Lisa Marie Presley's posthumous memoir reveals toll of family tragedies

Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the iconic Elvis Presley, passed away at the age of 54 last year, leaving behind a heartfelt request for her daughter, Riley Keough, to complete her memoir. This memoir, titled 'From Here to the Great Unknown,' is a deeply personal account of Lisa Marie's life, filled with moments of trauma, addiction, loss, and grief. On the day the book was released, Riley, a 35-year-old actress, spoke with the BBC in New York about the emotional journey of sharing her mother's story. She expressed how important it was for Lisa Marie to share her experiences with the world, as it was a narrative she held close to her heart. In the memoir, Lisa Marie reflects on the profound impact her father's death had on her life. She recounts the day Elvis died when she was just nine years old, describing the moment she woke up and sensed something was wrong. Rushing to her father's room, she found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor. This traumatic event shaped her life and her relationships moving forward. Lisa Marie openly acknowledged her deep affection for her father, often referring to herself as a 'total daddy's girl. ' She also noted that she tended to seek out strong, dominant personalities in her romantic relationships, perhaps as a reflection of her bond with Elvis. Following Elvis's death, thousands of fans gathered at Graceland to pay their respects, many of them overwhelmed with emotion. Lisa Marie would often visit her father's body, touching his face and holding his hand, finding solace in those moments. She candidly shared that even as an adult, she would listen to her father's music while drinking, allowing herself to grieve. This ongoing sorrow was something Riley felt her mother never fully processed. As a child, Riley experienced anger towards her grandfather, associating his music with her mother's pain. The book also delves into the tragic loss of Lisa Marie's son, Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 27. This loss was devastating for Lisa Marie, and Riley described how they kept Benjamin's body at home for two months before burying him. She emphasized the deep bond her mother shared with Benjamin, stating that he was the love of her life. Riley believed that having more time with Benjamin's body allowed Lisa Marie to gather her thoughts and process her grief in a way that is not typical in Western culture, where death is often handled quickly and without much time for mourning. After Benjamin's death, Lisa Marie's health began to decline, and Riley felt that her mother was suffering from a broken heart. The memoir also touches on Lisa Marie's relationship with pop star Michael Jackson. They first met when she was a child, and their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship when she was an adult. Lisa Marie described their connection as incredibly strong, and they eventually married in 1994. However, their marriage was tumultuous, marked by arguments over Michael's alleged drug use and his increasingly secretive behavior. Riley noted that their relationship was passionate but ultimately fell apart. Lisa Marie's brief marriage to actor Nicolas Cage is also mentioned in the memoir, though it is not a central focus. Riley expressed uncertainty about the depth of their love, but she recalled that Cage would often surprise her mother with extravagant gifts. After her marriage to Cage, Lisa Marie sought stability in England with her fourth husband, Michael Lockwood. She moved to a historic property in East Sussex, where she tried to create a peaceful life filled with gardening and cooking. However, the isolation of country living took a toll on her mental health, and her struggles with addiction resurfaced. Despite the challenges, Lisa Marie had moments of joy and connection with her family. The memoir does not delve deeply into the complicated relationship between Lisa Marie and her mother, Priscilla, but it is evident that they faced difficulties. Lisa Marie expressed feelings of being a burden to her mother, which added to the complexity of their relationship. The book also does not address the family's financial struggles, but Riley hopes that readers will find relatable themes of love, grief, and family within its pages. She acknowledges the tragedy present in the memoir but also emphasizes the colorful and joyful aspects of their lives together. Riley is grateful for the opportunity to share her mother's story and hopes it resonates with others.