliation—softly “leaving,” not with anger or bitterness, but with dignity. Her relationship with her daughter is a central talking point in all decades of this story, and although they had some years of turmoil and dispute, they always remained close and communicative.
It’s highly recommended to read/listen to Lisa Marie’s 2024 memoir, From Here To The Great Unknown, either before or after reading this book—both mother and daughter give their own recounts of many of their shared life experiences—from family member births, to their affiliation and eventual exit from the Church of Scientology, to preserving Graceland, to the heartbreaking loss of Lisa Marie’s son in 2020. The only small differences in perspective are evident when Lisa’s years of addiction (in the 2010s) and her marriage to Michael Jackson are mentioned.
Even though this book is mostly about her life after Elvis’s death, she remains very much in his orbit throughout the decades and mentions him throughout the book. Her efforts to maintain Graceland, her continued friendships with the men that surrounded Elvis, and her feeling that “Elvis is always with her in some capacity” and was “the love of her life” will pull at the heartstrings of longtime Elvis fans! For those not familiar with Priscilla’s acting career, which really took off during her major role on Dallas, this memoir mentions all her notable performances and shows her love of performing.
The chapter titles are very compelling, as they trace Priscilla’s journey from separation (to Elvis) to self-discovery, using both Elvis song titles and symbolic words to mirror what happened in her life. Early chapters like Letting Go, Holding On, and Separate Ways reflect her struggle to leave Elvis while still bound to him emotionally. Later chapters like Acting Out, Guest Star, and Raise Your Voice highlight her efforts to reclaim her identity beyond being Elvis’s wife. The final chapters, Storm and Grace and Peace in the Valley, are centered around Lisa’s death and are the most emotional and beautifully spoken—so be sure to have your tissues ready and your attention focused!
There have been many Elvis and/or Priscilla movies, books, and stories over the years, including the recent widely acclaimed Sofia Coppola film “Priscilla.” What this book better offers fans is a wider Presley family story with Priscilla’s more recent perspective. While she can never fully escape Elvis’s shadow, this memoir allows readers to see her as much more than a footnote in Elvis’s story. Readers who enjoy memoirs dealing with grief, identity, fame, and reinvention, or anyone who’s a longtime Elvis or Priscilla fan, will fully enjoy this book!
Narrator Performace
The audiobook is narrated by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley herself, making the memoir feel more personal and intimate. Her delivery of the story feels like she’s having a conversation with listeners—she uses an authentic-sounding voice infused with moments of hesitation, sadness, and lots of warmth that add layers of emotion for listeners!
If you’re familiar with Priscilla’s calming, textured voice, this audiobook is spoken in the same manner and is very easy to listen to. When she speaks of loss or grief, her emotion is evident but not overdone. She goes as far as to say that as the matriarch in her family and having been raised in a military household, she’s learned how to keep her emotions in check—especially when she needs to be strong for others and a representative of Elvis’s legacy. When she speaks of more mundane or reflective moments, there’s a steadiness in her voice that’s engaging and beautiful. Her pacing feels natural, allowing listeners to absorb everything, especially the factual parts about family history and key moments on her journey, which are all very interesting!
Overall, Priscilla Presley does a remarkable job narrating, and her performance adds credibility and a level of intimacy that no other narrator could duplicate. For listeners who appreciate memoirs delivered in an authentic voice with emotional maturity in a grounded, reflective tone, this book will hit the mark. This memoir is also a must-listen for all longtime Elvis and Priscilla fans and especially those who have already listened to Lisa Marie’s 2024 memoir, From Here To The Great Unknown.
Narrator Performace
The audiobook is narrated by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley herself, making the memoir feel more personal and intimate. Her delivery of the story feels like she’s having a conversation with listeners—she uses an authentic-sounding voice infused with moments of hesitation, sadness, and lots of warmth that add layers of emotion for listeners!
If you’re familiar with Priscilla’s calming, textured voice, this audiobook is spoken in the same manner and is very easy to listen to. When she speaks of loss or grief, her emotion is evident but not overdone. She goes as far as to say that as the matriarch in her family and having been raised in a military household, she’s learned how to keep her emotions in check—especially when she needs to be strong for others and a representative of Elvis’s legacy. When she speaks of more mundane or reflective moments, there’s a steadiness in her voice that’s engaging and beautiful. Her pacing feels natural, allowing listeners to absorb everything, especially the factual parts about family history and key moments on her journey, which are all very interesting!
Overall, Priscilla Presley does a remarkable job narrating, and her performance adds credibility and a level of intimacy that no other narrator could duplicate. For listeners who appreciate memoirs delivered in an authentic voice with emotional maturity in a grounded, reflective tone, this book will hit the mark. This memoir is also a must-listen for all longtime Elvis and Priscilla fans and especially those who have already listened to Lisa Marie’s 2024 memoir, From Here To The Great Unknown.
The audiobook is narrated by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley herself, making the memoir feel more personal and intimate. Her delivery of the story feels like she’s having a conversation with listeners—she uses an authentic-sounding voice infused with moments of hesitation, sadness, and lots of warmth that add layers of emotion for listeners!
If you’re familiar with Priscilla’s calming, textured voice, this audiobook is spoken in the same manner and is very easy to listen to. When she speaks of loss or grief, her emotion is evident but not overdone. She goes as far as to say that as the matriarch in her family and having been raised in a military household, she’s learned how to keep her emotions in check—especially when she needs to be strong for others and a representative of Elvis’s legacy. When she speaks of more mundane or reflective moments, there’s a steadiness in her voice that’s engaging and beautiful. Her pacing feels natural, allowing listeners to absorb everything, especially the factual parts about family history and key moments on her journey, which are all very interesting!
Overall, Priscilla Presley does a remarkable job narrating, and her performance adds credibility and a level of intimacy that no other narrator could duplicate. For listeners who appreciate memoirs delivered in an authentic voice with emotional maturity in a grounded, reflective tone, this book will hit the mark. This memoir is also a must-listen for all longtime Elvis and Priscilla fans and especially those who have already listened to Lisa Marie’s 2024 memoir, From Here To The Great Unknown.
