Those who closely followed the romance between Elvis and Priscilla know all too well why this particular date holds such a poignant place in their shared history.
It was on October 9, 1973, that the couple officially ended their marriage. From that point forward, they navigated co-parenting together until Elvis passed away at the age of 42 on August 16, 1977.
Priscilla, who also went by Beaulieus, was just 14 years old when she first crossed paths with Elvis in 1959. Their meeting took place in Germany, where Elvis was stationed during his time serving in the army overseas. The American singer and actor felt an immediate attraction to Priscilla. Despite a 10-year age gap, the pair spent years working to secure the reluctant blessings of their parents. Their persistence paid off when Elvis and Priscilla finally tied the knot on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas. Yet their marriage would last only 6 years before Elvis and Priscilla Presley went their separate ways through divorce.
Signs of trouble had surfaced long before the split became official. In fact, the couple underwent a trial separation while Priscilla was in her seventh month of pregnancy. They reunited briefly following the birth of their daughter Lisa Marie, but the marriage continued to deteriorate. Among Priscilla's grievances was her claim that Elvis refused to make love to her.
The union between Elvis and Priscilla stands as one of those celebrity marriages defined by both discord and infidelity. While married to Priscilla, Elvis carried on affairs with other women. Priscilla, for her part, was also unfaithful throughout the marriage, engaging in relationships with her karate instructor and the owner of a dance studio. This turbulent chapter moved the King of Rock N' Roll to pour his emotions into the song "Separate Ways." Released as a single in 1972, it chronicled the toll the divorce took on their young daughter. On the B-side of "Separate Ways" sat yet another deeply emotional track: "Always on My Mind."