Latest news with #n'Roll
Business Wire
28 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Elvis Presley's Graceland Opens Two New Exhibits
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Last week, Graceland welcomed fans from around the world to Memphis for the annual Elvis Week celebration. As part of the festivities, Graceland debuted two new exhibits inside Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex. Colonel Parker's World of Showbusiness shares the story of Elvis' legendary manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The exhibit traces his journey from his early years in Holland and work on the carnival circuit, through his time managing country stars like Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow, and ultimately to his defining role as the manager of Elvis Presley. Serving as Elvis' manager from 1955 until his death in 1977, Colonel Parker was a larger-than-life figure who played a crucial role in the direction and success of the King of Rock 'n' Roll's career. While he is hailed for turning Elvis into a global sensation, Colonel Parker remains a controversial figure in the Elvis world, as he faced significant criticism for his management approach and financial practices. The Colonel's story comes to life in the new exhibit through artifacts from his collection. See canes, hats, and pipes that defined the Colonel's look, along with items from his office and the colorful lab coats that he designed and wore on Elvis' movie sets. Exhibit highlights include his typewriter, awards, rare photographs from his office, and even the 1976 Cadillac Elvis gifted to him. Graceland in Red 1974 is the second exhibit to open at Graceland during Elvis Week 2025. When Elvis purchased the house in 1957, Elvis' mother Gladys' conservative style prevailed with the traditional blue and white décor that one sees when visiting Graceland today. However, in 1974, Graceland underwent dramatic redecoration with Elvis selecting rich colors, plush textures, and new statement pieces for his home. The living room was transformed into a French Provincial theme, featuring red velvet furniture, red satin draperies, oil lamps, mermaid tables, peacock-stained glass panels, and red shag carpet. The décor was bold and vibrant, reflecting Elvis' unique style – and a definite break from the conservative style of his mother. The red décor was in place until 1982, when the living room was reverted to the original blue and white aesthetic before Graceland opened to the public. The red furniture and décor went into warehouse storage. Pieces of the red furniture have been used in small displays at Graceland over the years, but this is the first time guests are able to see a full replica of how the living room looked in 1974. A highlight of the exhibit is the pair of oil lamps carefully restored by the Graceland team to their original condition. Each lamp features a gold-tone frame with a Greco-Roman-inspired figure at its center. Often called 'goddess rain lamps,' they were especially popular in the 1970s. Clear mineral oil flows along fine filaments, creating a shimmering rain effect around the statue. With built-in lighting and greenery at the base, the lamps added both illumination and a sense of luxury to the room's dramatic style. In addition to these two new exhibits, Graceland debuted the 90 for 90 Exhibit in January and refreshed the Elvis Dressed to Rock display in March. All exhibits are now open for touring throughout 2025. Tour tickets available at High-res images and additional press materials are available in the media-only link. For Media Only: For b-roll, photos, and more, visit the following links: About Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Elvis Presley's Graceland, in Memphis, is music's most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland and its related properties, including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Graceland's entertainment and exhibition complex over 200,000 square feet in size; the new 80,000 square feet Graceland Exhibition Center featuring rotating exhibits; the AAA Four Diamond Guest House at Graceland 450-room resort hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis' home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours, and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. Graceland is the only attraction worldwide to ever receive 12 USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards including 'Best Holiday Historic Home Tour,' 'Best Tennessee Attraction and Iconic Landmark,' 'Best Musical Attraction,' 'Best Historic Southern Attraction,' and the #1 'Iconic American Attraction.' The TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards named Graceland the most popular attraction in Tennessee and one of the top 25 landmarks in the world and Rolling Stone named it one of 10 Great American Music Landmarks. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit Stay connected to Elvis Presley's Graceland: Graceland Live Cam @ElvisPresleysGraceland on Facebook @VisitGraceland on Twitter (X) and Instagram @OfficialGraceland on YouTube @GracelandLive on Facebook @GracelandLiveConcerts on Instagram @LiveGraceland on Twitter SiriusXM's Elvis Radio, Channel 76
Business Wire
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Elvis Week 2025 Kicks off Today at Graceland
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Elvis Week 2025 kicks off today at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis. The nine-day celebration honors the legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll with live performances, panels, contests, new exhibit openings, the annual Candlelight Vigil, and more. Every year since Elvis' passing, fans have made a pilgrimage to Memphis in August to honor the enduring legacy of Elvis Presley. Elvis Week 2025 features an unforgettable lineup. Highlights include: Elvis: Live on Stage (August 16), a big-screen Elvis experience with a live band; A Night in Elvis' Hollywood (August 13), celebrating his film career with co-stars and live music; an Elvis Music Salute (August 14), featuring artists who shared the stage and studio with Elvis; Conversations on Elvis (August 15), with intimate stories from his friends and colleagues. Plus, experience the excitement of the 2025 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and enjoy performances by some of the top Elvis tribute artists in the world! The cornerstone event of the week will be the annual Candlelight Vigil on August 15 at Graceland's front gate. Elvis music sets the tone of the evening as fans walk up the driveway to Meditation Garden. This event lasts throughout the night as thousands of participants gather on Elvis Presley Boulevard to listen to music, share memories, and view memorials that are created by fans along the street. The Candlelight Vigil ceremony will also be streamed live online for free for fans around the world to watch. Confirmed Elvis Week guests include: Elvis' friend Jerry Schilling; Elvis' girlfriend Linda Thompson; singer/songwriter Tony Orlando; Larry Gatlin, singer/songwriter for Elvis' hits "Help Me" and "Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall"; Charlie McCoy, Nashville studio legend; legendary bassist Norbert Putnam; Peter Guralnick, author of the new book release The Colonel and The King; Elvis co-stars Marlyn Mason (The Trouble with Girls) and Robin and Gavin Koon (Follow that Dream); former member of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet Larry Strickland; Sweet Inspiration Estelle Brown; singer Brenda Lee; …among many others. Graceland will also honor Elvis' Imperials at Conversations on Elvis on August 15 with their induction into Graceland Legends – celebrating their contribution to Elvis' musical legacy. Appearing to accept their honor and share stories will be Terry Blackwood, Greg Gordon, Jim Murray and Roger Wiles. Elvis Week 2025 kicks off tonight with the first of four nights of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist shows! The Ultimate Return, happening tonight, features a high-energy tribute spanning Elvis' iconic decades. The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal and Final Round take place on August 9 and 10, where 20 Elvis tribute artists from around the globe will compete for the coveted title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist champion. Additional tribute events include: Elvis Gospel Celebration (August 10) Elvis: The Other Side of the Tracks (August 11) Elvis: That's The Way It Is: A Tribute (August 11) Final Five: Up-Close and Personal (August 11) With appearances by: Dean Z, Taylor Rodriguez, David Lee, Brandon Bennett, Jay Dupuis, Victor Trevino Jr., Emilio Santoro, Cote Deonath, Shawn Klush, and Patrick Dunn. Additional Elvis Week 2025 events include: Junior Elvis Tribute Showcase (August 10) Fan Celebration (August 12) Elvis: An Author's Perspective (August 13) Elvis Sessions: The Nashville Cats (August 14) Inspired by Elvis on (August 16) Plus a kick-off party, Moonshine dinners, free fan meet-ups, and more. Elvis Week tickets and the full schedule of events are available at For fans who are unable to attend in person, Graceland offers a Virtual Elvis Week pass for fans to experience concerts, contests, and conversations streamed live from the Graceland Soundstage. Virtual passholders can also re-watch events for up to 10 days after they aired. The Superfan Package includes a virtual tour of Graceland and Show & Tell of our 90 for 90 Exhibit. Pass information is available at The Guest House at Graceland resort hotel puts you in the heart of the action, hosting many of the week's shows and offering free live lobby entertainment and complimentary shuttle service throughout the Graceland campus. Rooms are still available for select nights. Visit to make your room reservations. All guests, times, prices, and details are subject to change. About Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Elvis Presley's Graceland, in Memphis, is music's most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland and its related properties, including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Graceland's entertainment and exhibition complex over 200,000 square feet in size; the new 80,000 square feet Graceland Exhibition Center featuring rotating exhibits; the AAA Four Diamond Guest House at Graceland 450-room resort hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis' home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours, and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. Graceland is the only attraction worldwide to ever receive 12 USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards including 'Best Holiday Historic Home Tour,' 'Best Tennessee Attraction and Iconic Landmark,' 'Best Musical Attraction,' 'Best Historic Southern Attraction,' and the #1 'Iconic American Attraction.' The TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards named Graceland the most popular attraction in Tennessee and one of the top 25 landmarks in the world and Rolling Stone named it one of 10 Great American Music Landmarks. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit
Los Angeles Times
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
LA Times Today: Inside the legal battles of Elvis Presley's financial legacy
It's been nearly 50 years since Elvis Presley died. And though he earned hundreds of millions of dollars as the King of Rock 'n' Roll, his estate when he died was worth just a tiny fraction of ever since, the Presley heirs have been locked in courtroom battles over allegations of fraud, disputed wills, and questions over the control of his estate. L.A. Times staff writer Stacy Perman wrote about the heartbreak of Elvis's financial legacy.
New York Post
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Rod Stewart sparks backlash with ‘disrespectful' AI-generated Ozzy Osbourne tribute
Foolish Behaviour. Rod Stewart is facing scrutiny for paying tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with an AI-generated clip at one of his recent concerts. The video from the 'Maggie May' singer's show on Friday, August, 1, was captured by a concertgoer and showed footage of Osbourne celebrating in Heaven with other deceased music legends like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Prince, Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse and George Michael as Stewart's 1988 hit 'Forever Young' played in the background. Advertisement 12 Rod Stewart's AI-generated video showed Ozzy Osbourne with several fallen stars. iamsloanesteel/Instagram 12 Ozzy Osbourne and Prince both appeared in the AI-generated video. iamsloanesteel/Instagram AI-generated images of Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, Freddie Mercury, Aaliyah and XXXTentacion also appeared in the clip. Advertisement Osbourne appeared smiling with Turner as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll held onto a selfie stick. In another part of the footage, the late Black Sabbath rocker held the selfie stick as he posed with several of the other late legends. 'Yes the rumors are true: I went to a Rod Stewart concert last night (lol) and witnessed man made horrors beyond my comprehension. Ozzy Osbourne with a selfie stick in heaven smiling with Tina Turner, Bob Marley, Prince, and…XXXTentacion,' the audience member captioned the video. 12 The Black Sabbath frontman was also seen smiling alongside Michael Jackson, who died in 2009. iamsloanesteel/Instagram 12 The rocker was also shown in Heaven with the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll Tina Turner. iamsloanesteel/Instagram Advertisement The concertgoer continued to express their distaste for the tribute, writing over the clip, 'This is the craziest most disrespectful s–t I ever saw in my LIFE!!!' 'Rod Stewart really thought this was a brilliant idea. 😑,' one person responded to the footage. 'I've seen some s—ty AI visuals in concerts but this is a new low. We truly are in the end times,' another replied. Several people insisted that Prince would be the most upset about his image being used for the AI video. 12 The AI-generated clip also showed Ozzy Osbourne with the late Amy Winehouse. iamsloanesteel/Instagram Advertisement 12 Rod Stewart has not responded to the backlash.'Weekend at Bernie's vibes. Prince didn't even want his music on Spotify and changed his name to a Symbol to protect his intellectual property I'm 100% sure he wouldn't have signed off on Rod Stuart Puppeteering his face for this tacky 💩,' someone wrote, while a second commented, 'Prince would beat rod stewart with hammers if he knew about this.' Prince changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol in 1993, with many speculating it was a ploy to get out of his contract with his longtime label, Warner Bros. Records. The 'Purple Rain' singer, who died in 2016 at age 57, was then referred to as the 'Artist Formerly Known as Prince.' The Post has reached out to Stewart and Osbourne's rep for comment. 12 Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76. Amy Harris/Invision/AP 12 Getty Images 12 Thousands gathered for his funeral procession in the rocker's hometown of Birmingham, England, on July 30. REUTERS The Prince of Darkness died on July 22 at age 76 following a series of health ailments, including a Parkinson's diagnosis. Advertisement 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,' the statement obtained by The Post from his wife, Sharon Osbourne, and four of his other children, Kelly, Jack, Aimee and Louis, read. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,' his loved ones concluded. 12 His wife, Sharon Osbourne, and their three children Jack, Kelly and Aimee attended the procession. Anita Maric / SWNS 12 His loved ones sobbed as they paid homage to the late Prince of Darkness. REUTERS Advertisement Following his passing, Stewart took to social media and wrote, 'Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there — later rather than sooner.' His wife, Sharon, 72, sobbed alongside their three children, Aimee, 41, Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39, as thousands gathered in the rocker's hometown of Birmingham, England, for his funeral procession on July 30. The 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' singer was laid to rest the next day by the lake at his home in Buckinghamshire following his private funeral, attended by fellow rockers, including his Black Sabbath bandmates, Marilyn Manson, White Zombie frontman Rob Zombie and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. 12 Ozzy Osbourne was laid to rest the following day on July 31. Advertisement On Monday, Kelly shared a heartfelt message to fans, thanking them for their support while giving an update on how her family is coping after losing its patriarch. 'Grief is a strange thing — it sneaks up on your in waves,' she said in part. 'I will not be OK for a while — but knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference.'
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Heartbreak estate: Inside the legal battles of Elvis Presley's financial legacy
In the summer of 2021, Priscilla Presley seemed to be riding high. The ex-wife of the King of Rock 'n' Roll had appeared at Graceland during the annual Elvis Week celebration and later hosted a three-day festival at the famous manse extolling the virtues of elegant Southern living. Then there were the highly anticipated upcoming biopics: director Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis" and Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla" based on her 1985 memoir, for which she served as an executive producer. Privately, however, it was a difficult time for the actress. Priscilla was mourning the passing of her mother, just a year after her grandson, Benjamin Keough, the only son of her daughter Lisa Marie Presley, had committed suicide at 27. Adding to her personal woes, Elvis' former bride was in a serious financial hole, as court filings would later claim. Then she met Brigitte Kruse, a flamboyant, fifth-generation auctioneer and self-styled philanthropist who specialized in high-profile celebrity memorabilia, royal objects, estates and fine jewelry sales. In 2017, Kruse gained a measure of renown when she sold an abandoned private plane known as the "lost jet" once owned by Elvis for $498,000. After the pair were introduced, they launched a joint venture that would cash in on Priscilla's famous name, image and likeness through her paid public appearances and other projects. Within months of their initial meeting, Priscilla began lending her name to some of Kruse's online Elvis memorabilia auctions with GWS Auctions Inc., based in Agoura Hills, California. Less than two years later, their partnership was in tatters, with the two women trading bitter allegations in dueling lawsuits. Priscilla, 80, called Kruse, who was half her age, a "con-artist and pathological liar" who had forced her into a "form of indentured servitude," leading her into signing away 80% of her income and conning her out of more than $1 million, according to the fraud and elder abuse lawsuit she filed against Kruse and her business associates in Los Angeles last year. Kruse, who did not respond to requests for comment, has disputed Priscilla Presley's claims, depicting herself in court filings as her financial savior who faced retaliation after she sued Priscilla for breach of contract a year earlier. The litigation is the latest in a string of legal battles that Priscilla and the Presley heirs have been involved in since Elvis died nearly 50 years ago, leaving a financial legacy as messy and fraught as the King's life. While the storied Presley family has forever been enshrined in celebrity as America's reigning pop culture icons, Elvis' estate has long been the spigot of his heirs' fortunes and misfortunes, spilling out from the gates of Graceland. As Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of Elvis Presley Enterprises once said about another dispute involving the estate: "People have been trying to take from Elvis since Elvis was Elvis." Inheriting a messy estate When 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu met Elvis Presley in 1959, he was already Elvis. She was the stepdaughter of an U.S. Air Force officer, living in West Germany where the rocker, then 24, was stationed during his military service. Four years later, Priscilla moved to Memphis and stepped inside the gilded cage of Elvis' fame. In 1967, the couple married in Las Vegas. With the birth of their daughter Lisa Marie nine months later, a rock 'n' roll dynasty was born. But life inside of the irresistible mythology of Elvis proved stifling. He was mostly on tour and in a haze of drugs and affairs. At 28, Priscilla divorced the rocker, but not his stardom. She built an agile career out of the ashes of their romance. Priscilla went on to become an actress with a recurring role in the 1980s CBS hit series "Dallas," starred in several of the "Naked Gun" movies and appeared in other television shows; she also authored books and launched a fragrance. But she never strayed far from the buzzy afterlife of Elvis' orbit. When Elvis died in 1977, their daughter Lisa Marie was just 9 and his father, Vernon Presley, took the reins as executor of his estate. After Vernon died in 1979, Priscilla, a successor trustee, assumed the role of primary manager. Despite the celebrated influence and global popularity of Elvis, who was estimated to have earned anywhere between $100 million to $1 billion, his estate was in shambles - worth only about $5 million. Graceland's costly maintenance and massive IRS bills were fast depleting Lisa Marie's inheritance. The poor state of affairs was due in part to Elvis' profligate spending. He was known to lavish Cadillacs and jewelry on friends, many of whom were also on his payroll. But his fortune's wane was exacerbated by the abusive control that his longtime manager Col. Tom Parker exerted over his business affairs. The cigar-chomping Parker, who died in 1997, was a former carnival barker and a compulsive gambler. He wasn't, however, a colonel - the Dutch-born "Parker's" real name was Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk. During his time as Elvis' manager, Parker took commissions as high as 50%, and frequently cut deals that enriched himself at the rocker's expense. Four years before Elvis died, Parker sold off his back catalog to RCA for $5.4 million (with Parker taking $2.6 million and Elvis $2.8 million), depriving the estate of untold millions in royalties. In 1981, the co-executors of Elvis' estate (an attorney separately represented Lisa Marie), sued Parker for massive fraud and mismanagement, claiming he received the "lion's share" of Elvis' income, even after his death. The parties eventually reached an out-of-court settlement. Reviving Graceland But the years of profound missteps and mismanagement left Elvis' estate facing the prospect of bankruptcy and worse, having to sell Graceland. Priscilla brought in a team of financial advisers and lawyers who engineered a stunning financial turnaround. In 1981, the Elvis Presley Trust created Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. to conduct business and manage the trust's assets, including Graceland, which was opened to the public the following year. Now a National Historic Landmark, the tourist shrine generates an estimated $10 million annually. By the time Lisa Marie inherited her father's estate upon her 25th birthday in 1993, the estate had rebounded. Two decades later, Graceland, along with the merchandising of Elvis' image and managing his music royalties, was worth upward of $500 million. Then, in 2005, Elvis' estate changed hands. Lisa Marie agreed to sell 85% of EPE's assets, including her father's likeness rights, to music entrepreneur Robert F.X. Sillerman and his company CKX Inc. for $114 million. Under the deal, Lisa Marie retained 15% of the trust and received $50 million in cash as well as $26 million in CKX common and preferred stock. She also retained sole ownership of Graceland and her father's personal items. Priscilla received $6.5 million for the use of the family name, Fortune reported. But in 2013, CKX Inc. sold its majority interest in the estate to the intellectual property firm Authenic Brands Group for a reported $145 million. The problems that had long trailed the estate surfaced again five years later. This time it was Lisa Marie who alleged she had been duped. Then 50 and in the middle of divorcing her fourth husband Michael Lockwood, the father of her twin girls, she sued her business manager Barry Siegel. She claimed that as a result of his "reckless and negligent mismanagement" the trust had dwindled to just $14,000 and was left with $500,000 in credit card debt. Siegel denied the allegations and countersued, claiming that she had "squandered" her fortune as a result of her "excessive spending." At the time, court filings related to her divorce from Lockwood, revealed that she was $16.7 million in debt. A mother, daughter feud When Lisa Marie died suddenly in January 2023 at the age of 54, another tense legal battle erupted over the estate and the trust Lisa Marie had set up. Within weeks of her death, Priscilla went to court to challenge an amendment that removed her as a trustee, making her granddaughter, the actress Riley Keough, sole trustee. Priscilla's lawyers argued that the signature was "inconsistent" with Lisa Marie's handwriting. The matter was settled five months later. Keough was named sole trustee. In exchange for stepping down, Priscilla received a $1 million lump sum payment paid out of Lisa Marie's $25 million life insurance policy and was made a special adviser for a trust relating to EPE, for which she would receive $100,000 annually for 10 years or until her death. Priscilla was also granted permission to be buried in the Meditation Garden at Graceland near Elvis' gravesite and to be given a memorial service on the property. 'Dame' Kruse By spring 2023, as Priscilla resolved her dispute with her daughter's estate, Kruse's presence and influence in her personal and business affairs deepened. When they met, Priscilla was in her mid-70s and her main source of income derived from her paid personal appearances. Kruse's suit described Presley's celebrity as "a mere shadow of what it once was, and her earning potential was only a fraction of what it previously was." Moreover, she claimed that Priscilla was 60 days away from financial disaster, and drowning under $700,000 in outstanding tax debts. Then 39, Kruse was publicly portrayed as a success, active in the worlds of celebrity and philanthropy and who spoke multiple languages. She highlighted her advocacy for children with autism and AIDS research; donating money to related causes and delivering toys to orphans in global conflict zones with her husband, Vahe Sislyan. On social media and in news releases, Kruse showcased her activities and accolades, posting images alongside various marquee names such as the pop star Gwen Stefani and President Donald Trump and his wife Melania. In 2016, seven years after Kruse and her husband founded GWS, she was the first female auctioneer to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records (for selling the largest abandoned world property). Kruse formally added the honorific title "Dame" to her name after a member of the royal Italian Medici family conferred the title of Cavaliere, a kind of knighthood, on her. In media interviews, Kruse liked to say that the sale of Elvis' "lost jet" had seared her reputation as the rocker's memorabilia dealer. Over the years she was prolific, selling a number of his items, including the Smith & Wesson that he was said to have purchased in 1973 after he was attacked onstage in Las Vegas. According to Priscilla, she first met Kruse in June 2021 after the auctioneer texted her saying she'd like to meet for lunch. They dined at Gucci Osteria in Beverly Hills followed by numerous other get-togethers in Los Angeles. Kruse introduced her to her "business partner," Kevin Fialko, "an investor, experienced businessman, and financial expert," who "would help Kruse get my financial affairs in order," according to a declaration submitted by Priscilla. "When I first met Brigitte Kruse, she wanted to involve me in her auction business," she wrote in her March declaration. From there, Kruse "quickly immersed herself" in Priscilla's life, "often sending her multiple text messages a day, and "telling her how much she loved her and admired her," according to her elder abuse complaint. She also talked up her credentials, lineage and expertise in the auction business as well as her "connections to celebrities." In September 2021, Priscilla participated in one of GWS' online auctions that featured a private lunch with her and Kruse, with a portion of the proceeds going to a charity. A number of Elvis items were also auctioned off, such as the white eyelet jumpsuit cape he wore during his 1972 performances at Madison Square Garden and a jar of his hair. "She's just such a wealth of experience and knowledge. You don't study and learn about Elvis without learning about Priscilla as well. Their names are synonymous," Kruse told People. The following year, Kruse's GWS conducted an online auction billed as "The Lost Jewelry Collection of Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker," including watches, rings and cuff links that Elvis had bought or commissioned for his manager. Although she didn't own any of the items, Priscilla provided "letters of recollection" vouching for her personal historical memories of many of them, according to the auction's online catalog notes. "There is so much product out there that is not authentic at all and that worries me," she said in a video with Reuters after viewing the collection. "I want to know for sure that that is going to go to someone who is going to care for it, love it." By January 2023, Priscilla and Kruse agreed to set up several companies to exploit Priscilla's name and image and to bolster Kruse's Elvis memorabilia auctions through Priscilla's written "recollections." The terms of their agreement gave Kruse 51% and Presley 49% of Priscilla Presley Partners LLC, according to court filings. Soon after, however, Priscilla alleged Kruse and Fialko "expanded the scope of their interest in my affairs, seeking to inject themselves into every area of my life." They gained her trust and isolated her from key advisers, setting the stage for "a meticulously planned and abhorrent scheme," intended "to drain her of every last penny she had," Presley alleged in her lawsuit. Presley says that she was "fraudulently induced" to sign documents without the opportunity to review them in advance or "advised as to the nature of the paperwork." The contracts gave Kruse a controlling interest in her name, image and likeness in perpetuity. They also granted her power of attorney over Priscilla's affairs and health care and named Kruse a trustee on her personal and family trusts, according to Priscilla's declaration. Along with Fialko, Kruse closed Priscilla's bank accounts and opened new ones "in an effort to transfer the funds of Presley's various personal, business and trust accounts." Priscilla claims she also signed a five-year lease on a house in Orlando, Florida, owned by Sislyan, that she never asked for or wanted. Further, Priscilla alleges in a declaration that Kruse and Fialko leaned on Coppola to get a credit on the biopic and diverted $120,000 of money Presley earned from the film into their own accounts. When Lisa Marie died, Priscilla contended that Kruse and Fialko improperly inserted themselves into her legal dispute over her daughter's trust, she said in her complaint. They also had the "audacity" to demand that they were allowed "to attend any memorial service for Presley in the future," she added. By August 2023, Priscilla severed ties with Kruse. A lawyer representing Kruse and Fialko did not respond to a request for comment. A few months later, Kruse, through Priscilla Presley Partners, sued for breach of contract, saying Priscilla asked Kruse to take over her business affairs, requiring her to "devote her attention full-time to managing Priscilla's life" in order to "monetize various aspects of her (Presley's) life." Kruse and Fialko maintained they worked tirelessly to keep Priscilla from "financial ruin and public embarrassment," and that she fully understood the agreements she was signing. Meanwhile, others began to question the authenticity around some of GWS's Elvis sales. When GWS held another online auction of Elvis memorabilia in January 2023 that included a one-of-a-kind grommet jacket that Elvis wore in 1972, it drew the attention of Elvis Presley Enterprises. "We know there was only one made, and guess what? We have it in our archives," Weinshanker, EPE's managing partner, told NBC News, last July. GWS said the claims were unsubstantiated: "GWS stands behind everything that it sells, and categorically denies tracking in fake or inauthentic items attributed to Elvis Presley, or otherwise." The tensions escalated last November, after GWS announced another "lost" collection auction of Elvis and Col. Parker memorabilia, comprising 400 items. The cache of documents included telegrams Elvis and Parker sent to Frank Sinatra, the Beatles and others, handwritten notes and Elvis' signed 1956 contract with the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, included in the auction, that rang alarm bells. The estate's lawyers in December sent a cease and desist letter to GWS, claiming the listed auction items were the property of Graceland and demanded their immediate return. Nonetheless, GWS went forward with the sale, contending in a letter it had acted appropriately. On Dec. 24, the estate sued GWS, Kruse and two others, claiming the items belonged to Graceland and were "improperly and illegally offered for sale at auction." They sought to recover at least 74 "irreplaceable documents," and alleged that the defendants were in "possession of perhaps thousands more such items." According to the suit, the allegedly "stolen" items were part of an enormous trove that the estate acquired from Parker in 1990 for $1.25 million. GWS has denied that it had engaged in "any wrongdoing whatsoever." Elvis' estate alleges that a former Parker employee named Greg McDonald "took possession" of the documents that should have been turned over to Graceland after Parker died. Instead, when McDonald died in 2024, his widow Sherry and son Thomas McDonald, who are named as defendants, "took possession of the Property and then delivered it to Brigitte Kruse for sale at GWS," the lawsuit states. The suit further asserted that Kruse was aware of the circumstances in which Greg McDonald obtained the items before putting them up for sale. In an email thread between Kruse and Graceland's longtime archivist in 2021, included in the filings, Kruse wrote that she had a video of her in conversation with McDonald in which he "admits to knowing of the theft," in regards to the documents. An attorney for Kruse disputed the claim, saying in a statement that when she had informed the Elvis estate of the existence of McDonald's collection in 2021, "they did not make a claim to Mr. McDonald alleging that the collection was not rightfully his." GWS "never maintained care, custody or control of any of the items" that were auctioned," the statement read. "We will continue to respect the judicial process and the outcome of the ongoing litigation." In a statement to the Los Angeles Times on behalf of himself and his mother, Thomas McDonald said: "The property in which Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises are asserting ownership has been in my family's possession for over forty years as gifts from the Colonel. I am committed to resolving this dispute and vindicating my family's rights as expediently and fairly as possible." Lawyers for EPE and Graceland Holdings did not respond to a request for comment. As the various lawsuits were unfolding, last April, GWS Auctions was suspended by the Franchise Tax board in California, effectively losing its standing to operate legally due to noncompliance with tax requirements. In court filings, Kruse and her co-defendants are cited as saying that GWS is "defunct." However, GWS' website remains active and currently lists the results of its most recent auction: the Artifacts of Hollywood and Music sale held on June 7 (that included the racing helmet Elvis wore in "Viva Las Vegas," that sold for $6,500). Last month, Elvis' former wife scored a legal win when a Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied a motion by Kruse and her business associates to temporarily put a hold on the elder abuse lawsuit in an effort to move the litigation to Florida. In his ruling, Judge Mark H. Epstein expressed frustration with the defendants' "never-ending series of motions," underscoring that this was not a a contract-based case. Presley "is suing these defendants for fraud and elder abuse, an aspect of which was allegedly bamboozling her into signing those agreements in the first place." The ongoing clash with Kruse has left Priscilla "devastated," said her attorney, Wayne Harman. "We look forward to the court holding defendants fully accountable for their actions," he said in a statement. Amid the fallout with Kruse, the estate faced another controversy. A mysterious company, Naussany Investments & Private Lending, presented documents claiming that Lisa Marie had borrowed $3.8 million and put up Graceland as collateral but had failed to repay the loan before she died. But it was an elaborate scam, according to federal authorities, who in August arrested a Missouri woman, Lisa Jeanine Findley, alleging she used fake documents to "steal the family's ownership interest in Graceland" and attempted to put it up for sale. In February, Findley pleaded guilty to mail fraud for her role in the scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. _____ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
