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Riley Keough, the daughter of the legendaryLisa Marie Presley, recently opened up about the profoundly emotional and incredibly public way she discovered her mother had passed away.
In Lisa Marie’s posthumously published memoir,From Here to the Great Unknown, Riley reflects on the tumultuous period leading up to her mother’s death, sharing the private moments and emotions she experienced.
Lisa Marie Presley, the onlydaughterof the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, tragically passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 54. Her death was a shock to the public and a devastating loss to her family, especially her children.
Riley, being the eldest, has had to cope with the grief while navigating the public eye. In the memoir, she recounts how she learned the heartbreaking news through a text message — a moment many could never imagine happening under such circumstances.
Before Lisa Marie’s untimely passing, she had been working on her memoir,From Here to theGreat Unknown, intended to share her life story, personal battles, and experiences as Elvis Presley’s daughter.
Riley Keough had agreed to help her mother with the memoir, excited to tell the personal tale of Lisa Marie’s extraordinary life, which had been both blessed and burdened by fame.
However, Lisa Marie passed away before the memoir could be completed. Determined to honor her mother’s legacy, Riley took it upon herself to finish the project.
She completed the book by listening to audio recordings of her mother’s stories, ensuring that her mother’s voice and memories were preserved in the way she intended. This task was bittersweet for Riley.
On one hand, it allowed her to connect with her mother in a new way, hearing her voice and reliving their shared experiences. It was a constant reminder of the painful reality that her mother was no longer with her.
Yet, Riley felt a responsibility to see the project through, understanding how important it was for her mother to share her journey with the world.
The Day Everything Changed: Lisa Marie’s Final Moments
Lisa Marie Presley’s death did not come as a sudden announcement. The public became aware of her condition before she officially passed away.
On January 12, 2023, TMZ reported that Lisa Marie had been rushed to the hospital after suffering full cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California. The situation quickly became critical, with emergency responders performing CPR and administering epinephrine in a desperate attempt to save her life before she was transported to the hospital.
At that time, Riley Keough was in Canada, in the middle of filming a television show. According to Riley’s segment in the memoir, which was shared byUs Weekly, she had to process the terrifying news from thousands of miles away.
She immediately booked a flight to Los Angeles, hoping she would reach her mother in time. “I felt like my mother was caught between two worlds,” Riley recalls in the memoir, reflecting on the surreal experience of rushing home.
As she traveled, Riley tried to connect with her mother’s spirit, telling her that it was okay to let go if she needed to. It was a deeply spiritual and emotional moment, as she wrestled with the possibility that her mother’s time was coming to an end.
Throughout the day, Riley stayed in touch with her father, Danny Keough, who was at Lisa Marie’s side, providing her with updates on her mother’s condition. But as time passed, the frequency of his messages began to dwindle.
Riley, sensing the gravity of the situation, tried to prepare herself for the worst. Eventually, the news she had been dreading arrived — not in a face-to-face conversation, but via a text message.
Her father sent her amessagethat would forever change her life: “She passed a few minutes ago, honey. Didn’t want to tell you by text, but I’m worried it’s going to hit the papers.”
Riley described how reading that message left her in a state of shock and disbelief. Her father added,“I love you so much. I’m really sorry to tell you like this. I don’t want you to be blindsided when you get off the plane.”
For Riley, the way she learned of her mother’s passing was agonizing. Being on a plane, isolated from her family, made the experience even more surreal and painful. Yet, as heartbreaking as it was, she understood why her father had told her that way — the media would have reported the news immediately, and he didn’t want her to hear it from a public source.
Lisa Marie’s Cause of Death
Lisa Marie Presley’s death sparked widespread speculation, but the official cause of death was later revealed to be related to complications from a small bowel obstruction. Her primary cause of death was listed as “sequelae of smallbowel obstruction,” with contributing factors including a surgery she had undergone years earlier.
A toxicology report confirmed that there was no foul play involved, nor did she die as a result of suicide or a drug overdose. In the months following her death, the Presley family has remained relatively private about the specifics of Lisa Marie’s health issues.
However, it has been confirmed that she had struggled with various health challenges over the years, which likely contributed to her condition.
Losing a loved one is never easy, but for Riley Keough, her grief was amplified by the public nature of her mother’s life and death. Throughout her healing process, she has remained open about the emotional toll it has taken on her.
In interviews, Riley has discussed how her mother’s death has changed her perspective on life, making her more aware of the fragility of time and relationships. Despite the grief, Riley has shown immense strength.
Completing her mother’s memoir has been a form of catharsis, allowing her to channel her emotions into something meaningful. Through the memoir, Lisa Marie’s legacy will live on, providing a glimpse into the life of a woman who was both the daughter of an icon and a star in her own right.
Date
Event
January 12, 2023
Lisa Marie Presley is rushed to the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest at her home.
January 12, 2023
TMZ breaks the news of her critical condition.
January 12, 2023
Lisa Marie Presley passes away in the hospital.
January 12, 2023
Riley Keough learns of her mother’s passing via text message from her father.
Post-January 2023
The official cause of death is confirmed as small bowel obstruction complications.
July 2023
Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir,From Here to the Great Unknown, is published posthumously.
Table: Timeline of Events Surrounding Lisa Marie Presley’s Death
Conclusion
Riley Keough’s recounting of the day she lost her mother is a powerful reminder of the profound bond between mother and daughter.
Although Lisa Marie Presley’s life was cut short, her legacy continues through her children and the stories she left behind.
Riley’s commitment to finishing her mother’s memoir and keeping her memory alive is a testament to the love and strength that Lisa Marie instilled in herfamily.
ThroughFrom Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie Presley’s voice will continue to resonate with readers, offering insight into her unique life and the challenges she faced as the daughter of one of the most famous figures in music history.
Riley Keough on Finishing Lisa Marie Presley’s Memoir and Listening to Her Old Voice Recordings
Last Updated: October 10, 2024
