Priscilla Presley was recently observed in Los Angeles, her demeanor appearing somber, indicative of the profound emotional toll she has experienced over the last two challenging years. At 80, Elvis Presley’s former spouse has endured significant personal grief and intricate legal battles, beginning with the heartbreaking passing of her only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in January 2023. Lisa Marie died at 54 due to complications from a prior weight-loss surgery. Since then, Priscilla’s life has been overshadowed by sorrow, ongoing legal conflicts, and allegations of financial exploitation.

Following Lisa Marie’s death, Priscilla found herself embroiled in a high-profile legal dispute with her granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, concerning the administration of the Presley estate. Although this particular conflict was resolved by late 2023, new legal troubles swiftly emerged. Priscilla is now pursuing legal action against her former business associates, alleging they financially manipulated her and illicitly exploited her identity and image. In a $1 million lawsuit, she claims she was coerced into agreements that stripped her of authority and diverted the majority of her earnings.

The lawsuit, obtained by DailyMail.com, names Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan, Lynn Walker Wright, and Priscilla Presley Partners LLC as defendants. According to the complaint, Kruse and her collaborators allegedly convinced Priscilla that her previous financial advisors were untrustworthy, prompting her to sign contracts that ultimately granted her only a 20% stake in her own brand. Priscilla accuses them of establishing companies using her name and likeness, retaining the bulk of the profits, and effectively marginalizing her. She further asserts the group rerouted income from Sofia Coppola’s 2023 biopic Priscilla and unlawfully used $40,000 from an account belonging to her son, Navarone Garibaldi.

On Monday, Priscilla was photographed in the affluent Bel-Air neighborhood. Her appearance seemed weary, her face seemingly bearing the weight of recent adversities. Dressed in a floral blouse with dark slacks and her characteristic red hair neatly tied back, she endeavored to maintain her customary elegance despite the ongoing circumstances.

Priscilla claims her former partners capitalized on her vulnerability and trust during a difficult period. The complaint asserts they added themselves to her financial accounts, transferred funds without authorization, and undermined her long-standing relationships with her banks. She also alleges they sabotaged a potential investment in a cosmetics company, instead diverting a $300,000 payment for their personal gain. Her attorney, Marty Singer, underscored the gravity of the claims, stating that the lawsuit aims to invalidate the contracts and hold the defendants accountable for financial impropriety and elder abuse.

Kruse and Fialko vehemently deny the accusations, characterizing Priscilla’s lawsuit as an act of retaliation. According to their legal representatives, Kruse played a crucial role in extricating Priscilla from financial distress, asserting that Presley was nearing insolvency with tax debts close to $700,000 when their collaboration began. Court documents from Kruse, who initiated her own lawsuit against Priscilla in early 2024, claim she helped stabilize Presley’s finances and develop business ventures connected to the promotional momentum surrounding the Priscilla film.

Kruse contends she invested significant time and resources into these projects but was abruptly dismissed in mid-2023 without compensation for her efforts. Kruse’s suit alleges she helped establish Priscilla Presley Partners in 2022 to manage the star’s business affairs. She claims she protected Presley from public embarrassment and financial ruin, asserting that she was never paid for profits generated from their joint work.

While both parties have initiated lawsuits, Priscilla has requested the court to dismiss Kruse’s claims. Her attorney argues that Priscilla terminated the partnership after discovering what she believes were attempts by Kruse and Fialko to misappropriate funds and execute unauthorized transactions. Singer maintains that Priscilla had expressed serious concerns about financial misconduct well before Kruse’s suit was filed and expresses confidence the court will rule in his client’s favor.

Kruse had previously collaborated closely with Priscilla, promoting events together as recently as early 2023. Social media posts from 2021 and 2022 show Kruse advertising appearances featuring Priscilla, including a luncheon in Beverly Hills and an event in Florida. Kruse’s professional profile describes her as a prominent figure in the auction world with a history of high-profile memorabilia sales and charitable endeavors. However, Priscilla’s lawsuit presents a starkly different narrative, labeling Kruse a “con artist” and accusing her of deceptive practices.

The legal dispute continues, with both sides preparing to present their arguments in court. For Priscilla, the lawsuit is more than just a pursuit of financial recovery; it is a fight to reassert control over her name, legacy, and sense of peace after two years of profound loss and disruption. As her legal battle unfolds, it is evident that the woman who once epitomized rock and roll royalty is still navigating a challenging path—this time, not under the public gaze of Graceland, but within the intricate yet demanding confines of the legal system.