1993-2000 Lisa Marie Presley

Donald Trump recalls their time there together


Donald recalls seeing Michael and Lisa walking hand in hand on his estate, seeming lost in a mutual dream. In a photograph taken that day, Lisa was elegantly dressed in a severely tailored, black silk dress that fell in fluid lines around her shapely figure. Michael was wearing a sharp, black suit, scarlet- colored shirt and a matching tie. At one point, he dropped to one knee and kissed her hand. She urged him to is feet; the two embrace. Michael gazed at her intensely, mesmerized by her face. They kissed. He pulled from his vest pocket a small, wrapped box. When she opened it, Lisa’s face lit up. Pearls.

“It was romantic,” Donald Trump recalled, “Later, I asked Michael how things were going and he said “Great. I just got to kiss the most beautiful girl in the world. I hope I’m worthy of her. I think I might marry her.”

“For a while, those two were really getting it on.”

“They made love at the Trump estate,” said another one of Lisa’s confidantes. “She said it was intense, it took her breath away. I have no idea what they were doing, or what he was doing to her, but since she gravitates toward the unconventional, she was out of her mind over this guy. Maybe it’s hard for some to believe,” she concluded “but true, just the same.”


People Magazine on this:
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20103532,00.html


Jackson, who is worth an estimated $100 million, and Presley, whose own fortune tops out at $100 million, have been seen together around New York City for at least six months. Lisa Marie, according to one source, is a regular visitor to Jackson’s duplex apartment in Trump Tower, just beneath Donald and Maria Trump’s triplex home. The romance first came to light early this year, about the time Jackson settled the civil suit filed by the child who had accused him of sexual molestation. Jackson was spotted dining with his friends the Trumps at Manhattan’s Le Cirque restaurant. Apropos of nothing, Jackson suddenly said, “You know what? I’m in love. Her name is Lisa.”

A few weeks later, when Trump invited his friend to visit his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Michael asked, “Can I bring my love interest?” Jackson spent the week with Lisa Marie and her two children, Benjamin Storm, 21 months, and Danielle, 5. She and Michael stayed in separate bedrooms but were otherwise inseparable and affectionate. They spent nearly every evening in a part of the mansion called the Grand Tower, looking at the stars, and left the house together just once. “They walked down Worth Avenue,” says one witness, “and caused a big commotion and came right back.”

Their stay at Trump Towers at Mar-a-Lago according to Donald Trump's book, "Trump: The Art Of The Come Back", published 1997


One of my most interesting Mar a Lago experiences involved the turmoil over Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley. Michael was a friend of mine and a very good guy – but very different. It began in New York, when I got a call from him one day, saying he would be coming to the city and would like to get together. He often called to say hello when he came to New York. This time I invited him out to [page missing]

… military outfit with a large black hat and picked up the menu. It was as if he had never seen a menu before, and we carefully went over each item. But what was most amazing were the looks on the distinguished faces in the room as they came over to our table practically begging for an autograph. These are people who had probably never asked for anyone’s autograph before, and I can guarantee you, it was not easy for them to do. They would always start by saying, I have a son who is a big fan of yours, Mr Jackson. Could you give him an autograph? But I believe it was for them, not their sons. One woman, one of the most socially prominent in New York, known for her attitude approached our table trying to look cool, then slightly tripped. She grabbed the table for support and asked in the same breath, “Mr Jackson, can I have your autograph?” It was amazing to see this woman, whom I have known for years, so flustered and nervous.

Somehow, Michael feels comfortable with me. I asked him how he was doing, and we started talking about his life, including his sex life. I was somewhat surprised when Michael told me he had a new girlfriend. I congratulated him and asked, Who is it? He was very shy and looked down into his napkin, then put the napkin over his face and said, “Trump, Trump, I don’t want to talk about it, I’m so embarrassed.”

I chided him. “Come on, Michael,” I said, “tell me who your new girlfriend is.” When he finally looked up, he said that it was a girl named Lisa Marie. That was the one of the conversation, and we went on to another topic.

A couple of weeks later, I got a call from Michael asking if he could go down to Mar-a-Lago with me. I said absolutely, and we flew down in my plane together. Michael had a small group of people with him. We did a lot of talking. On the flight down, he asked if it would be possible for his girlfriend to come over and say hello and even stay at Mar-a-Lago with him. I said absolutely, I looked forward to meeting her. I asked if it was the same girl, Lisa Marie. He said, yes, it was and she would be arriving sometime around eight o’clock, about an hour after we got to the house.

When the doorbell rang, the butler answered, and a beautiful girl walked through the door. I don’t believe people realize how pretty Lisa Marie Presley’s face really is. She’s got the best of Elvis and Priscilla and I don’t think she has ever been recognized for her incredible glow. In any event, Michael came running down to the living room, greeted her with a hug, and then took her off to look at the ocean. When they came back, holding hands and hugging, they seemed very much in love. I’m not saying that I was surprised at this, but there was never a doubt in my mind that they definitely had something going.

During the weekend we saw very little of Michael and Lisa Marie, since they stayed up in the tower. Then they made the mistake, on Saturday afternoon, of trying to sneak out to sneak out of Mar-a-Lago and go shopping, in disguise, on Worth Avenue. Well, the paparazzi broke out, and all hell broke loose. They were driven in a limousine back to Mar-a-Lago with the paparazzi in pursuit. The rest of the weekend was absolutely wild. Hundreds of cameras surrounded Mar-a-Lago and Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie were stationed in their love nest tower rising high above the house. The press didn’t bother them or me either, but it was quite a frenzy.

I had other guests at Mar-a-Lago, one of them the brilliant New Jersey businessman Arthur Goldberg. He took a company named Bally, which was in tremendous trouble – by any other account should have been bankrupt and defunct – and through sheer talent, energy and force built it into a great company in a short time, and sold it to Hilton Hotels for $3 billion. Arthur made over $100 million on the transactions, and I often cite him as one of the few examples I have seen of a top executive truly deserving of what he gets. He did an incredible job. He is now the president of Hilton’s gaming division and is working closely with Barron Hilton and Steve Bollenbach.

In any event, Arthur and I were having a meeting in one of the rooms at Mar-a-Lago when there was a knock on the door. Arthur didn’t know Michael Jackson was staying at the house, but he was aware that there was a great commotion and he was curious as to why there were so many people outside taking pictures. Arthur got up to answer the door. This particular room at Mar-a-Lagp, the Dutch Room, is done in very dark woods and is lit very dimly, in keeping with the look. Arthur swung open the door, and there was Michael Jackson. “Look, look, it’s Michael Jackson,” he said to me. Michael, on the other hand, saw somebody he wasn’t familiar with, put his hand over his face, and ran down the hallway. That was the last we saw of Michael that weekend. He went back to the tower to be with Lisa Marie.

People often ask me whether or not the relationship was a sham and I give them an emphatic no. I was there, and the magic of Mar-a-Lago brought it out, because after they left, it didn’t work so well. I can tell you, for at least a period of time, these two folks were really getting it on.

A photo of Michael at Mar-a-Lago from Trump’s book

Lisa Marie announces separation from husband Danny Keough, April 29, 1994


Lisa Marie announces separation from her husband, Danny Keough.

Teddy Riley says Michael told him he didn't know Lisa would leave her husband for him, on a Radio Station, Aug 24 2002


One of the DJ’s asked about Michael and Lisa Marie. Teddy said that Michael had talked to him in great detail about Lisa and Debbie. One of the things that Teddy said MJ stated was, “Man, I didn’t know that Lisa was going to divorce her husband for me.”

Lisa and Danny’s divorce is made official, May 8, 1994


Lisa Marie’s divorce to Danny Keough is finalized.

Travel to Dominican Republic together, May 25, 1994


Michael and Lisa Marie Presley arrive at Casa de Campo de Campo in Dominican Republic.

Lisa Marie and Michael Jackson marry in the Dominican Republic, May 26, 1994


Michael & Lisa Marie secretly marry in a 12 minutes ceremony only attended by Eva Darling and Linda’s ex brother in law, Thomas Keough (both Scientologists). Reportedly others from Michael’s side also attended but have never disclosed their presence.

Wedding Invitations To Celebrate Michael and Lisa's Marriage


These seem to have been printed prior to the wedding







And these ones later

Elizabeth Taylor and Monica Pastelle comments, Magic/Madness:


That night, Elizabeth was with friends at the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel. When a reporter asked her if she would confirm rumors of Michael’s marriage, she snapped at him, “I am not in the business of clarifying rumors. Now, be gone!”

Even though Lisa was in love with Michael, she – not he – was the one with certain goals she hoped to achieve as a result of the marriage; chief among them was the realization of her musical career. “Michael told Lisa that he would attempt to get her a record deal at Sony,” says her friend, Monica Pastelle. “Yes, she loved him. She didn’t marry him because of the offer to help her career, but it was on the table as something he was going to work on for her.”

Honeymoon in Disneyworld, June 5, 1994


Michael takes Lisa Marie and her children Benjamin and Dannielle to Disneyworld in Florida.

Michael sighted in Palm Beach, Jun 20, 1994

We previously reported that Michael Jackson visited Palm Beach to look at potential East Coast retreats, including the since-sold blue-roofed Martino estate on North Ocean. Michael supposedly was the guest of Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, but since then a couple of sources claim he actually stayed several weeks at a home near those of Mollie Wilmot and the Kennedys. A Palm Beach resident claims to have seen Michael walking the beach at 7 am.

Media learns about the wedding, July 11, 1994


Media learn about Michael & Lisa Marie ‘s wedding.

Joe Elefante’s wife Caryn on having met him during this period, Summer 1994


Michael had many questions for us like if any of us went to camp for the summer. He said that he always asked his parents if he could go to summer camp because it looked like so much fun and of course they told him no!! This was right around the time when the media was questioning whether or not he had married Lisa Marie Presley. I noticed a ring on his hand and I said, “so does that ring mean you are married to Lisa Marie?” He nodded his head yes and said “shhhhhh”. We chatted for a while, he signed our album cover and we went home having what I thought was the greatest day of my life.

Stay at Trump Towers, Magic/Madness:


Meanwhile, the two took a duplex apartment suite in Trump Tower in New York (directly below Donald Trump’s), while Michael began work on a new album.

One of his bodyguards remembered, “it was chaos with the media and fans suspecting the newlyweds were in the suite, but not able to confirm it.”

People Magazine’s Reaction To The News, People, July 25 1994


The Jackson camp, confronted with the news splashed across the front page of Santo Domingo’s leading daily newspaper. Listin Diario on July 11, says the tale is fiction. “There was no marriage,” says spokesperson Lee Solters. Presley’s people say the reports sound false, but they also admit they couldn’t immediately locate the alleged bride—who announced her separation from her musician husband, Danny Keough, just three months ago. Jerry Schilling, her former manager and lifelong friend, says that until he hears it straight from Lisa Marie, he won’t believe a word. “Too tabloidish,” he says.

And yet if this is a hoax, it is a very elaborate one based at least in part on some persuasive evidence. Consider: Dominican civil judge Hugo Francisco Alvarez Pérez has produced documents purportedly signed by Jackson, 35, and Presley, 26, which Charles Hamilton, the handwriting expert who exposed the Hitler Diaries fraud in 1983, has told the press he examined and declared with 75 percent certainty to be authentic. (Pérez insists that he released the documents only after receiving repealed press inquiries and is not taking money for the information.) Janet Palli, director of publicity for the plush Casa de Campo resort in La Romana, 50 miles from Santo Domingo, says that Jackson arrived on their private landing strip in a Falcon 900 jet owned by his record company, Sony; government officials confirm Jackson’s arrival on May 24 and his departure three days later; and according to one witness, he was accompanied on his trip by two women.

Though not exactly proof, the documents and details have some of Jackson’s closest pals—insiders who usually know everything and tell nothing—scratching their heads. In New York City, Liz Taylor’s publicist Chen Sam read the headlines and phoned her boss to ask, in jest, if Liz had served as the maid of honor. (Taylor said she hadn’t heard a word from her very close friend in three weeks.) Meanwhile in Manhattan, some well-informed friends took the news of the nuptials with little wonder.

Jackson, who is worth an estimated $100 million, and Presley, whose own fortune tops out at $100 million, have been seen together around New York City for at least six months. Lisa Marie, according to one source, is a regular visitor to Jackson’s duplex apartment in Trump Tower, just beneath Donald and Maria Trump’s triplex home. The romance first came to light early this year, about the time Jackson settled the civil suit filed by the child who had accused him of sexual molestation. Jackson was spotted dining with his friends the Trumps at Manhattan’s Le Cirque restaurant. Apropos of nothing, Jackson suddenly said, “You know what? I’m in love. Her name is Lisa.”

;”>A few weeks later, when Trump invited his friend to visit his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Michael asked, “Can I bring my love interest?” Jackson spent the week with Lisa Marie and her two children, Benjamin Storm, 21 months, and Danielle, 5. She and Michael stayed in separate bedrooms but were otherwise inseparable and affectionate. They spent nearly every evening in a part of the mansion called the Grand Tower, looking at the stars, and left the house together just once. “They walked down Worth Avenue,” says one witness, “and caused a big commotion and came right back.”

Two months later, Presley announced her separation from Keough. Oddly—or perhaps not—the name one witness scribbled on the wedding certificate in May is Thomas Keough, the same name as the younger brother of Lisa Marie’s estranged husband. Since Presley and Danny Keough never announced an official dissolution of their marriage, and the Dominican Republic is a mecca for quickie divorces (Mike Tyson barely had to turn off the jet engine when he flew in to obtain a divorce from Robin Givens in 198, speculation is rife: Did Danny accompany Lisa Marie, obtain a divorce and then for some reason ask his brother to serve as a witness to her wedding? This much seems relatively certain: Michael and Lisa Marie are spending more time together than most married people. Last week, Jackson spent six days in a New York City recording studio, and according to a source, Presley was with him three of those days. Are they becoming the new Sonny and Cher? As Josefina Rodriguez, chief of the Dominican consulate in Miami, says, “Who knows? When you find out, tell me.”

Lisa Marie Releases A Statement Confirming Her Marriage To Michael, August 1, 1994


“My married name is Mrs. Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson. My marriage to Michael Jackson took place in a private ceremony outside the United States [11] weeks ago. It was not formally announced until now for several reasons; foremost being that we are both very private people living in the glare of the public media. We both wanted a private marriage ceremony without the distraction of a media circus. I am very much in love with Michael, I dedicate my life to being his wife. I understand and support him. We both look forward to raising a family and living happy, healthy lives together. We hope friends and fans will understand and respect our privacy.”

WHAT A COUPLE! By Katy Kelly, USA Today, August 2, 1994


Lisa Marie confirms: She and Michael are wed – Why did pop princess and king unite?

Mrs. Presley-Jackson says she loves him tender, but others have their doubts Theirs is a marriage based on true love, says the woman who now calls herself “Mrs. Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson,” daughter of one king, now bride of another.

After marrying King of Pop Michael Jackson in apparent haste – in a quickie Dominican Republic ceremony in late May – 26-year-old Presley-Jackson said in a statement Monday, she’ll “dedicate my life to being his wife.”

The question both fans and foes want answered: Why?

Theories abound: Cynics see it as an extreme public relations ploy aimed at restoring Jackson’s reputation, damaged by accusations of child molestation. Some speculate that he has joined Presley’s faith, the Church of Scientology, and guess that the two have found common ground in religion. Others see it as an old-fashioned royal alliance, aimed at consolidating and expanding two separate kingdoms.

It is, unquestionably, a monumental merger of money and music. She’s the sole heir of her father’s Graceland estate, reportedly valued at $100 million and grossing another $20 million a year. She doesn’t get all royalties on Elvis’ songs, but, says RCA executive Paul Williams, “I would assume that Lisa Marie participates in payments from RCA to the Elvis Presley estate.”

Jackson, 35, is worth a conservatively estimated $150 million and has an elaborate estate of his own called Neverland, which comes with its own amusement park. Included in his kitty: an extensive income-producing music catalog that includes classic Beatles songs and works by Little Richard and the father of the bride, Elvis Presley.

newlyweds first met around November 1992, says Lisa Marie’s friend, lawyer John P. Coale, who was advising her at the time. Was it business or pleasure? “It was more of a social meeting,” he says.

The meeting took place in L.A. at a friend’s house. (“Nobody famous,” Coale says.) “She liked him. She thought he was real nice. In the beginning they were friends, just friends. There was no romantic hint of anything at the time. . . . I’m not sure when the romantic thing came in.”

The May 26 wedding – which followed Presley’s May 6 Dominican Republic divorce from musician Danny Keough – was not without romantic elements. “She wore a beige, strapless dress; he was dressed in black,” said Luisa Rebeca Valentin, the reporter who broke the story for the Dominican Republic’s Listin Diario and got the juicy details from the wedding officiant, Judge Hugo Francisco Alvarez Perez.

It was an understated affair. “There were no flowers. It was very simple, very sedate.”

Valentin is a bit of a doubter: “You know how celebrities are, they don’t marry for love. There are conveniences.”

When Coale saw Presley in July, she didn’t mention that she and Jackson were married but “there were strong hints,” says Coale.

The usually chatty Donald Trump has also been keeping the secret. “I’ve known for a while,” he says. “They’re nice people and I wish them luck.”

The couple reportedly spent a week at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach estate in February and they and Presley’s children (Danielle, 5, and Benjamin, 21 months) have been living in a $110,000-a-month Trump Tower duplex (below the Donald’s triplex) since early July. They’re expected to stay chez Trump through September, while Jackson finishes work on an album.

Some residents have spotted the pair hugging and kissing, and Trump acknowledges that Lisa Marie and “the babies are in and out all day.”

But even Trump, who has pulled a few marital surprises of his own, seems a bit amazed: “The whole thing is wild, isn’t it?” he asks. As for possible future offspring: “Can you imagine what they’ll produce?”

Family living is apparently on the couple’s agenda: “We both look forward to raising a family,” the bride said in her statement.

Jackson family spokesman John McLaughlin had no comment on Michael’s status (other Jackson spokesmen spent weeks denying marriage reports). As for the mother of the bride: Contrary to tabloid reports of maternal disapproval, “She (Priscilla Presley) said, `Please assure everyone I’m very supportive of Lisa Marie and everything she does,’ ” says Paul Bloch, publicist for both Presleys.

Ditto for the folks at Graceland: “All of us . . . are delighted for Lisa and Michael. We wish the best for them in future,” says Graceland spokesman David Beckwith, adding, “There will be no changes in the structure or operations of Elvis Presley Enterprises or Graceland.”

The Church of Scientology International issued a congratulatory press release: “We consider marriage and a happy family the most valuable building blocks of a stable society, and we wish the newlyweds the very best for a joyful future.”

Disappointing the masses, they added, “The Church has no other information as this is a private matter between Lisa-Marie and her husband.”

Not all fans are as enthused: “Oh God, no! Are you serious?” blurted Terry Marcos, president of Elvis’ California Fans (We’re Still Shaking). Jackson’s “not even a man as far as I’m concerned.”

Priscilla Parker, 54, of Pittsburgh, president of the We Remember Elvis Fan Club, is disappointed. “Partly, because Lisa Marie was just in one marriage and is jumping into another, and I don’t understand that, no matter if you’re famous or the person next door.”

Members of her fan club are phoning in reactions: “Some people are saying they’ll never go back to Graceland if this is true, (others are) saying that it’s her life and she can do what she wants. But it’s not her life. She has two kids to consider. If she were my daughter,” she says with a laugh, “I’d lock her up and throw away the key.”

Some suspect Jackson of ulterior motives: “Michael’s image took such a battering over the past year and a half, with him being linked to an underage boy, that what better stunt to pull off than to marry a very desirable woman?” says Mitchell Fink, People columnist and a CNN correspondent.

“I also think this makes sense for him professionally, because I’m sure he wants to buy every song he can connected with her father, because then he would control the music of the Beatles and Elvis Presley. And I believe as I have all along that he will produce her debut album. He wants to be able to say that he produced the daughter of the king. But I honestly didn’t think he would take it to this new extreme!”

Fink adds, “There’s no question that for many, many years, Michael has been a shrewd media manipulator.”

Stuart Fischoff, a media psychologist at California State University, is paid to ponder such questions. He doesn’t know what motivated the twosome but, “many women, given the opportunity to meet and marry Michael Jackson, would jump at the opportunity. She’s marrying a cultural Mount Rushmore.” And what’s in it for him? “The cynical point of view is that . . . this (marriage) would go in his mind a long way to dissuading people that he’s been fooling around with boys.”

Richard Johnson, editor of the New York Post’s gossip page, thinks “you can’t ignore the Scientology angle. I would think the people at Scientology would be urging her to nurture this relationship.”

John Coale thinks the union may well be a Love Me Tender story. “Lisa’s a pretty levelheaded woman,” he says. “I’ve always been impressed with her decisions. . . . If everyone just gives (the marriage) a chance, I think we’ll all be pleasantly surprised.”

Marking their first public appearance together Michael and Lisa arrive in Hungary, August 5, 1994


Michael and Lisa Marie arrive in Budapest (Hungary) and make their first public appearance together causing a media frenzy.

Passenger On Board Concorde With Them Remembers Them "Canoodling" In The Back, Eric Seidan, 5th August 1994

http://quagmire.darsys.net/2009/02/michael-jackson/


I’ve decided to blog about Michael Jackson briefly. Why so? He’s auctioning off tons of his stuff. I realize nobody I know would actually want it, but still. Looking through the online auction catalog is utterly fascinating. You can order one for $100 or $500 with autograph. As if.

I met Michael Jackson once when on Concorde — whilst exiting the on-board bathroom. Really. He was married to Lisa Marie Presley at the time. The story’s recounted in my personal website’s Concorde pages so I won’t repeat it here. I can’t find the story anywhere.

Anyway it was the same flight on which David Bowie and Iman were on. The return flight had Robert DeNiro. Anyway, I will skip all the details for now — but I wonder where I wrote about this — maybe a long ago email to friends. I am thinking this was in an email way back in 1993 after Labour Day weekend when this all happened. Maybe I have a copy archived on one of my Apple II disks that I can no longer read. No idea. If any of you have a copy of that old email, forward it to me and I’ll post it.

Anyway, he was in the waiting room for the flight but in a secluded side room. On board he was in the back of the aircraft with Lisa Marie. They appeared, in all honestly, to be very much in love. Anyway, nature called mid-flight, and I went to use the lavatory. I took a whizz, washed my hands, opened the door, and who should be standing in front of me? Michael Jackson. He’s taller than you might think. I smiled, said excuse me, he muttered something, and went in. That concluded my interaction. Concorde is always fun and that was my very first trip (and only one on Air France). It was memorable because it was celebrity packed.

This auction made me think of it.

Erin
I thought the Michael Jackson was somewhere on your site. I remember reading it, how Michael and Lisa Marie were canoodling in the back.

Eric Seidan’s quotes, USA Today Article, 2003
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2003/05/29-concorde.htm


Growing up, Eric Seiden thought the Concorde “was just something cool” but assumed it was out of his reach. Then in 1994, Seiden, who lives in Miami and works for a distributor of screws, nuts and bolts, was unexpectedly upgraded from business class to Concorde on Air France.

“It’s as close as you can get to outer space,” said Seiden, who has his own Concorde Web site. “You can actually see the huge curvature of the Earth.”

Seiden’s fellow passengers included newlyweds Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley canoodling in the back of the plane.

The marriage did not appear to be a publicity stunt, Seiden noted. “They were really in love.”

They both autographed a concorde menu

Michael and Lisa visit a hospital together, August 6, 1994


Michael and Lisa Marie visit sick children at St Jude hospital and meet Bela Farkas, a little boy in need of a transplant. Moved by his story they decide to finance the operation that will save his life.

Michael and Lisa return to New York, August 9, 1994


Michael and Lisa Marie fly back to New York where Michael resumes the recording of his new album.

Robmix on Gearsltuz:


I was there when Lisa Marie was around. They acted like two kids in love. Held hands all the time, and she hung out at the studio for quite a while. I never questioned their love for each other.

Brett Strong on how they met, ET – Aug 10, 1994


Brett Strong: They just fell head over heels in love and that love just grew and grew to the point where they just married.

ET’s John Tesh: Internationally renowed, Brett Livingstone Strong will now be known as Hollywoods hottest match maker. This Australian creator has made millions with his paintings and his sculpting. He has two National monuments now displayed in Washington, DC. and is currently working on his third, a tribute to our space program. And now he is the guy who bought two musical super powers to the altar.

Brett Strong: Obviously Lisa was not looking at Michael for his fame or looking at him for his success. She was purely looking at him because he is a true gentleman.

ET’s John Tesh: Strong is a long time friend of both. He originally talked the pop music icon to meet with Lisa to hear her sing.

Brett Strong: I told Michael what if I came up with and brought to you the best person on this planet who has not been exposed, and is beautiful. Michael’s reponse was “who the heck are you talking about. Who is it?.” I said Lisa Marie Presley. Michael’s response was “No! She can sing?” She is fantastic. Michael said “well Brett obviously I am interested. Can you get me a tape or something?”

ET’s John Tesh: Well Lisa did not want to send a tape. She wanted to perform in person. So Brett arranged a meeting at his house in November 1992 when this picture was taken of the three of them and Bretts’ son, Stason.

Brett Strong: In fact that was the day they first came together and where Lisa performed a couple of song’s for Michael. It was a fabulous experience, for I think both of them. And Michael really felt really honored. He was like “Wow! I am Lucky. You know.” And Lisa felt the same.

ET’s John Tesh: And it turns out that Michael loved more than just her singing. They ran off and got married. Brett said that Lisa did not even

tell her mother. And Brett said you can forget all the rumors you hear about why the couple married. This is the real deal.

Brett Strong: It is a purely a very simple story. It’s a love affair that grew from a friendship.

ET’s John Tesh: And here is the rest of the scoop. Brett Livingstone Strong tells ET thattrue love blossomed last year (Feb 93) when Priscilla Presley threw a birthday party. And Southern California Magic Mountain Amusement Park was rented for the ocassion. Michael sent Lisa a present. The picture of that famous night they met (Nov 92). And the rest is history.

Brett Livingstone Strong, National Enquirer, 1994


Lisa Marie Presley saved Michael Jackson from killing himself when the child sex abuse scandal drove him to the brink of despair, says the man who introduced the pop superstar to Elvis’ daughter.

In an exclusive Enquirer interview, Hollywood artist Brett Livingstone Strong – a longtime friend of both Michael and Lisa Marie – spoke freely about his role in the marriage that shocked the world.

Telling his remarkable story for the first time ever, Strong revealed that:

* Lisa Marie fell in love with Michael first and pursued him relentlessly.

* The newlyweds are truly in love with each other – and both of them want to start a family.

* Lisa Marie told Michael she wanted to be a singing star – and when he warned her she’d have to “give up everything” to succeed, she broke down in tears. But now she’s dedicated to becoming a superstar – and Michael has vowed to make her dream come true.

“When I introduced Lisa Marie and Michael never in my wildest dreams did I think they’d marry,” said Strong, 40, a painter and sculptor.

“But they became close friends. Then their feelings turned to love – and I think they’re the perfect couple!”

Strong’s relationship with Michael dates back to the early 80s when he painted a portrait of the superstar singer tgar a Japanese businessman bought for a whopping $2.1 million.

The 36 year old performer was so impressed that he formed a business partnership with Strong.

And in November 1992, the artist – who’s known Priscilla Presley and her daughter for 15 years – brought Michael and Lisa Marie together.

Lisa Marie desperately wanted to launch a music career, “but she had no confidence in herself as a singer,” said Strong.

“She was afraid of being compared to Elvis and terrified of rejection. When I suggested Michael could help her, she said, ‘He’s a superstar. Do you really think he’d help me?’

“I introduced them in my Los Angeles home. They sang together and played Lisa Marie’s music – and Michael was blown away. He told her, ‘You have a real talent – and a fine voice.’”

But Lisa Marie soon realized she wasn’t prepared to make a full time commitment to music.

“In December 1992, she told me that Michael explained, ‘To be a superstar you’ve got to give up everything. That’s how I approached my career and it’s the only way to do it. Any other method is doomed to fail,’” said Strong.

“Lisa Marie left that meeting with tears streaming down her face. At the time, she couldn’t dedicate herself to her career.

“She was having a lot of trouble with her musician husband Danny Keough – and she had to deal with her marriage first.

“She said they’d had screaming arguments ‘about everything from bringing up the kids to running our prospective careers.’”

While he marriage deteriorated, Lisa Marie’s feelings for Michael deepened.

“By mid 1993, Lisa Marie was deeply in love with Michael – and she made sure they got together regularly,” said Strong.

“I realize now that she was pursuing Michael – and that she was determined to to make him her husband.”

Lisa Marie proved the depth of her love when a teenage boy accused Michael of sexually abusing him.

The shocking allegations sent Michael into a suicidal depression – and Lisa Marie helped pull him through.

“Michael talked about killing himself but Lisa Marie and his dear friend Elizabeth Taylor talked him out of it,” said Strong.

“They spent days at his Neverland Valley ranch, trying to boost his spirits. Later Michael admitted, ‘I don’t think I’d be here now if it weren’t for Lisa Marie and Elizabeth. They saved my life.’”

Michael didn’t realize he was in love with Lisa Marie until she announced her split from Keough in April, said Strong.

“But believe me, the love affair between them is real. It’s not a phoney marriage designed to make Michael look better. Michael definitely wants to have children with Lisa Marie – and she says she can’t wait to have his baby.”

Now the newlyweds are working feverishly on Lisa Marie’s musical career. “Lisa Marie is determiend to become a superstar – and Michael has dedicated himself to her quest,” said Strong.

“They plan to perform together eventually, starting off in a small way and later giving major concerts. Lisa told me, ‘Michael is my love and my inspiration. I adore the very ground he walks on. I want to become the Queen of Pop just as he’s the King.”

Strong is currently finishing a new portrait of Michael.

He’s also painted a romantic vision of the shirtless superstar in a stream surrounded by topless women. Incredibly one of the bare breasted beauties bears an amazing resemblance to Lisa Marie.

Asked whether the young woman is Michael’s bridge, Strong would only say, “You have to draw your own conclusions about that.”