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In an emotional interview, Riley Keough, daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley, opened up about the profound impact her brother Benjamin’s death had on their mother.
Lisa Marie Presley passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 54, and while medical reports listed a smallbowel obstructionas the official cause of death, Keough believes that her mother’s true cause of death was much deeper—grief over the loss of her son.
Keep reading for more details!
The Impact of Benjamin Keough’s Death
In mid-2020, Lisa Marie Presley’s son, Benjamin Keough, tragically died by suicide at the age of 27.
This loss left an indelible mark on Lisa Marie, sending her into a deep emotional spiral.
According to Riley Keough, her mother struggled immensely in the years following Benjamin’s death.
“My mom tried her best to find strength for me and my youngersistersafter Ben died, but we knew how much pain she was in,” Keough shared.
She also explained that although her mother’s official cause of death was linked to physical health issues, the family knew her heartache played a central role.
“My mom physically died from the aftereffects of her surgery, but we all knew she died of a broken heart.”
Lisa Marie Presley’s Official Cause of Death
The official medical report following Lisa Marie Presley’s death cited “sequelae of small bowel obstruction” as the primary cause.
This obstruction was attributed to complications from a surgery Presley had undergone several years prior.
While these physical factors were undeniable, Keough’s reflections paint a picture of a woman who was emotionally devastated after the death of her son.
Despite the findings of the toxicology report, which ruled out suicide or overdose, it’s clear that Lisa Marie’s battle was not just physical but deeply emotional.
Category
Details
Full Name
Lisa Marie Presley
Occupation
American Singer
Date of Birth
February 1, 1968
Place of Birth
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Date of Death
January 12, 2023 (aged 54)
Place of Death
UCLA West Valley Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Burial Date
January 2023
Burial Location
Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Height
1.59 m
Parents
Elvis Presley (Father), Priscilla Presley (Mother)
Spouses
Michael Lockwood (m. 2006–2021), among others
Children
Riley Keough, Benjamin Keough
Heir
Sole heir to Elvis Presley’s estate after the deaths of her grandfather and great-grandmother
About Lisa Marie Presley
Grief and Its Toll on Lisa Marie
Keough is not alone in attributing Lisa Marie’s death to her overwhelming grief.
Earlier in 2023, Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie’smother, spoke candidly about her daughter’s emotional state in the years following Benjamin’s passing.
“I know she wasn’t happy,” Priscilla recalled. “I know that when her son died, that was really when she just didn’t want to be here.”
Priscilla’s words resonate deeply with Riley’s sentiments, and together, they paint a vivid portrait of a mother overcome by the tragic loss of her child.
The enduring emotional distress took a toll on Lisa Marie, leaving her unable to recover fully, despite her efforts to remain strong for her other children.
Lisa Marie Presley’s legacy is inextricably linked to both her famous lineage and her personal struggles.
As the only daughter of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, her life was always under the public eye.
She shared two children, Riley and Benjamin, with her ex-husband Danny Keough, and twin daughters, Finley and Harper, with another ex-husband, Michael Lockwood.
Following her mother’s death, Riley Keough, the eldest of Lisa Marie’s fourchildren, took on the difficult task of completing her mother’s unfinished memoir.
The book, titledFrom Here to the Great Unknown, was a deeply personal project for Lisa Marie. According to Riley, her mother had wanted to share her story in hopes of connecting with others who might relate to her experiences.
“She wanted to write a book in the hopes that someone could read her story and relate to her, to know that they’re not alone in the world,” Keough explained.
Finishing the memoir after her mother’s passing was a challenging yet cathartic experience for Riley.
She listened to tapes of her mother’s recordings as she wrote about some of the most painful aspects of their lives, including Benjamin’s death and Lisa Marie’s struggles with addiction.
While the process of finishing her mother’s memoir was incredibly difficult for Keough, she felt it was a promise she had to keep.
“Her hope with this book was just human connection,” Keough shared. “So that’s mine.”
The memoir is set for release in early October, and it promises to offer a deeply personal look into Lisa Marie’s life—the highs, the lows, and the moments of vulnerability that shaped her.
Through this project, Keough is carrying on her mother’s legacy of connection and empathy, ensuring that Lisa Marie’s story continues to resonate with those who may have experienced similar struggles.
Conclusion
Lisa Marie Presley’s death is a stark reminder of the complex interplay between emotional and physical health.
While medical reasons were cited for her passing, those closest to her believe her grief over Benjamin’s death was too much for her to bear.
Riley Keough’s reflections offer a heartfelt look into a family that has faced tremendous loss yet continues to seek healing.
As Riley and her sisters carry on, they do so with the knowledge that their mother’s pain was profound, but her desire to connect with others through her experiences remains a powerful legacy.
Last Updated: September 26, 2024
