Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 54. This was announced by her mother Priscilla Presley. According to US media reports, Lisa Marie Presley suffered a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on request that a corresponding emergency call had been received.
Hours earlier, Priscilla Presley wrote on Twitter that her daughter had been hospitalized. “She is now receiving the best of care. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world asking for calm at this time,” she wrote.
At the Golden Globes this week
Earlier this week, both Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley attended the Golden Globes in Los Angeles. There, Austin Butler, who won an award for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the movie “Elvis,” thanked them for their support during filming.
Lisa Marie Presley was the only child of Elvis Presley (1935-1977). She pursued a singing career herself and released three studio albums. Her private life was turbulent: the first four years of her life – until her parents separated – she lived on the common property “Graceland” in Memphis, later with her mother in Los Angeles. She suffered from the death of her father, took drugs for the first time at the age of fifteen, and at eighteen she joined the Scientology sect.
Elvis Presley with his wife Priscilla and their daughter Lisa Marie in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.
(Photo: UPI/dpa)
Two years later, Presley married for the first time, her longtime boyfriend, band musician Danny Keough. The couple had two children, Benjamin and Riley. Even during their marriage, the singer increasingly began to care for Michael Jackson. The “King of Pop” faced allegations of abuse. Presley had known Jackson for a long time. He wanted to meet her as a teenager, which apparently wasn’t mutual. Years later, when he showed interest in her demo recordings, she agreed to meet. Jackson’s difficult situation made her feel sorry, and the contact became closer.
A little later, Presley and Jackson married. At first the marriage was kept secret. Then Jackson kissed the singer at an awards ceremony. His manager came up with the idea of putting an end to rumors surrounding the pop star’s sexuality. In hindsight, Presley felt he was part of a public relations campaign. The marriage ended two years later.
Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York, 1994.
(Photo: Mark Cardwell/Reuters)
The desire to be on stage accompanied Lisa Marie Presley her whole life. At the age of 21 she wrote her first R&B songs. She almost signed a record deal, but then got pregnant for the second time and put her career on hold for a few years. After breaking up with Jackson, she wrote many songs. Her debut album “To Whom it May Concern” was released in 2003. It sold well. Presley was already 35 years old. She was assisted in writing the songs by her first husband Danny Keough, whom she continued to refer to as her “best friend”.
Her second album “Now What” followed in 2005. Critics were less enthusiastic this time. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of her father’s death, his single “In the Ghetto” was released as a duet with Elvis Presley’s electronically mixed voice. The song was a big hit. The musician released her last album ten years ago.
Lisa Marie Presley (right) with her mother Priscilla Presley (left) at the premiere of a live show about her father in Las Vegas.
(Photo: Marcel Thomas/dpa)
Lisa Marie Presley was married twice more: first to actor Nicolas Cage, then to producer Michael Lockwood. Her son from her first marriage, Benjamin Keough, died in 2020 at the age of 27. In addition to his sister Riley, the singer leaves two 14-year-old twin daughters with her last husband.
Nicolas Cage: “She lit up every room”
The singer’s sudden death caused consternation in Hollywood. “Lisa, little girl, I’m so sorry. I’ll miss you, but I know I’ll see you again”, wrote actor John Travolta on Instagram to a photo of Lisa Marie. The news also hits ex-husband Nicolas Cage. “Lisa had the most wonderful laugh of anyone I’ve ever met. She brightened up every room,” he quoted Hollywood reporters from a statement by the actor. He finds solace in believing that she is reunited with her son Benjamin.
“Our hearts are broken,” Oscar winner Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson wrote in a joint statement on Instagram. A mother should never have to lose a child, the two stressed. “Lisa Marie lost her beloved son Benjamin, Priscilla loses her only daughter. This is too much.”