When Hollywood’s most enigmatic stars collide, sparks are bound to fly, and sometimes, those sparks lead to truly unforgettable moments – especially when a six-figure diamond ring is involved. Such was the passionate and tumultuous romance between Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage and the late Lisa Marie Presley, a love story that, according to Lisa Marie’s mother Priscilla Presley, was as dazzling as it was dramatic. Their engagement, in particular, unfolded like a scene from a blockbuster movie, complete with a luxury yacht, a heated argument, and a priceless piece of jewelry taking an unexpected dive into the Pacific.
This isn’t just a tale of celebrity extravagance; it’s a window into the raw, unfiltered emotions that defined one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples of the early 2000s. Priscilla Presley, in her explosive new memoir, “Softly, As I Leave You: Live After Elvis,” has pulled back the curtain on the incredible highs and devastating lows of her daughter’s relationship with Cage, offering a firsthand account of their whirlwind courtship and the memorable, albeit chaotic, events that shaped it. Her revelations paint a vivid picture of a love that burned intensely, sometimes too intensely, leaving an indelible mark on both their lives.
Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the initial chapter of this captivating saga, focusing on the astonishing story of the engagement ring that ended up at the bottom of the ocean. From the initial proposal of a breathtaking diamond to the dramatic moment it was flung overboard during an “epic” fight, and the surprising resolution that followed, get ready to uncover the fascinating details of this truly wild Hollywood tale. It’s a journey into passion, regret, and the grand gestures that only a star like Nicolas Cage could deliver.
1. **The Initial Proposal and the $65,000, Six-Carat Diamond Ring**
The story of Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley’s engagement begins with a dazzling declaration of love, marked by a truly magnificent piece of jewelry. According to Priscilla Presley’s detailed account in her memoir, the “National Treasure” star proposed to Lisa Marie with a breathtaking diamond ring that commanded attention. It wasn’t just any ring; it was a stunning six-carat diamond, valued at an impressive $65,000.
Priscilla Presley herself gushed over the ring, describing it as “stunning” in her book, emphasizing its significant carat weight and considerable monetary value. This initial engagement symbolized the intense passion and grand gestures that characterized the early stages of their romance, setting a high bar for the extravagance and emotional depth that would come to define their time together. It was a clear signal that their relationship, much like the ring itself, was going to be anything but ordinary.
Indeed, for a couple whose relationship would be marked by such dramatic highs and lows, a proposal involving such a magnificent jewel was entirely fitting. The $65,000, six-carat diamond served as an early indicator of the larger-than-life scale on which their love story would unfold, a glittering promise that, as we’ll soon see, proved to be as fragile as it was beautiful. This sparkler, initially meant to seal their love, would soon become central to one of their most memorable and shocking altercations.
2. **The Setting of the Incident: Catalina Island on Nick’s Yacht, “The Weston”**
The stage for this unforgettable drama was set against the picturesque backdrop of Southern California, specifically off the serene yet ultimately turbulent coast of Catalina Island. It was a seemingly idyllic afternoon, providing the perfect setting for what began as a romantic sailing trip that quickly veered into high-stakes celebrity drama. The vessel for this fateful journey was none other than Nicolas Cage’s own yacht, aptly named “the Weston.”
Priscilla Presley vividly recalled the scene in her memoir, detailing how Lisa Marie and Nick embarked on this sailing adventure. “One afternoon, they went sailing off the coast of Catalina Island on Nick’s yacht, the Weston,” she alleged in her book. This detail firmly establishes the luxurious and private environment in which their passionate emotions would eventually boil over, transforming a leisurely cruise into a dramatic confrontation that would capture headlines years later.
The choice of a private yacht, far from prying eyes on the open ocean, highlights the inherent intimacy of their relationship, yet it also meant there was no escape once tensions flared. The vastness of the sea became a silent witness to their escalating argument, creating a confined space where emotions could intensify without external intervention. It was on this very yacht, named after Cage’s son, that the symbol of their commitment would find its way to the ocean floor, an almost poetic metaphor for the turbulent waters of their romance.
3. **The “Epic Fight” That Sparked the Drama**
The tranquility of the ocean voyage quickly shattered as “something set off another of their epic fights,” as Priscilla Presley recounted in her memoir. The exact trigger for this particular disagreement remains unspecified, but it was clearly potent enough to ignite one of the intense verbal battles that had become characteristic of their tempestuous relationship. These “epic fights” were not uncommon for the couple, who were known for their dramatic and dynamic personalities.
During the heat of this argument, emotions ran incredibly high, pushing Lisa Marie to a dramatic breaking point. In a moment of raw fury, she reportedly pulled the stunning six-carat engagement ring off her finger. This action itself was a powerful statement, signaling the depth of her anger and frustration. Priscilla stated that Lisa Marie “pulled off her engagement ring and threw it at Nick,” directly involving Cage in the escalation of this already volatile situation.
This act of defiance and emotional outburst speaks volumes about the intensity of their connection and the passionate, often confrontational, nature of their interactions. It wasn’t merely a disagreement; it was a full-blown “blowout,” as described in various accounts, that propelled one of Hollywood’s most iconic pieces of jewelry into a pivotal moment of celebrity history. The ring, meant as a bond, became a projectile, underscoring the explosive energy that often defined their dramatic romance.
4. **Nicolas Cage’s Furious Reaction: The Ring Thrown Overboard**
Lisa Marie’s dramatic gesture of throwing the engagement ring at Nicolas Cage did not de-escalate the situation; instead, it provoked an equally furious and arguably more impulsive reaction from the Oscar-winning actor. Caught in the throes of an “epic fight” on his yacht, Cage’s response was swift and definitive, matching the intensity of the moment with his own volatile emotions. As Priscilla Presley recounted, “Furious, Nick threw the ring overboard.”
This impulsive act, sending a $65,000 diamond ring plummeting into the ocean, cemented the incident as a legendary moment in celebrity lore. It wasn’t just a ring; it was a symbol of their commitment, tossed away in a fit of rage, demonstrating the raw and unfiltered passion that often got the better of them. The sheer drama of the act — a valuable jewel sinking beneath the waves — perfectly encapsulated the larger-than-life nature of their relationship.
Accounts from Priscilla’s memoir consistently describe Cage’s immediate response as one of profound fury, a powerful mirroring of Lisa Marie’s own anger. His decision to throw the ring overboard was a spontaneous, irreversible action that left an indelible mark on their personal history. It was a moment born of immense frustration and heightened emotion, a testament to how their relationship, when it was bad, could indeed be “horrid,” as Priscilla would later describe their tumultuous dynamic.
5. **The Unsuccessful Search: Divers and the Ocean’s Secret**
Regret, as it often does, quickly followed the furious outburst. The immediate aftermath of throwing a six-carat, $65,000 diamond ring into the ocean brought a stark realization of the impulsive act. Nicolas Cage, despite his fit of rage, clearly had second thoughts about the fate of the valuable symbol of his proposal. He swiftly moved to rectify his actions, demonstrating a poignant desire to recover what was lost in the heat of the moment.
According to Priscilla Presley’s memoir, Cage wasted no time in attempting to retrieve the sunken treasure. He dispatched a team of divers to scour the area off the coast of Catalina Island where the ring had disappeared into the depths. This desperate attempt highlights the blend of grandiosity and frantic regret that often colored his actions, showing that beneath the dramatic exterior lay a man grappling with the consequences of his powerful emotions.
However, despite the concerted efforts and the expense involved in hiring divers, the ocean held onto its secret. The search proved to be in vain, and the exquisite six-carat diamond ring was never found. “As far as I know, the ring is still there,” Priscilla wrote, confirming its permanent resting place at the bottom of the sea. This detail adds a layer of enduring mystery to the tale, leaving the lost ring as a permanent underwater relic of their wild romance.
6. **Cage’s Grand Gesture: The Ten-Carat Replacement**
True to his reputation for dramatic flair and grand gestures, Nicolas Cage didn’t allow the loss of one engagement ring to deter his pursuit of Lisa Marie’s heart. Despite the $65,000 diamond remaining lost at sea, Cage’s commitment, or perhaps his desire to mend fences with an even bigger statement, prompted him to act swiftly and decisively. Just two days after the tumultuous incident, he made another move that showcased his extravagant and passionate nature.
“Two days later, he bought Lisa an even bigger diamond (ten carats), and they got engaged all over again,” Priscilla Presley revealed in her memoir. This wasn’t merely a replacement; it was an upgrade. The new ring boasted an impressive ten carats, significantly larger than the original six-carat stone. This act underscored Cage’s determination and his willingness to go above and beyond to rekindle their engagement, or at least, to re-establish the symbol of it.
This magnificent, ten-carat diamond not only served as a replacement for the lost ring but also became a testament to the unpredictable and passionate cycle of their relationship. It highlighted their tendency to break up and make up, often with dazzling reconciliations that were as intense as their arguments. The gesture was a quintessential Nicolas Cage move, a larger-than-life attempt to smooth over a dramatic incident and reaffirm their tempestuous connection, ensuring their love story continued to unfold with characteristic spectacle.
7. **The On-Again, Off-Again Romance and Its Volatile Nature**
While the story of the lost and replaced engagement ring is certainly a captivating chapter, it was merely a prelude to the passionate, often chaotic, romance that defined Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley’s connection. Their relationship, which began around 2000, was never one for quiet moments; it was an intense, on-again, off-again affair that kept everyone, including their closest family members, on their toes.
Lisa Marie herself candidly reflected on their dynamic to Rolling Stone in 2003, acknowledging the extreme highs and lows they experienced. She described their relationship as profoundly dramatic and dynamic, stating, “We’re both so dramatic and dynamic that when it was good, it was unbelievably good, and when it was bad, it was just a fu*king bloody nightmare for everybody.” This raw honesty paints a clear picture of the emotional roller coaster they were on.
Their shared intensity meant that their love story unfolded with the fervor of a dramatic saga. It was less a gentle waltz and more a thrilling, unpredictable ride, full of unexpected twists and turns. As Lisa Marie aptly put it, it was “just Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride,” a whirlwind of emotions that made their interactions unforgettable, for better or worse.
This inherent volatility, evident from their initial courtship and the engagement ring incident, became a hallmark of their entire relationship. It signaled that while their love burned brightly, it also carried the constant potential for explosive arguments and equally dramatic reconciliations, a cycle that would continue even after they walked down the aisle.
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8. **Priscilla Presley’s Candid Insights into their Tumultuous Dynamic**
Priscilla Presley, in her revealing memoir, offered invaluable insights into the daily realities of Lisa Marie and Nicolas Cage’s passionate yet turbulent relationship. Her perspective, as a mother witnessing her daughter’s whirlwind romance, highlighted the deep-seated volatility that permeated their interactions long after the lost ring incident. She painted a picture of a couple constantly caught in the throes of intense emotion.
According to Priscilla, their arguments were far from subtle or contained. She candidly wrote, “They screamed and yelled, they threw things and sometimes they broke things.” This powerful description reveals the explosive nature of their disagreements, indicating that their fights were not just verbal spats but often involved tangible expressions of their frustration, mirroring the dramatic throwing of the engagement ring.
Their dynamic was characterized by a seemingly endless cycle of dramatic conflict and equally fervent reconciliation. Priscilla observed, “They broke up. And the next day, or pretty close to it, they made up.” This pattern of intense disputes followed by swift make-ups was so frequent and intense that, in Priscilla’s words, “Lisa and Nic broke up and made up so many times, it was dizzying.”
She summarized the extreme nature of their bond with an age-old adage, perfectly encapsulating its dualistic reality: “When it was good, it was very, very good. And when it was bad, it was horrid.” Priscilla’s firsthand account provides a crucial understanding of the deep emotional currents that made their love story so compelling and, ultimately, so challenging.
9. **Their Brief Marriage and Swift Divorce**
Despite the clear signs of their tempestuous nature, Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley did indeed take their relationship to the next level. They exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Hawaii on August 10, 2002, two years after their romance first sparked. It was a momentous occasion, but even then, those closest to them harbored reservations.
Priscilla Presley, ever the watchful mother, confessed in her memoir that she had “little hope” for the longevity of the marriage. While she did her “best to be optimistic,” the inherent volatility of their on-again, off-again dynamic raised concerns about their ability to sustain a long-term commitment. Her premonition, unfortunately, proved accurate.
Their union, which began with such a high-profile engagement and dazzling replacement ring, was remarkably short-lived. Just three months after their Hawaiian wedding, in November 2002, Nicolas Cage filed for divorce. The marriage, a mere 107 days in length, came to an abrupt end, surprising many but perhaps not those who understood the intense nature of their bond.
The divorce process was far from amicable, reflecting the same fiery passion that characterized their courtship. Priscilla recounted that the split was “tumultuous and hard” on both Lisa Marie and Cage. Their love story, once again, was playing out on a grand, dramatic scale, culminating in the legal dissolution of a marriage that burned brightly but briefly.
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10. **Reflections on the Union from Lisa Marie and Nicolas Cage**
In the aftermath of their swift divorce, both Lisa Marie Presley and Nicolas Cage offered their own candid reflections on what went wrong, providing a glimpse into the complexities of their intense connection. Their statements, though separate, resonated with a shared understanding of the challenges they faced as a couple.
Lisa Marie was direct in her assessment, admitting her regret about the union shortly after the divorce. She stated, “I’m sad about this, but we shouldn’t have been married in the first place. It was a big mistake.” Her words conveyed a sense of painful realization, acknowledging that while their passion was undeniable, marriage may not have been the right path for their particular dynamic.
Nicolas Cage, in an interview with Barbara Walters, offered a more philosophical perspective on their struggles. He mused, “Oftentimes when you have two people who are very strong and their own personalities and rather intense, sometimes you can have a hard time meshing.” This insight highlighted the clash of two formidable individuals, each with their own powerful presence and distinct character, making true long-term harmony a formidable challenge.
Both stars, in their own ways, articulated that the very intensity that drew them together ultimately contributed to their separation. It was a relationship fueled by dramatic highs and lows, where two equally passionate spirits struggled to find a sustainable equilibrium. Their reflections underscored the profound understanding that sometimes, even the most captivating love stories aren’t destined for a conventional happily ever after.
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11. **Their Separate Paths: Subsequent Marriages and Family Lives**
Following their tumultuous divorce in 2004, both Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley embarked on new chapters in their personal lives, each finding love and building families with other partners. While their brief union left an indelible mark, it was not the end of their romantic journeys.
Nicolas Cage, known for his diverse array of roles and colorful personal life, went on to marry Alice Kim in July 2004, just two months after his divorce from Lisa Marie was finalized. This marriage lasted until 2016. After another brief union with Erika Koike, Cage found lasting love with Riko Shibata, whom he married in February 2021. Together, they share a three-year-old daughter named August, adding another dimension to his family life.
Lisa Marie Presley also found love again, marrying guitarist Michael Lockwood in 2006. Their marriage, which lasted until their divorce in 2021, brought them twin daughters, Harper and Finley, who are now 16 years old. This period represented a significant family chapter for Lisa Marie, expanding her role as a mother, which also included her late son Benjamin and daughter Riley from her first marriage to Danny Keough.
Tragically, after Lisa Marie’s passing, Michael Lockwood was granted full custody of their twin daughters, Harper and Finley. This ensured their continued care and stability amidst the profound loss, underscoring the enduring impact of Lisa Marie’s personal life and choices on her children.
12. **A Lasting Legacy: Lisa Marie’s Passing and Cage’s Heartfelt Tribute**
The story of Lisa Marie Presley, a prominent figure in her own right as Elvis Presley’s only child and a talented musician, came to a heartbreaking end in January 2023. She passed away at the age of 54, with a medical examiner determining that a small bowel obstruction led to her cardiac arrest. Her untimely death sent shockwaves through the entertainment world and among those who knew and loved her.
Even after their intense and short-lived marriage, the bond between Lisa Marie and Nicolas Cage clearly held a lasting significance for the actor. Upon hearing of her passing, Cage expressed profound sadness to The Hollywood Reporter, sharing how “heartbroken” he felt. His tribute was personal and touching, recalling her vibrant spirit.
He affectionately remembered her unique qualities, gushing to the outlet, “Lisa had the greatest laugh of anyone I ever met.” He further added that she “lit up every room” she entered, painting a picture of a woman whose presence was undeniably luminous and impactful, despite the personal struggles she faced throughout her life.
Priscilla Presley also spoke movingly about her daughter’s death, revealing to People that it was “the second saddest day of my life, other than losing Elvis.” This poignant statement highlights the profound void Lisa Marie left, not just in the lives of her family but in the collective memory of those touched by the Presley legacy. Her life, marked by both extraordinary privilege and profound challenges, left an enduring mark.
The intense, often tumultuous, connection between Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley remains a fascinating chapter in Hollywood history. It was a romance born of passion, defined by dramatic flair, and remembered for its unforgettable moments, from a diamond ring’s daring plunge into the ocean to their fiercely independent spirits. Their story serves as a vivid reminder that even among the brightest stars, love can be a dazzling, unpredictable force—a wild ride that, once taken, leaves an indelible mark on all who experienced it, or simply watched it unfold from afar. While their journey together was brief, the echoes of their extraordinary bond continue to resonate, a testament to two unique individuals who dared to love on their own terms, however tumultuous those terms might have been.
