- Priscilla Presley’s son, Navarone Garibaldi Garcia, faced challenges growing up as the son of a famous actress.
- Navarone, who is now estranged from his dad due to a secret, also struggled with drug addiction.
- Priscilla’s son became sober to be with his then-girlfriend, who is now his supportive wife.
Priscilla Presley, the ex-wife of the late Elvis Presley, is a mom of two. The actress and Elvis were blessed with a daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. Unfortunately, Lisa died at 54 on January 12, 2023.
Priscilla Presley and Navarone Garibaldi in Santa Barbara, California, on November 16, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Priscilla’s second child is Navarone Garibaldi Garcia. The actress shared Navarone, born on March 1, 1987, in Santa Monica, California, with her ex-partner Marco Garibaldi.
The actress found out she was pregnant with Navarone before she and Marco, whom she met through mutual friends in 1983, could tie the knot. However, Priscilla and the Brazilian writer and director had lived together in Beverly Hills for over two years before she got pregnant.
Priscilla Presley and Marco Garibaldi on November 19, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Marco is also an entrepreneur specializing in software engineering, architecture, astronomy, building, viticulture, public service, manufacturing, and invention. He has directed “The Power Rangers,” produced “Across The Hall,” and wrote for the TV series “Dallas and The Hitchhiker.”
Navarone is an actor known for productions such as 2015’s “Shut and Drive,” 2021’s “Hollywood.Con,” and 2020’s “Street Survivors: The True Story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash.” He is also the lead guitarist and vocalist for rock band Them Guns.
Navarone’s stepsister was also in the entertainment industry. The actor was devastated when Lisa, a singer and songwriter, passed away. He shared a picture of a toddler Lisa hanging out with Priscilla alongside an emotional caption. “Big sister… I hope you are now at peace and happy with your Dad and your son by your side,” Navarone wrote.
Lisa was a mom of four. She shared her kids, Benjamin and Riley, with one of her ex-husbands, Danny Keough. Lisa and another of her ex-husbands, Michael Lockwood, had twins Finley and Harper. Sadly, Lisa lost Benjamin in 2020. Navarone recognized the pain of this loss as he said the past couple of years before Lisa died were hard for her.
Navarone wished things were different between him and Lisa when she was alive. Still, he sent his stepsister love and prayers as she departed this world. “I still can’t believe this, I’m lost for words. Love you sis. Beijos. 💔,” he added.
Navarone attended Lisa’s memorial at Graceland on January 22, 2023. The actor said losing his stepsister was so surreal. Lisa died suddenly of apparent cardiac arrest, a death that left both Navarone and his mother distressed.
The actor has also opened up about his dad, his mom, and his struggle with addiction. Navarone isn’t easily recognized as Priscilla’s son except for their similar eyes. The 36-year-old said many people have heard about him but do not know him.
Navarone grew up away from the spotlight as he didn’t want people to know who his mom was. He said, “I got in trouble more than everybody else, because kids’ parents would find out who my mom was, and they’d want a reason to talk to her. I wasn’t very comfortable with it.” The actor’s relationship with his father was also not friendly and easy.
Priscilla Presley and Marco Garibaldi at Mann’s Bruin Theater in Westwood, California on June 13, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
A few months after Navarone was born, Priscilla received a call from a strange number, warning her that Marco wasn’t who she thought he was. The actress asked the person never to call again as she didn’t know what to do with that information.
The three continued living as a family. However, Priscilla never played Elvis’ music because Navarone presumed his dad was uncomfortable with it. When his parents eventually separated in 2006 after 20 years together, Priscilla started playing Elvis’ music freely. She and Marco never got married.
Priscilla Presley and Marco Garibaldi attend the Jubilation 2000 concert in Beverly Hills, California on June 1, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
Navarone, who didn’t have a great bond with his dad, became close with him after the split. “The disciplinarian role didn’t work between us, but the friend role did. He wanted someone to go out drinking with,” he explained.
When Navarone turned 18, he left Los Angeles and moved to Santa Cruz, where he formed Them Guns. The musician said leaving his family was an escape and a fresh start. In 2008, his haven exploded when a reporter at the National Enquirer found out he was growing marijuana in his home. Soon, everyone knew who his family was.
Navarone returned to Los Angeles in 2012 to keep singing with Them Guns. The musician thought he’d get into the family business easily, write a song, and go on tour, but everything was more challenging than he thought. Still, he recognized that he was privileged thanks to his mom’s connections and help.
Priscilla Presley and Marco Garibaldi at the First Annual Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Salute to John Williams and Garth Brooks in California, on June 23, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
At one point, Navarone believed that his father originated from a prosperous Italian family. Yet, when he communicated with a Brazilian teenager asserting to be his cousin, he discovered that Marco hailed from Brazil, not Italy.
Priscilla Presley and Marco Garibaldi at the “Lethal Weapon 2” Hollywood premiere at the Mann’s Chinese Theatre on July 5, 1989. | Source: Getty Images
It was during this revelation that Navarone became aware that his father had altered his surname from Garcia to Garibaldi. This change had been recommended to increase his chances of success in Hollywood, given the advice to avoid using a Hispanic last name. When the musician questioned his dad, Marco told him to lose his number, and they never spoke again.
Two weeks after Navarone learned about his extended family, he flew to Brazil to meet them. The musician had zero regrets about losing his dad because he gained over 20 family members. Unfortunately, Navarone cut his Brazil trip short due to his struggle with addiction. He promised himself he would only visit again after he was sober.
Navarone’s drug problem began when he was in his teen years. He started with heroin and then moved to fentanyl. He was so addicted that he needed a dose every 45 minutes.
He recently opened up about his struggles with drug addiction and how he’s sharing his story to help the younger generation. His journey began innocently with weed during high school but soon escalated.
Navarone Garibaldi at the 110th NAMM Show – Day 1 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, on January 19, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
By age 16 or 17, he had experimented with various substances. The consequences were severe. He would experience insane withdrawals from using drugs two or three times a day, eventually reaching a staggering 40 times daily.
In 2020, Navarone made a pivotal decision: he checked himself into rehab. The process began with a drug test, and surprisingly, he tested negative for heroin despite his prior use.
It turned out that he had unknowingly been consuming pure fentanyl. The revelation shocked him, but it also marked the turning point in his battle against addiction.
Throughout his recovery, Priscilla stood by her son’s side. She offered unwavering support despite his attempts to shield her from his struggles. When withdrawal symptoms overwhelmed him, he reached out to her.
Priscilla Presley and Navarone Garibaldi at the world premiere of “Viva ELVIS” in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 19, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
“Mom,” he said, “I’m a week into this, but I got to come to your house and got.” Her immediate response was, “OK, you need some soup?” Her love and care played a crucial role in his healing process, saving him from the “Elvis curse.”
Navarone emphasizes that the choice to get clean was ultimately his own, despite his mother’s wishes and efforts. At the peak of his addiction, he was spending $3000 on fentanyl each month. Now sober, he reflects on the importance of deciding for himself.
In a heartfelt Mother’s Day message, Navarone expressed, “Happy Mother’s Day @priscillapresley !!! Love you so much, always enjoy our time together and celebrate your special day! [sic]”
Fans often notice his striking resemblance to his mother. Comments like “You are a male version of your mother. So handsome,” and “You look very handsome, Navarone, and you look so much like your beautiful mom,” frequently appear on his social media posts.
The musician successfully achieved sobriety from hard drugs and opioids. The improvement in his situation enabled him to travel to Switzerland, the home country of his then-girlfriend, Elisa Achilli. He explained that he didn’t want to carry a large quantity of drugs wherever he went.
Navarone spent a month detoxing in his mother’s house. As much as he still drinks and smokes marijuana, the musician says the world got a lot better after he detoxed. Navarone also married his fiancée Elisa at Schloss Hünigen hotel in Konolfingen, Switzerland on, February 15, 2022.
Navarone Garibaldi and Elisa Achilli, from a post dated February 15, 2022 | Source: Instagram/priscillapresley
Navarone proposed to Elisa on Christmas in 2020. Priscilla was overjoyed to see them get married. She said they had been together for four years, and she’d been waiting patiently for their big day.
His relationship with his wife, Elisa, also draws admiration from fans. “She is beautiful; you look so happy! [sic]” said one fan. “You two look so good together,” another agreed.
The musician praises his wife, “I never thought I would find a counterpart that is so understanding and supportive. She makes everything we do effortless, and I can’t imagine life without her.”
Elisa also expressed her joy at the prospect of beginning married life with Navarone after four years of maintaining a long-distance relationship. She described Navarone as the most authentic, kind, and emotionally attuned man she has ever encountered.
Navarone is glad to feel like himself again after battling addiction, dealing with his mom’s fame as a child, and knowing his father’s secret. He is also excited to have found a family from his dad’s side and with Elisa.