The tragic life of Lisa Marie Presley: How Elvis’ only daughter suffered the early death of a parent, failed marriages and the grief of losing a son
As the only child of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, Lisa Marie Presley’s life was one of music royalty.
With the prestigious Presley name and as the sole heir to Elvis’ Graceland estate, rock music’s first princess was born into fame and fortune.
Presley, who died aged 54 on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California, would find renown of her own, launching a music career that would see her score two US top 10 albums.
But her life would be one beset by tragedy, including the death of her legendary musician father when she was just nine years old and the loss of her son.
She would also have four high-profile separations, including from the singer Michael Jackson, and a fateful 107-day marriage to the actor Nicholas Cage.
Tragedy at the age of nine
Born in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, at the tail-end of “Elvis-mania”, news of Lisa Marie’s birth was celebrated like that of traditional royalty.
Elvis poses with wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie in 1968
But her family life would soon be torn apart by infidelity.
After claims of affairs on both sides, Priscilla’s affair with her karate teacher proved the final straw in the couple’s already tumultuous marriage.
The pair eventually separated later that year, in 1972.
Lisa Marie, then aged four, would spend her childhood between her mother’s Californian home and her father’s estate of Graceland in Memphis.
Her mother would later enter a relationship with actor Michael Edwards, who Lisa Marie would accuse in a 2003 interview of “coming into my room and being inappropriate while drunk” when she was a teenager.
Tragedy struck again when Lisa Marie was just nine years old, when her father died at the age of just 42 after suffering a heart attack.
During her school years, she began to experiment with drugs, leading her mother to send her to a series of private schools and at one point a boarding school.
Lisa Marie Presley poses for her first picture, safe in the lap of her mother, Priscilla, on February 5, 1968, alongside beaming father, Elvis Presley
Speaking about her school years in a 2003 interview with the LA Times, she said: “(I) was kind of a loner, a melancholy and strange child.
“I had a real self-destructive mode for a while.
“I never really fit into school. I didn’t really have any direction.”
Failed first marriage and ill-fated second with Michael Jackson
After dropping out of high school in her Junior year, Lisa Marie was sent to the Scientology Celebrity Center for drug rehabilitation, where she would meet her first husband, musician Danny Keough.
The pair married in 1988 and had two children; Riley, who is now an actress and model, and Benjamin.
Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough
Just three weeks after her divorce from Keough was finalised in 1994, Lisa Marie got married to the singer Michael Jackson, following his proposal over the phone.
The pair soon went to the Dominican Republic, where Lisa Marie filed a quick divorce to Keough, then wed Jackson in private.
She later publicly announced the wedding, by saying: “My married name is Mrs Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson. My marriage to Michael Jackson took place in a private ceremony outside the United States weeks ago.”
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Elvis’ only daughter dies at the age of 54
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But their marriage was rocked by the emerging allegations of child abuse against Jackson.
The singer reportedly became dependent on Lisa Marie for emotional support, while she became concerned about his use of sedative drugs.
Lisa Marie later said in an interview with Rolling Stone that she had hoped to “save” the troubled singer.
Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley
The marriage was dogged by theories the pair had an asexual relationship, leading to Lisa Marie appearing in a suggestive video for his 1995 hit You Are Not Alone.
But a year later, in 1996, the pair divorced.
A 107-day marriage to Nicholas Cage
The couple attempted to reconcile over the next four years. However, in 2000, Lisa Marie would enter a new relationship with singer John Oszajca.
But she dramatically broke off their engagement after meeting actor Nicholas Cage at a party.
The pair married in August 2002. But just 107 days later, their marriage ended in divorce.
Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley
Speaking to Larry King about the marriage in 2003, she said: “It looked attractive, like I could be equal. Similar situations, similar backgrounds.
“So we connected, we had a great connection.
“It was kind of one of those things where you marry someone hoping… to either stabilise [my life] or it’s going to, you know, accentuate all that was going on prior to what was problematic.
“So it kind of did the latter, that’s all.”
Bitter divorce battle
Four years later, Lisa Marie married again, this time to guitarist and music producer Michael Lockwood, with her former husband Keough serving as best man at the couple’s ceremony.
The pair had twins, Finley and Harper, in 2008.
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Lockwood
But their 10-year marriage ended in an acrimonious divorce in 2016, during which Lockwood attempted to lay claim to some of Lisa Marie’s substantial estate, despite a prenuptial agreement.
After a bitter battle, Lisa Marie’s inheritance was protected and their divorce was finalised in 2021.
Following in her father’s footsteps
There were happier times for Lisa Marie, however.
She followed in her father’s footsteps by pursuing a music career, starting in 2003 with her debut album: To Whom It May Concern.
It charted in the top 10 on the US Billboard album chart, as did follow-up record Now What in 2005.
Lisa Marie Presley performs during her Storm and Grace tour
Fans had to wait seven years for her third album, Storm And Grace, which was released to positive reviews.
The name of the album is believed to have been inspired partly by her son Benjamin, whose middle name is Storm.
In 2018, Presley featured on a new record, titled Where No One Stands Alone, which was released to celebrate her father’s love of gospel music, and featured 14 original performances recorded by him.
The title track was a reimagined duet, in which Lisa Marie’s vocals featured alongside those of her father.
The death of her son
However, her life continued to be plagued by tragic twists.
Lisa Marie described being “shattered” by the news of Jackson’s death, at the age of 50, in 2009.
And in 2020 her son, Benjamin, took his own life at the age of 27.
Lisa Marie Presley (C), with her children Riley and Benjamin Keough (R)
Last year, she wrote an essay for People magazine about his death.
“I’ve dealt with death, grief and loss since the age of nine years old,” she said.
“I’ve had more than anyone’s fair share of it in my lifetime and somehow, I’ve made it this far.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. Alternatively, letters can be mailed to: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS.
Entertainment
Judi Dench, Malala and Stanley Tucci join call for Starmer to ‘end UK complicity’ in Gaza
Dame Judi Dench, Malala and Stanley Tucci are among another 100 famous names who have added their signatures to a letter urging Sir Keir Starmer to “end the UK’s complicity” in Gaza.
Sky News can exclusively reveal the Bond actress, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Conclave actor are among a host of public figures who have added their names to the letter.
At the end of May, Sky News revealed about 300 actors, bands, singers, activists and sportspeople signed the letter, organised by refugee charity Choose Love, calling on Sir Keir to suspend all UK arms sales and licences to Israel.
Dua Lipa, Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Lineker were among the celebrities to also urge the PM to use all available means to ensure full humanitarian access and broker an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Celebrities and activists also read out all the names of children killed in Gaza in front of parliament.
But three weeks later, they say nothing has changed.
Dua Lipa, Gary Lineker and Benedict Cumberbatch signed the letter in May. Pics: PA
Other new signatories include actors Florence Pugh and Russell Tovey, Dr Who star Ncuti Gatwa, singer Paolo Nutini, author Michael Rosen, musician Paul Weller, Little Mix members Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall, broadcaster Fearne Cotton, Game of Thrones actress Carice van Houten, Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright and ex-England rugby captain Chris Robshaw.
The letter urges Sir Keir to “take immediate action to end the UK’s complicity in the horrors of Gaza”, and says children are starving “while food and medicine sit just minutes away”, in reference to Israel blocking aid into the territory.
It says 71,000 children under four are “acutely malnourished” and those who survive starvation “wake up to bombs falling on them”, with more than 15,000 children killed in the conflict so far.
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Ncuti Gatwa, who plays Dr Who, has signed the letter. Pic: Reuters
Actress Florence Pugh has also signed the letter. Pic: Reuters
Actor Russell Tovey is a signatory too. Pic: Reuters
“Violence stamped with UK inaction – flown with parts shipped from British factories to Israel – could be obliterating families in seconds,” the letter adds.
“You can’t call it ‘intolerable’, yet do nothing.
“Every moment this continues, is another moment children die on our watch.
“History is written in moments of moral clarity. This is one. The world is watching and history will not forget. The children of Gaza cannot wait another minute.
“Prime minister, what will you choose? Complicity in war crimes, or the courage to act?”
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Steve Coogan: It has to stop
What has Starmer said and done about Gaza?
In September, the UK suspended about 30 arms export licences to Israel, but government export licensing figures from May show the UK approved licences for £127.6m worth of military equipment from October to December 2024 – more than the total between 2020 and 2023.
Since the first letter was sent, Sir Keir has called Israel’s actions in Gaza – both the blockade of aid and strikes – “appalling and intolerable”.
Some of his own MPs are pressuring him to take further action against Israel and call the 20-month war – which started when Hamas killed 1,195 people in Israel and took 250 hostage – a genocide, but he has not used those words.
On 10 June, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich over “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian civilians”.
They are banned from entering the UK and are now subject to a freeze on UK assets and director disqualifications.
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Gaza crisis ‘acute’ and continuing
Last week, Sir Keir said more RAF jets, including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers, were being sent to the Middle East after Israel and Iran attacked each other.
On Tuesday, Sir Keir told Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby he is “worried about the impact” escalation between the two countries will have on Gaza.
Josie Naughton, co-founder and CEO of Choose Love, said: “Since we urged the government to end its complicity in the horrors of Gaza, more people have added their voice to our call. We cannot be silent while children are being killed and families are being starved.
“It took us 18 hours to read the 15,613 names of children known to be killed in Gaza. Every single one of them was someone’s whole universe. Every one of them deserved better.
“The situation is changing by the second, but until the UK government has halted all arms sales and licences to Israel, ensured that humanitarian aid can reach people starving inside Gaza and stopped the killing, they will not have done enough.
“History will remember how we acted in this moment. We beg Keir Starmer to end the UK’s complicity in these horrors.”
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A government spokesperson said: “We strongly oppose the expansion of military operations in Gaza and call on the Israeli government to cease its offensive and immediately allow for unfettered access to humanitarian aid.
“The denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law.”
The spokesperson added: “Last year, we suspended export licences to Israel for items used in military operations in Gaza and continue to refuse licences for military goods that could be used by Israel in the current conflict.
“We urge all parties to urgently agree a ceasefire agreement and work towards a permanent and sustainable peace.”
Gary Glitter will stay in prison after the Parole Board refused the disgraced singer’s bid to be released.
Glitter, 81, was recalled to jail less than six weeks after he was released halfway through his 16-year sentence in 2023 for breaching his licence conditions by allegedly viewing downloaded images of children.
He was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment in 2015 after being found guilty of sexually assaulting three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980.
The Parole Board last year said it was “not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public” after a hearing held behind closed doors.
Glitter was jailed in 2015 Pic: PA
A spokesman on Tuesday said his release was refused again following a “paper review”.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community,” a statement said.
“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, will be eligible for a further review at a date set by the Ministry of Justice. His sentence expires in February 2031.
He was made bankrupt earlier this year after failing to pay more than £500,000 in damages to a woman who sued him for abusing her when she was 12 years old.
Richard Scorer, head of abuse law and public inquiries at Slater and Gordon, who represented the woman, told Sky News the Parole Board has made “the right decision”.
He added: “My client is relieved at this ruling but apprehensive about having to go through the merry-go-round of Gadd coming up for parole again, and the fear of him being let out on licence.
“This is unfair on victims and it would be better if they were assured that he would serve the rest of his sentence.”
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Glitter was first jailed for four months in 1999 after he admitted possessing around 4,000 indecent images of children.
He was expelled from Cambodia in 2002, and in March 2006 was convicted of sexually abusing two girls, aged 10 and 11, in Vietnam, where he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
Glitter was automatically released from HMP The Verne, a low-security prison in Portland, Dorset, in February 2023 after serving half of his fixed-term determinate sentence.
But he was back behind bars weeks later after reportedly trying to access the dark web and images of children.
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