Priscilla Presley Accuses Former Business Partner of Financial Elder Abuse, Straining Relationships with Riley Keough and Sofia Coppola.
Priscilla Presley, 79, has presented an emotional statement in court as part of her ongoing legal dispute with her former business partner, Brigitte Kruse, whom she accuses of financial elder abuse. In her declaration, Priscilla describes how the situation has impacted her relationships with her granddaughter, Riley Keough, and filmmaker Sofia Coppola. The legal battle, which Priscilla initiated in California, has intensified, with Brigitte disputing the state's jurisdiction.
Priscilla Presley with Riley Keough
The Beginning of a Troubling Relationship
Priscilla first encountered Brigitte in 2021 when Kruse was operating a business centered on selling Elvis Presley memorabilia. According to Priscilla, Brigitte gradually took control of her finances with the help of others. This shift culminated in Priscilla signing agreements that allocated 80 percent of her earnings from deals to Brigitte and her associates.
In a statement from Priscilla's legal team, they explained, "This action arises out of a meticulously planned and abhorrent scheme by the defendants in this action to prey on an older woman by gaining her trust, isolating her from the most important people in her life, and duping her into believing that they would take care of her (personally and financially), while their real goal was to drain her of every last penny she had."
Accusations of Manipulation and Strained Relationships
Priscilla’s declaration goes on to explain how Brigitte, along with others, worked to distance her from her trusted advisors. “They broadened their involvement in my affairs, striving to insert themselves into all aspects of my life,” Priscilla wrote. “Under the pretense of ‘assisting’ me with my financial matters, which the defendants claimed were being poorly managed by my long-standing advisors, they deceived me into relinquishing control over my finances and granting them access to my funds.”
Priscilla further explained how Brigitte’s efforts to control her finances also led to her increasing involvement in personal matters. “She began to assert more and more control over my life (and in particular, my finances). She made an effort to inject herself into every business deal I had at the time and personal disputes that had nothing to do with her.”
Strained Professional Relationships
Priscilla provided specific instances to illustrate the detrimental impact of Brigitte's interference. One notable example involved Brigitte's interaction with Priscilla’s longtime business manager, Barry Siegel. “Brigitte had a meeting with my long-time business manager, Barry Siegel, and made every effort to interfere with my relationship with him so that she could take over control over my finances,” Priscilla wrote in her declaration.
Additionally, Priscilla revealed that Brigitte “strained” her relationship with director Sofia Coppola. Coppola, 53, directed the 2023 film Priscilla, which tells the story of Priscilla’s early life with Elvis. According to Priscilla, Brigitte made an attempt to insert herself into the film's production deal. “She made a concerted effort to inject herself into the deal that I already had negotiated pertaining to the adaptation of my book into the feature film, Priscilla, by sending multiple communications to the film’s director in Los Angeles, Sofia Coppola, attempting to get a credit on the picture, and attempting to get invited to the film’s premiere,” Priscilla explained.
Sofia Coppola and Priscilla Presley (@priscillapresley Instagram)
Priscilla also stated that Brigitte's “interference, which was motivated by her own interests but presented as 'helping me,' strained my relationship with Sofia Coppola.”
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement and Theft
Priscilla further accused Brigitte of financial misconduct, including transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars from her bank accounts without her authorization. Priscilla's declaration also noted how Brigitte’s actions extended beyond financial matters and infiltrated family issues.
"Brigitte made every effort to inject herself into a family issue that I was having when my daughter, Lisa Marie, unexpectedly passed away in January 2023, including (but not limited to) by making multiple unrequested trips to California to meet with me, interfering with legal negotiations and a resulting settlement agreement, and causing strife between me and my granddaughter," Priscilla wrote.
In March 2023, Priscilla and Riley Keough reached a resolution regarding the control of Lisa Marie’s trust, which governs the Elvis businesses and Graceland. Under the agreement, Riley was named the exclusive administrator of the trust. Sources indicated that Priscilla received a significant one-time payment but relinquished her pursuit to become a co-administrator.
The Legal Battle and Brigitte’s Defense
Priscilla is hopeful that the statement outlining her dealings with Brigitte in California will persuade the judge to retain jurisdiction in the state. Brigitte has previously dismissed the allegations through her legal representative. In a statement from Brigitte’s team, they argued, “The suit filed is a retaliatory lawsuit due to the one filed by Priscilla’s business partners last year. We are confident that the facts will speak for themselves, and justice will prevail."
Brigitte Kruse with Priscilla Presley (@dame_brigitte_kruse_ Instagram)
They also expressed their disappointment, saying, “It saddens all of us who dropped our lives to provide aid to a woman who needed help and she is now attempting to use her celebrity status to ruin the lives of kind, hardworking people.”
“We will continue to focus on our business and look forward to our day in court. The truth will come out by way of evidence and not rumors. There will be no further comment at this time as we respect the judicial process,” the statement concluded.
Priscilla Presley’s court battle against her former business associate, Brigitte Kruse, is a complex and emotionally charged dispute that brings attention to the vulnerable position of aging individuals in financial matters. Priscilla, at 79, alleges that Kruse manipulated her into relinquishing control over her finances, claiming financial elder abuse and interference with personal relationships. This legal struggle highlights the emotional toll of such exploitation, particularly how it has affected her bonds with her granddaughter, Riley Keough, and filmmaker Sofia Coppola.
Priscilla's accusations of Brigitte isolating her from trusted advisors and inserting herself into personal and professional matters raise important questions about the ethics of business relationships and the responsibility to protect those who may be more susceptible to manipulation. The alleged interference in the adaptation of Priscilla’s memoir into a film further underscores the gravity of the situation, showing how such abuse can extend beyond financial exploitation to strain personal and professional connections.
