Priscilla Presley has lived a life forever linked to one of the most legendary figures in music history—Elvis Presley. Yet, her journey after her divorce from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was filled with fascinating relationships, personal struggles, and experiences she has rarely shared publicly. In her upcoming memoir, Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis (to be released September 23), Priscilla offers an intimate look into her life after leaving Graceland, including a surprising chapter that connects her to another famous family: the Kardashians.
A Secret Relationship Revealed
Among the revelations in her memoir is Priscilla’s previously undisclosed romance with attorney Robert Kardashian, years before he became known as the patriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner empire. At the time, Kardashian was far from a reality TV icon’s father; he was a hardworking lawyer in Los Angeles with a reputation for dedication and professionalism.
Priscilla recalls a particular night when her worlds collided in an almost cinematic fashion. One evening, while lying in bed with Kardashian—who was fast asleep—she received a phone call at 2 a.m. from Elvis.
She immediately jumped out of bed to take the call, knowing full well what Elvis’s reaction would have been if he discovered Robert was in her bedroom. Elvis, she writes, was known to be fiercely possessive and always carried a gun, sometimes even two.
“Elvis would have gone ballistic, maybe literally, if he’d known Robert was in my bedroom,” Priscilla reflects in the book.
Elvis’s Late-Night Calls
The phone call itself was typical of Elvis, who often reached out to Priscilla at odd hours. This time, he was animated, recounting how he had wowed the audience during his performance earlier that evening. “Damn, I was knocking ‘em out!” he told her, brimming with excitement.
For Elvis, these conversations were about connection, a way to maintain some semblance of closeness to Priscilla even after their marriage ended. What he never suspected was that his former wife had moved on and was in bed with another man during those late-night chats.
Priscilla writes with wry humor that Elvis never called at the worst possible moment: “He never called me when I was making love to someone!”
When the call ended, she slipped back into bed beside Robert Kardashian. Neither man ever knew about the other that night—an odd intersection of two worlds that would remain a secret for decades.
Robert Kardashian: A Different Kind of Companion
Priscilla describes Robert Kardashian as a kind, sweet man who treated her with respect. Unlike Elvis, who lived life in the fast lane surrounded by adoring fans, Robert preferred a quieter existence.
As a successful attorney, his weekdays were consumed by long hours at the office. By the weekend, all he wanted was a relaxing evening at home, complete with popcorn and a movie. While this lifestyle appealed to Priscilla at first, she admits that over time, she began to feel restless.
Her memories of Kardashian, however, remain fond. “Robert was the kindest of men, and I remember him with great affection,” she writes.
A Final Goodbye
Though their romance eventually ended, their friendship endured. Years later, in 2003, when Robert Kardashian was battling esophageal cancer, Priscilla received a call from Kim Kardashian. Kim reached out from the hospital, giving Priscilla an opportunity to speak with Robert one last time before he passed away.
That final conversation left a lasting impression on her. It allowed her to say goodbye and reflect on the kindness he had shown her during their time together.
Intertwined Legacies
Robert Kardashian went on to marry Kris Jenner in 1978, building what would become one of the most famous families in American pop culture. Together, they had four children—Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob—who would later rise to global fame through Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Interestingly, the Kardashian-Jenner family’s history intersects with Elvis’s world in another way. After his divorce from Priscilla, Elvis dated Linda Thompson, who later became Caitlyn Jenner’s wife. Caitlyn and Kris went on to have two daughters of their own, Kendall and Kylie Jenner.
This web of relationships highlights the surprisingly small world of Hollywood and how the paths of celebrities often cross in unexpected ways.
Priscilla’s Life After Elvis
While this revelation about Robert Kardashian is a headline-grabber, Priscilla’s memoir also promises to dive deeper into her experiences after leaving Elvis. From raising their daughter Lisa Marie Presley to pursuing her own career and identity outside of Elvis’s massive shadow, Priscilla’s journey has been one of reinvention and resilience.
Her stories reflect the complexities of life after being married to one of the most famous men in the world—balancing private relationships with the constant public fascination that followed her every move.
A Book Full of Surprises
Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis is not just about romance. It’s about navigating fame, grief, motherhood, and the challenge of creating an independent life while forever tied to a cultural icon. The revelation about Robert Kardashian adds a fascinating twist, offering readers a glimpse into how her personal life intersected with another family that would later dominate global headlines.
For Elvis fans, Kardashian followers, and readers curious about Hollywood history, Priscilla’s memoir is set to deliver intimate stories that shed light on her resilience and the relationships that shaped her post-Elvis years.