The Presley family name has always been synonymous with drama, but a new $50 million lawsuit involving Priscilla Presley, Elvis’s ex-wife, and her former business partners has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the music world. The case, filed in California state court, is packed with jaw-dropping allegations, twists, and personal claims that have fans and legal experts alike glued to every development. At the heart of it all are claims about the final days of Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla’s daughter, whose death in 2023 remains a source of heartbreak and controversy.

The plaintiffs, Bridget Cruz and Kevin Fialo, along with a collection of companies, are suing Priscilla Presley, her associate Kia Morgan, and several unnamed defendants. Cruz, a well-known auctioneer specializing in coveted Elvis memorabilia, and Fialo, a Desert Storm veteran and entrepreneur with a vast Elvis collection, allege they were drawn into Priscilla’s orbit as she sought help managing her finances and brand. What began as a business partnership soon unraveled into a saga of accusations, broken trust, and high-stakes legal battles.

The complaint wastes no time in setting the stage, casting Priscilla as someone who always wanted to be the queen to Elvis’s king—a woman who, behind the scenes, was determined to control her image and legacy at any cost. The lawsuit alleges a tumultuous relationship between Priscilla and Lisa Marie, with money at the center of their disputes. According to the plaintiffs, after Elvis’s death in 1977, his estate was placed in trust for Lisa Marie. Yet, when Elvis’s father was dying, Priscilla allegedly forced her way into co-executive status, taking over management of the trust and, ultimately, the Presley legacy.

Fast forward to Lisa Marie’s 25th birthday, when she inherited the estate and set up her own trust—the Promenade Trust—to protect her assets, estimated at around $100 million. The plaintiffs claim Priscilla exploited the Presley name to fund her lifestyle and demanded $6.5 million in 2005 for personal gain. They allege Priscilla entered into agreements with Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE), now owned by Authentic Brands Group (ABG), selling her rights to Elvis’s name, image, and likeness for millions long before her business partners were brought on board.

As the story unfolds, the complaint paints a picture of Priscilla clinging to Lisa Marie, envying her daughter’s place in the spotlight while allegedly mismanaging her finances. When Lisa Marie discovered these alleged betrayals, she amended her trust, listing her son Ben and daughter Riley Keough as successor trustees. The plaintiffs say Priscilla burned through her money, was financially destitute by 2021, and owed nearly $700,000 to the IRS.

Cruz and Fialo claim Priscilla approached them for help, promising not to compete with their efforts to build her brand and to disclose all business opportunities. Unbeknownst to them, Priscilla had already sold her IP rights years earlier, a fact only revealed when Riley Keough shared details with the plaintiffs. Despite this, Cruz and Fialo say they invested hundreds of thousands of dollars, managed PR, drafted statements, and worked tirelessly to grow Priscilla’s brand—only to be cut out when Priscilla allegedly went rogue, exploiting her name and likeness without their involvement.

The lawsuit takes a dramatic turn with allegations about Lisa Marie’s final days. The plaintiffs recount the tense lead-up to the 2023 Golden Globes, where Lisa Marie and Priscilla were both set to attend in support of the Elvis biopic. Lisa Marie, reportedly ill and in a long-running dispute with Priscilla and her financial manager Barry Seagull, was preparing to remove Priscilla as trustee of her life insurance trust. The complaint alleges that Priscilla ignored Lisa Marie’s health concerns, opting for drinks at the Chateau Marmont instead of seeking medical attention. Within 24 hours, Lisa Marie suffered cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital.

In the most shocking claim, the plaintiffs allege Priscilla “pulled the plug” on Lisa Marie within hours of her admission, despite Lisa Marie’s directive to prolong her life. They say Priscilla demanded a statement be released to control the narrative, asserting her authority over Graceland and the Presley estate. Whether this deeply personal and emotional aspect of the complaint will be allowed in court remains to be seen, as its relevance to the business dispute at hand is likely to be hotly debated.

The plaintiffs further allege that after Lisa Marie’s death, Priscilla sought to regain control of the trust and Graceland, brokering a deal with Riley Keough that included a $2.4 million payment to herself. Cruz claims he was contacted by Kia Morgan, who allegedly posed as an attorney and made veiled threats, promising to help Priscilla reclaim her name and image rights from EPE. Morgan, who has faced elder abuse allegations in other high-profile cases, is accused of launching a smear campaign against Cruz and Fialo, undermining their business interests and spreading falsehoods.

The complaint lists a dizzying array of causes of action: fraud in the inducement, breach of contract, conversion, intentional interference with business relations, and misappropriation of name, image, and likeness. The plaintiffs say Priscilla misrepresented her ownership of IP rights, took money from company accounts without permission, and breached multiple agreements by exploiting her brand independently. They want damages for their financial losses, punitive damages for alleged intentional misconduct, and court orders to prevent Priscilla from further violating their agreements.

Supporting documentation attached to the complaint includes Lisa Marie’s advanced healthcare directive, memorandums of understanding between Priscilla and the plaintiffs, and text messages that could serve as key evidence. The case is set to involve extensive discovery, with financial records, communications, trust documents, and depositions from crucial witnesses like Riley Keough likely to play a central role.

Legal experts are already weighing in on the chances of success. With so many allegations, the plaintiffs may be able to show a pattern of behavior, but they will need to prove the actual financial harm they suffered and the validity of their claims. The most sensational aspects of the complaint—particularly those involving Lisa Marie’s death—may be deemed too prejudicial or irrelevant to the core business dispute, with the judge potentially excluding them from trial.

As the lawsuit moves forward, Priscilla Presley faces a public relations nightmare, with her reputation and legacy under intense scrutiny. The legal battle is sure to be a rollercoaster, with twists and revelations that will keep fans and observers riveted. Whether the case settles quietly or explodes into a full-blown courtroom drama, one thing is certain: the Presley name remains as captivating—and as complicated—as ever.

For now, all eyes are on the California courts, where the fate of Priscilla Presley’s brand, her business relationships, and her family legacy will be decided. The outcome could reshape not only her future, but the way we remember the Presley dynasty. Stay tuned, because this story is far from over.