Sophia Michaels
In July 2020, Lisa Marie Presley faced an unimaginable tragedy when her son, Ben Keough, took his own life at the age of 27. Lisa, who passed away in 2023, expressed her grief in an essay for People on Grief Awareness Day in August 2022. She described enduring loss since childhood and revealed the profound sorrow she felt after losing Ben, stating, “No. Just no … no no no no.”
Presley’s heartfelt essay also served as a guide for others dealing with similar grief. She encouraged seeking support from those who have endured comparable losses, emphasizing the importance of not facing grief alone. “NOTHING takes away the pain,” she stated, but connecting with others can help lighten the burden.
In a deeply personal revelation, Presley shared in her memoir, “Here to the Great Unknown.”
Lisa Marie Presley preferred to keep Ben at home
Following Ben Keough’s death, Lisa Marie made a unique choice—she preserved his body at home using dry ice for two months before burial. In her memoir, she noted that California law doesn’t mandate immediate burial, recalling her comfort in having her father, Elvis Presley, at home after his death. This time allowed her to continue her bond with Ben and prepare for their final goodbye.
Though this choice seemed to help Lisa cope, her daughter Riley KEough later revealed that Ben would communicate discomfort with this arrangement. “We all got this vibe from my brother that he didn’t want his body in this house anymore,” Riley expressed, indicating that her mother eventually recognized it was time to let him go.
Riley also shared her own struggles at Ben’s funeral, describing it as a beautifully executed service but emotionally overwhelming. “When I’d open [my eyes], I could barely see through tears,” she recalled.
Lisa Marie Presley allowed a tattoo artist to access Ben’s body
Prior to Ben’s burial, Lisa Marie encouraged Riley to get matching tattoos with Ben’s existing ink. Unconventionally, she invited their tattoo artist to view Ben’s body to ensure accuracy—an idea Riley rejected. “I looked at my mom, and with my eyes only, I communicated, ‘Are you out of your f**king mind?'” she recounted, feeling unsettled by the situation. Despite Riley’s discomfort, Lisa pressed on, leading to an awkward encounter for the artist.
Despite the painful circumstances, Riley noted that her mother’s memoir encapsulates a wide range of emotions, including moments of joy beyond just grief. “I think it’s really important for me to remember that there was so much joy and love in our lives,” she said during an interview on “CBS This Morning.”
