Priscilla Presley Breaks Down In Public Over Ailing Daughter

Priscilla Presley broke down during a dramatic reunion with an ex-lover as daughter Lisa Marie’s life continues to spiral out of control!

The National ENQUIRER witnessed the shattered 72-year-old open up about her fractured family to her former flame, “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe. World exclusive photos captured by The ENQUIRER’s spies show the heartbreaking moment Priscilla confessed to being defeated by Lisa Marie’s demons, despite a last-ditch bid to save her by arranging a family reunion, as we recently reported.

“Priscilla was very upset from the minute she arrived, and Nigel tried his best to comfort her,” an insider spilled. The debonair Brit, 68, and Priscilla dated for three years before splitting in 2009. The two tried to keep a low profile as they huddled at The Beverly Hills Hotel on July 11. Despite her efforts to avoid attention, Priscilla failed to escape our photographer who snapped her collapse.

“It was difficult to watch and hear. It’s painfully clear Priscilla is struggling to cope with what’s going on,” our mole tattled. “She had a complete meltdown right there, and sat down for barely an hour before running off.” Nigel had initially reached out to Priscilla by email, and during their lunch, he reassured her, while slamming “silly” Lisa Marie.

As their heart-to-heart continued, Priscilla proceeded to unload about how Lisa’s split from fourth husband, musician Michael Lockwood, has turned her world upside down. She also confessed that her 49-year-old daughter is still in a bad way even after completing rehab for prescription drugs last year.

“There’s nothing we can do to help her … it’s scary. She’s having such a hard time in life because she has no friends,” Priscilla told Nigel. Sadly, The ENQUIRER obtained more photos of a distressed Priscilla, who appeared to wipe tears from her face after a phone call on June 28.

“Priscilla is turning to friends for support, but there’s only so much help people can offer her,” a source said. Elvis’ ex-wife has been appointed guardian to her eight-year-old twin granddaughters, Harper and Finley, while Lisa Marie recovers and her divorce from Michael rages on.

In more evidence of Lisa Marie’s downward spiral, The ENQUIRER recently caught her sucking on cigarettes, drained of color and rake-thin — apart from a protruding belly, which physicians believed was evidence of a baby bump. “She looked completely unaware of her surroundings,” dished a source who saw Lisa Marie on July 12. “It also looked like she was pregnant!”

Lisa Marie’s desperate situation comes after one family friend insisted Elvis’ only child was sober as recently as June — but revealed she’s struggled to cope with Michael finding a new girlfriend. “It put a whole lot of stress on her,” a source said. “If things continue as they are, the Presley family will be beyond repair.”