top of page
    • Nov 16, 2023

David and Jackie Siegel’s Victoria’s Voice Foundation Honors Priscilla Presley

Updated: Nov 22, 2023



Priscilla Presley was honored with a Legacy Award at the Victoria's Voice Foundation Music For Life Gala, which helped raise funds to combat America’s opioid crisis. The 78-year-old ex-wife of the late rock legend Elvis Presley was presented with the award by the 'Queen of Versailles,' Jackie Siegel, during the gala held on Saturday at a private estate on Palm Island, Florida, according to a press release provided on Tuesday by the foundation. Jackie and her husband, David Siegel—founder of the Florida-based Westgate Resorts timeshare resort firm—co-founded Victoria's Voice Foundation in 2019, after their 18-year-old daughter Victoria Siegel died in June 2015 at their home in Windermere of a drug overdose.


“Throughout my life, I have seen firsthand how drugs devastate families,” said Presley. “This award inspires me to continue advocating for those impacted by addiction, and who live every day in fear that their loved ones will be taken from them.” “I am incredibly moved by how David and Jackie have turned their painful loss into a force for good and giving back. I salute everyone involved with Victoria’s Voice, and I share this award with all of you,” Presley added. Presley received the award in front of roughly 300 attendees, and Siegel said she was being honored for her resilience which has “not only touched our hearts but has shown us the true power of the human spirit. Her journey and legacy are one of unwavering determination and a testament to the indomitable human will.”


The Music For Life Gala started with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, dancing, and a private concert by the “Godmother of Soul,” Grammy Award-winner Patti LaBelle. Victoria's Voice Foundation has been dedicated to providing drug prevention education and naloxone awareness, support, and resources to those affected by substance use.



The foundation's namesake, Victoria 'Rikki' Siegel, struggled with drug abuse and shortly after a 2015 rehab stint chose to remain home in Florida while her seven siblings, aged from eight to 15 at the time, spent time in Park City, Utah, and Las Vegas with their parents. Victoria was found unresponsive at the family's mansion and taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead after overdosing on methadone and antidepressants.


In 2019, Siegel published Victoria's diary, titled Victoria's Voice: Our Daughter's Losing Battle with Drug Abuse, and in a moving introduction, revealed that she had no idea she was addicted to drugs. 'All of the warning signs were there, but I just didn't see them. Teens can be masters of deception.' Jackie said that her daughter was independent and free-spirited, as well as a teen who was 'smart beyond her years' and 'always very artistic', but everything started to change when Victoria was 15 years old. 'She started to have anxiety,' Jackie wrote. 'She didn't like our family being a part of the movie "The Queen of Versailles". Plus, she was being bullied in school, especially by the girls.' "The Queen of Versailles" was a 2012 documentary film that followed the construction of a house Jackie and David had named the Palace of Versailles. Victoria's ex-boyfriend forwarded a letter that she had asked him to send her parents if she died. In the letter, Victoria told her mother where exactly to find her journal, and it was published to help others struggling with addiction.




For more information about Victoria’s Voice, visit www.victoriasvoice.foundation


By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Victoria's Voice

Commenti

bottom of page