Lisa Marie Presley: Life, Legacy, and Challenges

Updated on July 5th, 2025

Biography & Career

Full Name: Lisa Marie Presley Born: February 1, 1968 Died: January 12, 2023 (aged 54) Parents: Elvis Presley (father) and Priscilla Presley (mother)

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley were Lisa Marie Presley’s parents. She was born into a life of stardom. She made a name for herself as a musician, even though it was hard for her to live up to her father’s famous reputation.

Music Career

• First Album: To Whom It May Concern (2003) – debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, later certified Gold.
• Second Album: Now What (2005)
• Third Album: Storm & Grace (2012)
• Notable Duet: Where No One Stands Alone (2018) – a gospel duet with her late father, Elvis Presley.

Presley’s music was a mix of rock, pop, and lyrical reflection that showed off her unique voice and artistic style. She also wrote a spoken-word memoir after she died called From Here to the Great Unknown, which she co-wrote with her daughter Riley Keough. It will come out in October 2024.

Philanthropy

Lisa Marie Presley started the Presley Charitable Foundation in 2007. In 2022, the name was changed to The Presley Foundation. The group backed programs that helped homeless families and young people grow and thrive.

Health & Passing

Lisa Marie Presley had a heart attack in January 2023 and had to go to the hospital after having a heart episode at her house in Calabasas. Sadly, she died on Januarygas 12, 2023, at the age of 54.

Cause of Death

An autopsy showed that Presley died from a strangulated small intestinal obstruction, which was a result of surgery he had had before to lose weight. Long-term health problems like stomach pain, kidney problems, acidosis, and verified drug use were also reported.

Net Worth & Estate

When she died, Lisa Marie Presley got about $100 million, including Graceland, her father’s famous estate, which was later worth over $500 million. But in 2004, Presley sold 85% of Elvis Presley Enterprises for over $100 million. He still owns Graceland.

Presley had a lot of money problems even though she had a lot of money from her family. There were rumours of foreclosure, a claimed $16 million debt, legal fights, and claims of poor financial management. Her net worth was thought to be -$10 million at the time of her death.

Estate & Legal Issues

After her death, the legal fights over Presley’s estate were a big deal. Riley Keough, her daughter, and Priscilla Presley, her mother, got into fights, mostly about the legitimacy of trust amendments and who owns the estate. Riley Keough, who was named the only trustee of Lisa Marie’s estate, was able to stop a possible foreclosure auction, which saved Graceland.

Family & Personal Life

Lisa Marie Presley had four children:

1. Riley Keough (b. 1989) – Actress and model, trustee of Lisa Marie’s estate.
2. Benjamin Keough (1992–2020) – Tragically died by suicide.
3. Finley and Harper Lockwood (b. 2008) – Twin daughters from her marriage to Michael Lockwood.

Her personal life was marked by high-profile marriages to:

• Danny Keough (1988–1994)
• Michael Jackson (1994–1996)
• Nicolas Cage (2002; brief 108-day marriage)
• Michael Lockwood (2006–2016)

Her mother, Priscilla Presley, played a significant role in her life and was the executor of her estate until the legal disputes surrounding it began.

Recent Highlights & Media

Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club chose Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir From Here to the Great Unknown in 2024, which was a big moment in her posthumous legacy. Readers all around the world have been drawn to the memoir, which is an honest look at her connection with her father, her struggles with addiction, and her personal life.

Riley Keough’s efforts to preserve Graceland and protect the Presley legacy have been a focal point in the media, with ongoing legal action to safeguard the estate.

Legacy Summary

FAQ

What was Lisa Marie Presley’s primary cause of death?

Lisa Marie Presley died due to a small bowel obstruction, a complication from previous bariatric surgery.

How much did Lisa Marie Presley inherit?

She inherited approximately $100 million, including Graceland, which was valued at $500 million.

Did Lisa Marie Presley have children?

Yes, Lisa Marie Presley had four children: Riley Keough, Benjamin Keough, and twin daughters Finley and Harper Lockwood.

What happened to Graceland after Lisa Marie’s death?

Following Lisa Marie Presley’s death, her daughter Riley Keough became the trustee of her estate and successfully blocked a foreclosure sale on Graceland.

What is the status of Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir?

Her posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, is set to release in October 2024 and was chosen for Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club.