Remembering Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’s Only Child, Who Passed Away at 54

Lisa Marie Presley was born under the spotlight. She fought all her life to make a career for herself without being in her father’s shadow. She was a loving mother and daughter, as well as a successful singer, and a very important goal of hers was to help those less fortunate than her. In honor of her life, let’s take a look at the most notable facts about Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s only child.

She was born exactly 9 months after her parents wed.

Lisa Marie Presley was born on February 1, 1968, in Memphis, TN. At age 4, she moved to Los Angeles with her mother after her parents divorced in 1973. She was an only child, and just 4 years after the divorce, her father passed away prematurely at the age of 42.

Lisa Marie Presley was married 4 times.

At 20, she married musician Danny Keough, and they were together for 6 years. 20 days after the divorce was finalized, Lisa Marie married Michael Jackson in secret. “When we were together, we were really in love, and then we had the rough patches,” she shared in an interview. Their relationship lasted for 3 years and their divorce was filed under “irreconcilable differences.”

In the 2000s, Presley met Nicolas Cage at a party, and the actor was so struck by her, he said, “I walk into a party not knowing who I’m going to meet and there’s this beautiful girl standing in the middle of the living room and she looks up at me with these big, beautiful, soulful eyes, eyes that look like they have a sad story to tell, and I just went, ’Oh.’” 4 months after their wedding, the 2 filed for divorce.

She was passionate about singing and songwriting.

Presley was a successful singer, and the first of 3 albums she released earned Gold Certification. Many of her songs were praised by critics and reached the top of the charts.

A memorable part of her music career was her duet with her late father Elvis’s vocals for the song, “Don’t Cry, Daddy.” The music video was presented at a tribute concert that marked the twentieth anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death.

She was a proud mother of 4.

Lisa Marie Presley had 4 children — twins Harper and Finley Lockwood, a daughter Riley, and a son, Benjamin. Unfortunately, her life has been marked by loss. When her father passed, Lisa Marie Presley was just 9 years old. In 2020, her son, Benjamin, passed away at the age of 27.

On National Grief Awareness Day, Presley shared an emotional essay about her struggle with losing loved ones.

“My and my 3 daughters’ lives as we knew it was completely destroyed. We live in this every. Single. Day. Just know after this day passes, for all your friends who have had a loved one pass away, every day is Grief Awareness Day. Ask them how they’re doing, and ask them to talk about their person. Yes! We DO want to talk about them. That’s how we keep them alive in our hearts, that’s how they don’t get forgotten, and that is what keeps us alive as well. And do me a favor, don’t tell them that ’you can’t imagine’ their pain. The truth is, oh yes, you can — you just don’t want to.”

Lisa Marie Presley was a dedicated philanthropist.

All throughout her life, Presley was dedicated to charity work. She founded The Presley Charitable Foundation, which aims to provide homeless people with rent-free housing, child care, financial counseling, and more.

Presley gave a helping hand when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and surrounding areas. “I’m here because I definitely needed to do something, and it just so happens this is where I’m from. I’m going to do everything I can. People need help — this is a huge catastrophe and everyone needs to stand up,” Presley said.

Lisa Marie Presley’s final posts on social media honored her late son, Benjamin.

She shared that a few years ago, on Mother’s Day, she and Benjamin got matching tattoos on their feet. She explained, “It’s a Celtic eternity knot. Symbolizing that we will be connected eternally. We carefully picked it to represent our eternal love and our eternal bond.”

On January 12, 2023 Lisa Marie Presley passed away at the age of 54.

Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie

Her mother released a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter, Lisa Marie, has left us. She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”

Celebrities all around the world gave their condolences. John Travolta shared, “Lisa, baby girl, I’m so sorry. I’ll miss you, but I know I’ll see you again. My love and heart go out to Riley, Priscilla, Harper, and Finley.”
Nicolas Cage said of his ex-wife, “Lisa had the greatest laugh of anyone I ever met. She lit up every room, and I am heartbroken. I find some solace believing she is reunited with her son, Benjamin.”

We hope Lisa Marie Presley rests in peace and that her legacy will live on forever. We wish her mother, her children, and all her close friends and family strength during these tough times.

What was your favorite thing about Lisa Marie Presley? What’s one way you give back to those in need?