Priscilla Presley Accused of ‘Pushing’ Elvis Presley Toward Death in Amended Lawsuit

Priscilla Presley is facing bombshell claims that she allegedly placed “undue [financial] pressure” on her ex-husband Elvis Presley in the spring of 1977, ultimately “pushing him to his death” that August.

Priscilla’s former business partners Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko allege in an amended complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, Sept. 5 that the actress, who has vehemently denied the claims, “knew she was entitled to inherit nothing from Elvis,” to whom she was married for six years before their 1973 divorce.

“Despite enriching herself and extorting millions of dollars from Elvis, she then placed a lien on Graceland on or around April 29, 1977, in the amount of $494,024.49, adding pressure to Elvis less than four months before he died on August 16, 1977, from a heart attack and drug complications. Priscilla exerted undue pressure on Elvis, pushing him to his death,” claims the filing, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

Kruse and Fialko also allege in the amended complaint that they “sprang into action to prevent Priscilla’s financial ruin and public embarrassment.” The filing further states, “Despite Elvis’ wishes otherwise, Priscilla continued to exploit the Presley name to fund her lifestyle. Eventually deploying another part of her ‘master plan’ to live off the Presley name, Priscilla demanded $13-plus million in 2005 for her own personal gain.”

Priscilla, 80, has denied the claims. Her attorney Martin D. Singer said in a statement to PEOPLE: “Priscilla did not have anything to do with the assassination of JFK, she did not cover up Area 51, she did not fake the moon landing, and she is not secretly keeping Bigfoot locked in a cabin in Canada.”

“Take off the aluminum foil hat and face reality,” Singer added. “This lawsuit concerns Ms. Presley’s claims against Ms. Kruse (and her co-conspirators) in which she alleges that Ms. Kruse engaged in a relentless and calculated campaign of elder abuse and fraud in order to take control of Ms. Presley’s finances for her own benefit. Ms. Kruse’s allegations are absurd and despicable, but unfortunately, are not surprising. Ms. Presley looks forward to holding Ms. Kruse and her co-conspirators liable for their wrongful acts.”

In response, Jordan Matthews of Holtz Matthews LLP, who represents Kruse and Fialko, said: “Apparently, Ms. Presley’s defense is to list off nonsense hyperbolic statements that have no substance. The documents are in black and white and speak volumes. To date, Ms. Presley has presented zero evidence in support of her salacious claims, and we intend to hold her accountable for her reckless behavior.”

The amended complaint marks the latest development in the legal dispute between Presley and her former business associates. A judge has not yet ruled on the claims.

Kruse and Fialko filed suit against Priscilla in August, alleging that she “schemed” to defraud them, and ignored her daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s health concerns shortly before she died in an attempt to “regain control” of her estate — allegations that Priscilla has denied.

The filing came just over one year after Priscilla filed a lawsuit against them, claiming she was a victim of elder abuse and had $1 million stolen from her. Kruse’s legal team later called the lawsuit “retaliatory” for a 2023 breach of contract suit filed by Kruse.

Priscilla first met the famous crooner in 1959. She was just 14 years old, and Elvis was serving in the army overseas in Germany.

By the time Elvis returned to the United States, the couple had cemented their bond, continuing to correspond long-distance, and in 1963, Priscilla moved to America to be with him. 

The former couple married on May 1, 1967. The shared one daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who died at the age of 54 in January 2023. Priscilla never married after her 1972 divorce from Elvis, but had a notable romance with Marco Garibaldi — with whom she shares son Navarone, 38 — from 1984 to 2006.