Friday night’s Late Late Show country special on RTÉ was more than just a celebration of country music—it became a deeply personal stage for Priscilla Presley, as she opened up about her life with Elvis Presley, their daughter Lisa Marie, and her own journey to selfhood. The event, aired on October 3, 2025, drew together fans of music, film, and personal storytelling for an evening that was both star-studded and strikingly intimate, according to RTÉ.
Priscilla Presley, best known for her marriage to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and her roles in Dallas and The Naked Gun, was the evening’s centerpiece. She was there to discuss her new memoir, Softly, As I Leave You – Life After Elvis, a book she confessed took her several years to write. "It was a few years, writing this book," she told host Patrick Kielty. "I tried so many times to write a book, and I backed off from it for many years. And I decided this was the time for me to write a book. I’m getting older and I don’t want anyone else telling about my life. So I figured, I’ll write a book and tell the truth, and tell about my life and how wonderful Elvis was."
The memoir, as covered by Us Weekly on October 5, 2025, is both candid and, at times, shocking. Priscilla lays bare her experiences, including a heartbreaking revelation: during her pregnancy with Lisa Marie, Elvis asked if she wanted an abortion. This moment, recounted in the book, underscores the pressures she faced as the young wife of a global superstar. She also described how she shaped her appearance to Elvis’s tastes, down to the way she did her hair, revealing, "I adapted my hairstyle and appearance to suit Elvis’s preferences."
Priscilla’s story with Elvis began when she was just 14, living in Germany where her father was stationed with the military. "That’s how we met. We had a mutual friend," she recalled on the Late Late Show. After a cautious introduction involving her father and Elvis, a relationship blossomed. "Love was in the air," she said with a smile, but she also shared the unique challenges of being the only woman in Elvis’s inner circle. "It was really a guy’s life. I was the only woman," she laughed.
The memoir doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of their marriage. Priscilla explained that living with Elvis was a "very different life," and that, despite the wonder of it, she eventually realized she had to leave. "I had to find myself," she admitted. "I was totally lost. I had to go and do what I liked to do." Even after their divorce in 1973, the two remained in touch—a testament to the enduring bond they shared.
Of course, the shadow of tragedy looms large in Priscilla’s story. She spoke movingly about Elvis’s later years and his death in 1977. "It was very difficult. What a loss to the world—it was unbelievable," she said, echoing the sentiment of millions who mourned the King’s passing. Her memoir also details the pain of losing their only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 2023. In her book, Priscilla draws a poignant comparison between her family’s tragedies and those of the Kennedys, suggesting a legacy marked by both fame and profound loss.
Priscilla’s reflections on Lisa Marie are particularly heartfelt. She remembers her late daughter with touching tributes and doesn’t hesitate to express her opinions on Lisa Marie’s tumultuous personal life. She called Lisa Marie’s marriage to actor Nicolas Cage a "soap opera" and was blunt about her disapproval of the marriage to Michael Jackson, which she believed was motivated by publicity. "Priscilla Presley was ‘appalled’ by Lisa Marie’s marriage to Michael Jackson," reports Us Weekly.
The Late Late Show special was not solely about Priscilla’s journey. The night was a showcase for the best of Irish country music, with performances and appearances by Daniel O’Donnell, Cliona Hagan, Nathan Carter, Michael English, Philomena Begley, Susan McCann, and Declan Nerney. Hollywood actor John C Reilly, ahead of his upcoming Dublin gig, joined the festivities and reminisced about his own musical upbringing. "The Clancy Brothers were like the main ones we listened to a lot," he told the audience. "Music was always just part of my life. In a way, I started becoming an actor after doing musicals. That’s all we did on the south side of Chicago. To me, music and acting are completely connected."
Reilly was clearly in awe of sharing the stage with Irish country legends. "It’s amazing to be with this cast of legends," he said, nodding to Philomena Begley, Susan McCann, Declan Nerney, Daniel O’Donnell, and the show’s host, Patrick Kielty. He also spoke to the universal appeal of country music: "There’s something about country music and the purity and simplicity of the storytelling that people relate to, regardless of where they came from."
One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Sandy Kelly was announced as the 2025 inductee to the Irish country music Hall of Fame. She was visibly surprised and moved as she accepted the honor. "Oh my goodness! I feel like I won the Eurovision!" she exclaimed. Kelly went on to dedicate the award to her fans, family, and peers, stating, "It’s such an honour. I didn’t expect it. I want to dedicate it to all the people who have followed me over 50 years. And I want to dedicate it to my family. And to all of my peers." When asked about her standout career moment, she recalled recording The Wood Carver with Johnny Cash: "He was just a joy. That stands out because I learned so much from him, about humility, about performing—he was just the genuine article and I have to pinch myself."
The evening, broadcast live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, was a vibrant blend of music, memory, and revelation. Priscilla’s decision to share her story, both on stage and in her memoir, offered viewers and readers alike a rare glimpse behind the curtain of a legendary family—one marked by love, loss, and resilience. As she continues to shape her own legacy, Priscilla Presley’s voice resonates as both a witness to history and a survivor of it.