Lisa Marie Presley: Biography, Music & Facts

Lisa Marie Presley was the daughter of legendary musician Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley. She faced early challenges. Her father passed when she was just 9. She dropped out of high school and struggled with drug abuse. Later, she found comfort in music, releasing her first album, To Whom It May Concern, in 2003.

Lisa Marie Presley children

1. Danielle Riley Keough
2. Benjamin Storm Keough
3. Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood
4. Finley Aaron Love Lockwood

Lisa Marie Presley Quick Facts

Key Detail of Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Early Years

Lisa Marie Presley was born to Elvis and Priscilla Presley on February 1, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. She lived at Graceland until she was 4 when her parents separated.

After the separation, Lisa moved with her mother to Los Angeles. Despite the split, she continued to spend time with both parents, traveling between Memphis and LA.

When Lisa was 9, her father died from heart failure, linked to drug abuse. She became the sole heir to his estate but wouldn’t inherit it until her 20s.

Lisa Marie Presley’s Husbands

Lisa Marie Presley was married four times, each marked by unique circumstances.

While in rehab, Presley met her first husband, musician Danny Keough. They married on October 3, 1988, and had two children, Danielle Riley and Benjamin. However, after six years, they divorced in 1994.

Only 20 days after her divorce from Keough, Presley married Michael Jackson. Jackson proposed over the phone after just four months of dating. Their marriage was brief, and Presley filed for divorce in January 1996.

In 2000, Presley met actor Nicolas Cage while engaged to musician John Oszajca. She broke off her engagement to Oszajca and married Cage in Hawaii on August 10, 2002. Their marriage ended in divorce just 108 days later.

Presley’s fourth marriage was to guitarist Michael Lockwood on January 22, 2006.  Although it was her longest marriage, Presley filed for divorce in 2016. The divorce was finalized in 2021 after a custody battle.

Children

Lisa Marie Presley had four children: Danielle Riley, Benjamin with Danny Keough, and twins Harper and Finley with Michael Lockwood.

Born in May 1989, Riley Keough began her career as a model before transitioning to acting. She gained recognition for her roles in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Logan Lucky (2017), The Girlfriend Experience, and Daisy Jones & The Six (2023).

Born in October 1992, Benjamin Keough followed in his family’s footsteps by pursuing a music career, though he never released an album. Tragically, Benjamin died by suicide at age 27 in July 2020. Presley wrote about the deep grief following his death, describing it as a life-shattering loss for her and her daughters.

Fraternal twins Harper and Finley were born in October 2008. During Presley’s custody battle with Michael Lockwood, the twins were temporarily placed in protective custody with their grandmother, Priscilla Presley.

Music Career of Lisa

While building her family, Lisa Marie Presley was also pursuing a music career. In 1992, she recorded her first demo but declined the record deal offered to her afterward.

To Whom It May Concern April 8, 2003 was the first release. The album soared to No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned gold certification in June 2003. Her second album, Now What, was launched on April 5, 2005, debuting at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and achieving gold certification by November 2005.

In 2007, Presley recorded In the Ghetto as a duet with her late father, Elvis Presley. The music video reached the top of the iTunes charts and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard singles chart, with all proceeds benefiting a Scientology charity. Her third album, *Storm and Grace, was released in 2012.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Struggles with Addiction

Lisa Marie Presley battled addiction at various points in her life. During her 2017 divorce from Michael Lockwood, she admitted to using opioids, cocaine, painkillers, and alcohol. She attended rehab multiple times.

Opioid Dependency

In the 2019 book The United States of Opioids, Presley shared that she became addicted to opioids after being prescribed them following the birth of her twins, Harper and Finley. She expressed gratitude for being alive and credited her four children for inspiring her sobriety.

Concerns During Divorce

Although Presley kept her struggles mostly private, Lockwood raised concerns during their divorce that she might relapse after the tragic death of their son, Benjamin, in 2020.

Lisa Marie Presley Net Worth

Surprisingly, Lisa Marie Presley’s net worth was estimated at negative $10 million at the time of her death, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

After Elvis’ death, Presley became the sole heir to his estate, officially inheriting it on her 25th birthday. However, in December 2004, she sold 85% of Elvis Presley Enterprises to businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman for about $100 million. She reportedly received $53 million in cash and was relieved of $25 million in estate debts.

Over time, her finances deteriorated. By 2018, during her divorce from Michael Lockwood, Presley revealed she was over $16 million in debt, which included taxes, credit card bills, and a defaulted mortgage.

Lisa’s Final Days and Death

Lisa Marie Presley made her last public appearance at the Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2023. She attended to support actor Austin Butler, who portrayed her father in the biopic Elvis. During an interview with Extra reporter Billy Bush, she struggled with walking and speaking, raising concerns about her health.

Tragically, just two days later, Presley passed away on January 12, 2023, at age 54 in California. Initial reports indicated she suffered cardiac arrest. An autopsy later revealed that a small bowel obstruction led to her cardiac arrest, caused by scar tissue from previous bariatric surgery.

Presley was laid to rest at Graceland, where her memorial service took place on January 22, 2023. Over 1,000 people gathered on the front lawn to honor her memory. Notable performances during the service included those by Barry Corgan from The Smashing Pumpkins, Alanis Morissette, and Axl Rose.

Estate Dispute

Following Lisa Marie Presley’s death in January 2023, her mother, Priscilla Presley, filed a challenge in Los Angeles Superior Court regarding the validity of Lisa Marie’s will. This action caused a temporary rift within the Presley family.

A 2016 amendment to the will replaced Priscilla and Barry Siegel as co-trustees of the Promenade Trust with Lisa Marie’s children, Riley and Benjamin. Priscilla argued the amendment lacked proper witnessing, featured an unusual signature, and she was not notified of the change.

The trust governed the Graceland property and included a 15% stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises.

In May 2023, reports indicated that Priscilla and Riley Keough had settled. A judge approved the agreement in early August, with financial details finalized in October. Ultimately, Riley was named the sole trustee of the Promenade Trust, while Priscilla became a “special advisor” to the trust, earning $100,000 annually. Additionally, she received a $1 million payout and a burial plot at Graceland.

Music Album List

• To Whom It May Concern (2003)
• Now What (2005)
• Storm and Grace (2012)
• In the Ghetto (2007)

FAQs

How many children did Lisa Marie Presley have?

Lisa Marie Presley had four children. They are:

1. Danielle Riley Keough
2. Benjamin Storm Keough
3. Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood
4. Finley Aaron Love Lockwood

What is Lisa Marie Presley net worth?

At the time of her death, Lisa Marie Presley’s net worth was estimated at negative $10 million.

What is Lisa Marie Presley cause of death?

Lisa Marie Presley died from cardiac arrest caused by a small bowel obstruction.

How many Lisa Marie have biological children?

Lisa Marie Presley had two biological children:

1. Danielle Riley Keough
2. Benjamin Storm Keough