After the tragic suicide of Lisa Marie Presley’s son, Benjamin Keough, in 2020, the renowned singer and daughter of Elvis Presley faced immense difficulty in coping with her loss.
During a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey for the CBS special, “The Presleys — Elvis, Lisa Marie and Riley,” Riley Keough, Lisa Marie’s granddaughter, shared her insights on her mother’s struggles following the death of her son. Riley recounted her mother’s emotional state, stating, “I just couldn’t imagine a world where she would make it without him.” Lisa Marie often expressed her grief, saying, “I’m going to die of a broken heart,” reflecting the deep bond she shared with Benjamin.
Riley discussed her mother’s memoir, “From Here to the Great Unknown,” which she co-authored, and mentioned their family’s time at Graceland in Memphis, where Lisa Marie spent part of her childhood. Winfrey recalled a poignant moment when Lisa Marie confided in her about the possibility of not being able to continue after Benjamin’s passing. “I knew this was the end of her. You know?” Riley remarked, adding that she felt grateful for the time they had together, viewing it as borrowed time.
In the interview, Riley read a passage from the memoir, where Lisa Marie described Benjamin’s striking resemblance to their grandfather, Elvis Presley, and the close bond they shared. “Ben and I had the same relationship that my father and his mother had. It was a generational fucking cycle,” she wrote. She expressed her concern about how the family dynamic might affect her son, declaring, “Ben didn’t stand a fucking chance.”
Riley revealed that Lisa Marie made the decision to preserve Benjamin’s body on dry ice at her Los Angeles home for two months until burial arrangements could be made. “She just didn’t like the idea that he was far away,” Riley explained, emphasizing her mother’s desire for control during such a trying time.
Additionally, Riley shared that Lisa Marie found solace by her brother’s body and even expressed the wish to get matching tattoos with him. “My mom was just very much herself,” Riley stated, acknowledging the unconventional decision. The family even invited a tattoo artist to ensure the placement was accurate. “I told my mother, ‘Do you know how fucking crazy that was, what you just did?’” Riley recounted, reflecting on the surreal experience.
Lisa Marie Presley passed away on January 12, 2023, due to cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California, and was laid to rest at Graceland alongside Benjamin. Prior to her death, Lisa Marie candidly wrote about her profound grief in an essay for People, emphasizing that mourning is a lifelong journey. “Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life,” she stated, highlighting the enduring nature of loss.