Priscilla Presley's Son Navarone, 39, Defends Launching GoFundMe for Pizza Business
Navarone Garibaldi, the son of Priscilla Presley, is defending his decision to launch a GoFundMe campaign to fund a small pizza business, after facing online criticism over why he didn't simply ask his famous mother for financial help.
Garibaldi launched the fundraiser Friday, July 10, seeking $5,500 to purchase an industrial pizza oven for an "affordable organic pizza" business he hopes to run out of the driveway of his Los Angeles home. According to his GoFundMe page, he had already saved $3,000 toward the project and negotiated the oven's price down from $14,000 to $8,500. "I have always wanted to start my own business, but marketing and advertising always get in my way," he wrote in the campaign description, adding that skipping a traditional storefront would help him avoid the added expense of a brick-and-mortar shop.
The Backlash
The fundraiser quickly drew criticism from social media users questioning why Garibaldi, whose mother remains one of the entertainment industry's most recognizable figures, would need to crowdfund rather than ask Presley directly for help. Some commenters called him "extremely privileged," with one telling him to save money "how most normal people do."
Garibaldi pushed back firmly on Instagram. "Haters gonna hate… and I'm sure I'll have to explain this many more times to ignorant people who think I should 'ask my mom' or that I have money….." he wrote. "YEAH, I also have a lot of bills, I also have a budget, I also donate to other causes… I'm putting in a lot of my own money to buy this oven. Just asking for help on the remaining bit that's out of my budget. That's all."
Why He's Not Asking His Mom
Speaking separately with TMZ, Garibaldi said Presley, 81, supports the pizza venture but explained why he isn't turning to her financially. "She loves the idea but I can't ask for money for every whimsical idea I have or we both would be broke," he told the outlet.
He also directly addressed critics questioning his work ethic, pointing to his career as a musician and actor. "I've also acted in several films, as well as toured the country in a rock band," he wrote to one commenter. "I'm sorry my jobs are more fun than yours." In a separate Instagram post, he compared his GoFundMe donors to business investors, writing, "It's crazy how many people seem to think every business is created by asking someone's mom for money… Investors are a thing, and people love PIZZA!"
Who Navarone Garibaldi Is
Garibaldi is the son of Priscilla Presley and film producer Marco Garibaldi, who were together for more than two decades. He is the younger half-brother of Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley's only child. Unlike much of the Presley family, Garibaldi has pursued a career primarily in music rather than acting, serving as co-founder and lead vocalist of the Los Angeles-based band Them Guns since 1995.
Garibaldi has previously spoken publicly about overcoming a fentanyl addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic, crediting his wife, Elisa Achilli, for supporting him through his recovery. The two married in Switzerland in 2022.
As of this writing, Garibaldi's GoFundMe campaign remains active, with updates shared regularly documenting the fundraiser's progress toward its goal.
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