Priscilla Presley, the former wife of music legend Elvis Presley, is set to share her life story in a new memoir titled Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis. The book, co-written with Mary Jane Ross, is scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, by Grand Central Publishing. In an exclusive interview with People, Presley expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "This book covers eight decades of my life. Writing it has been a learning experience on many levels. I have reflected deeply both on myself and on those I love. I have always loved and admired Elvis, but the more than four decades of living without him have taught me how rare and extraordinary he was as a human being."
The memoir promises to provide an in-depth look at Presley’s personal and professional life following her marriage to Elvis and his passing in 1977. It includes previously untold stories about their time together, insights into his life in Hollywood, and reflections on their years during the peak of his career.
Beyond her relationship with Elvis, the book will delve into the challenges and transformations Presley faced after their separation in 1973. The synopsis highlights that during her decade with Elvis, she struggled to identify herself outside of his shadow. It reads, "During her 10 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."
Presley, now 79, is not just known for her connection to Elvis; she has also carved out a successful career for herself. After Elvis’s death, she played a crucial role in preserving his legacy, including overseeing the transformation of Graceland into a public museum and establishing Elvis Presley Enterprises. Her acting career includes notable roles in the Naked Gun film series.
In her memoir, Presley also addresses the profound grief she has experienced, particularly following the unexpected deaths of three immediate family members, including her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who passed away in January 2023. Reflecting on this painful journey, she shared, "Reliving the trauma in my life has also been challenging. I live with grief, and I have learned that it never goes away. I will never outlive it, but I move through it one day at a time. I carry every one of the people I have lost with me. I feel their presence, and I believe that my journey will eventually bring us back to one another."
The memoir is expected to resonate with readers who have faced similar losses, as it offers a message of resilience and finding one’s place in the world. The synopsis describes it as a "passionate, compassionate and inspiring story of finding your place in the world, Softly, As I Leave You is a sweet Southern melody that will take the reader with Priscilla on her long road home."
Presley’s previous memoir, Elvis and Me, published in 1985, detailed her relationship with Elvis and served as the basis for the 2023 biopic Priscilla, directed by Sofia Coppola. While Elvis and Me focused on their life together, Softly, As I Leave You promises a broader perspective, covering eight decades of her life, including her journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
In addition to her literary endeavors, Priscilla made a memorable appearance on season 6 of Dancing with the Stars in 2008, where she partnered with professional dancer Louis van Amstel. As one of the oldest contestants, she embraced the physical and emotional challenges of ballroom dancing, which she later described as one of her biggest professional accomplishments. "It’s one of my biggest professional accomplishments, along with Naked Gun, which was also out of my comfort zone," she remarked in a 2011 interview.
As the release date for Softly, As I Leave You approaches, fans and readers alike are eager to learn more about the woman behind the legend of Elvis Presley. With her unique perspective and heartfelt storytelling, Priscilla Presley’s memoir is poised to offer a touching look at her life, filled with both triumphs and tribulations.
