Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the iconic Elvis Presley, has opened up about her deep fears and concerns for her father during his struggles with addiction. In a poignant reflection on their relationship, she recalls moments of vulnerability where she expressed her anxiety about Elvis’s declining health and the potential consequences of his drug use.

By the 1970s, Elvis’s once-vibrant persona had been overshadowed by a growing reliance on prescription medications. This decline was evident not only to his friends and family but also to young Lisa Marie, who was acutely aware of the heavy atmosphere that filled Graceland. Despite her tender age, she sensed that all was not well and felt compelled to voice her fears to her father during quiet moments together.

In Alena Nash’s book, “The Colonel,” Lisa Marie recounts a heartwarming memory from her childhood when she was just five or six years old. While watching television with Elvis, she looked up at him and expressed her fears directly: “Daddy, Daddy, I don’t want you to die.” Elvis’s response was gentle and reassuring, as he promised, “Okay, I won’t. Don’t worry about it.” This exchange reflects not only her innocence as a child but also her instinctive understanding of the seriousness of her father’s situation.

Lisa Marie recalls having these conversations multiple times, indicative of her persistent concern for Elvis’s well-being. She shared that her awareness of his struggles was not just a fleeting thought; it was an ongoing dialogue that underscored the deep bond between father and daughter. “I guess I was picking something up,” she remarked, recognizing her ability to sense the gravity of her father’s health issues at such a young age.

Tragically, Lisa Marie was present at Graceland when Elvis passed away on August 16, 1977. As one of the last people to see him alive, the impact of that moment left an indelible mark on her. In a 2012 interview, she described the early morning when she was supposed to be asleep but felt her father’s presence. Just before bed, Elvis had tucked her in and kissed her goodnight, unaware that it would be their final interaction. When she awoke to the unsettling intuition that something was wrong, it marked the beginning of a painful realization that her beloved father was gone.

Following Elvis’s death, Lisa Marie’s visits to Graceland changed significantly. She tended to avoid the upstairs area, a poignant reminder of her father’s absence. According to Nancy Rooks, a maid at Graceland, Lisa Marie’s demeanor shifted, and she rarely ventured upstairs unless she needed something from Elvis’s closet. This behavior highlighted the emotional complexity she faced in confronting memories associated with that part of the house.

In an effort to keep her father’s memory alive, Lisa Marie selected a simple black-and-white cap from his closet during a rare visit upstairs. Rooks observed the quiet intensity of the moment, recognizing that the weight of her father’s death was a heavy burden for a child of her age to bear.

Lisa Marie Presley’s heartfelt reflections reveal the profound impact of a daughter’s love amid the tumultuous challenges of addiction and loss. Her memories serve as a testament to the deep bond shared between her and Elvis, illustrating the lasting influence of their relationship as she navigated the complexities of grief and remembrance in the years following his passing.