Edwards, who starred in the 1981 film “Mommie Dearest,” spoke out about the allegations against him in the late signer’s newly released memoir, “ From Here to the Great Unknown. ”
“These claims are absolutely untrue,” he told Page Six in a statement Thursday. “I never molested Lisa Marie and am shocked at the suggestion that I did.”
Michael Edwards, seen here in 1983, denied molesting Lisa Marie Presley while dating her mom, Priscilla Presley. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images In a statement to Page Six, the actor addressed the allegations written in the late singer’s memoir, “From Here to the Great Unknown.” WireImage
Edwards, who was 26 years older than Lisa Marie, addressed the controversial passages in his own 1988 memoir, “ Elvis, Priscilla and Me, ” where he admitted to “craving Lisa sexually.”
“I was encouraged to embellish a harmless anecdote about Lisa Marie in my memoir from the 1980s and now regret that I did,” he told Page Six.
“I understand that these stories sell books, but the notion that I molested Lisa Marie is just a fabrication.’’
In Lisa Marie’s book, she claimed she was 10 years old and Edwards was around 36 years old when he allegedly raped her.
“These claims are absolutely untrue,” Edwards, pictured above with Priscilla in 1980, told us. Penske Media via Getty Images “I never molested Lisa Marie and am shocked at the suggestion that I did,” Edwards, seen above in 1984 with Gina Lollobrigida and Priscilla, added. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
The actor’s daughter, Caroline Van Zandt, also rushed to her father’s defense via a statement to Page Six Thursday.
“Lisa Marie and I were close friends throughout my father’s relationship with Priscilla,” Van Zandt wrote.
“We were confidants, like sisters, sharing all our secrets and complaining about our parents as typical teenagers do.”
He also addressed the passages from his 1988 memoir, “Elvis, Priscilla and Me,” where he admitted to “craving Lisa sexually.” NBC via Getty Images “I was encouraged to embellish a harmless anecdote about Lisa Marie in my memoir from the 1980s and now regret that I did,” Edwards, seen here in 1984 with Gina Lollobrigida and Priscilla, told us. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
She continued, “I have kept many notes and letters from Lisa Marie during those years and she never stated or insinuated that my dad touched her inappropriately.
“When she told me about my dad walking into her room, we then addressed and resolved the issue as a family.
“Those who know Priscilla and her fierce protectiveness of her family understand she never would have tolerated any sort of behavior like that. I’m disappointed and sad that these claims are being made.’’
Edwards, pictured with Priscilla in 1980, continued, “I understand that these stories sell books, but the notion that I molested Lisa Marie is just a fabrication.” Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Lisa Marie alleged Edwards once ran his finger up her leg when they were alone in her room.
“He said he was going to teach me what was going to happen when I got older,” she wrote in the book.
“He was putting his hand on my chest and saying a man’s going to touch here, there, he put his hand between my legs, and he said they’re going to touch you here. I think he gently kissed me and then left that night.”
Edwards’ daughter also defended him. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Lisa Marie, seen here with Elvis Presley and Priscilla in 1968, wrote in her book that Edwards abused her when she was 10 years old. Bettmann Archive
The “Lights Out” songstress recalled telling her mom about the encounter and Edwards apologized to her, appearing “sullen and sulky,” saying, “I’m so sorry, but in Europe that’s how they teach the kids so that’s what I was doing.”
Edwards, however, continued the alleged abuse and would “touch” and “spank” Lisa Marie when she assumed he was “jerking off.”
“He did it very calmly, just sitting in a chair, whacking my ass,” she alleged. “My butt would be black, blue, orange, green.”
Edwards was 26 years older than Lisa Marie. Rick Diamond
Lisa Marie said Priscilla’s response to the bruises would allegedly be, “Well what did you do to cause that?”
Despite denying the allegations, Edwards got candid about being attracted to Lisa Marie and found himself eagerly waiting for her to get out of school the same way “Elvis [Presley] had once eagerly awaited Priscilla’s return to Graceland from school each day.”
“Once, when Priscilla and I were sitting at the dinner table and Lisa was sitting between us, Lisa got up to get something from the refrigerator and her bare knee accidentally brushed against my hand,” he wrote in his memoir.
She alleged Edwards apologized the first time it happened. AFP via Getty Images The alleged abuse between Lisa Marie, seen here with Priscilla in 1981, and Edwards continued for years. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
“It sent waves of desire through me. I looked at Priscilla and thought, Can’t you see what’s happening — I’ve fallen in love with your daughter.”
Priscilla started dating Edwards in 1977, the same year her ex-husband, Elvis, died, and they called it quits in 1984.
Lisa Marie, who died in January 2023 at the age of 54, recalled their relationship being violent.
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