Elvis’
secret daughter
For years there have been rumours that Elvis Presley fathered multiple children. And US woman Deborah Presley insists she’s the daughter of the late icon.
For the first time, Deborah, 62, reveals how her mother Barbara met the King before he rose to stardom but after getting pregnant chose a different partner and a completely new path.
Tell us about your book, Star Seed...
It spans from spring 1954, when my parents [Barbara and Elvis] first met, in Charlotte, North Carolina. My father was 19 and undiscovered, and my mother was 14. They met at a recording studio.
When did you find out that your dad was Elvis?
I have memories of him and over time I’d have flashbacks. I thought he lived in the radio in the car as a child! When I was about 13, the man who raised me [Don] was driving me to school one day – he was very violent – and he said something like, “You don’t know who your daddy is? He’s a half-breed singer.” I thought, “What does that even mean?” Years later, I was lying in bed with my boyfriend, and he knew I was really upset about it. I kept hitting brick walls. He said, “Your mother knew [Elvis] before he was famous. That’s it!”
Did you ever see him perform live?
My mother was taking me to see him when he came to town. She said that they would explain [everything] to me, but then he died. All those tickets were refunded.
Do you think Elvis has other children?
Yeah.
Do you think that all of those cases are legitimate?
I don’t think any of the ones you read about are.
Did he ever send you letters?
He sent my mother letters. She cut out the lining of a purse and that’s where she kept some of his letters. Then she said that daddy Don got really upset at one point and forced her to tell where they were – and he burned them.
When did you get confirmation from your mother that Elvis was your father?
August 16 [1977], the day he died. I watched her drive down the driveway and the radio was saying, “The King is dead!” She gets out of the car, I held her. And I just said, “Mama, can you tell me now? He’s dead.” And I remember – I’ll never forget as long as I live – she put her hands on me, and she looked straight in my eyes, and she said, “It’s true he’s your father, and I want you to promise me one thing – that you will never do anything to bring any shame to his name.” And I said, “I promise.”
Your name is legally Presley?
Yes, it is. I changed it.
What’s your favourite song of his?
Don’t Be Cruel.
Why does Lisa Marie Presley say in interviews that she’s “the only daughter of Elvis Presley”?
Because they want to exclude me. They stopped saying it for a while because I had made a problem – and they instead said, “Elvis and Priscilla’s only daughter.”
Is your sister just not ready to talk to you?
I think her mother threatens her, [and there’s] lots of stuff going on with her. I want her to be OK. I love her music. I want to sing with her. I’d be happy to record with her. We sound a lot alike. Through all this, I’ve started singing myself, and our voices just cradle each other. No kidding, if she really wants to make some money, she needs to call me.
If you could say something to Lisa Marie right now, what would it be?
Let’s go to South City and record music together. You’ll get out of debt and I’ll be fine.
‘My mother was taking me to see him but then he died’