Lisa Marie Presley’s untimely passing was more than just a medical tragedy

Riley Keough has completed and published a memoir about her late mother, Lisa Marie Presley, titled From Here to the Great Unknown, released on October 8. This book sheds light on the life and struggles of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s only child, who passed away unexpectedly on January 12, 2023, at just 54 years old.

Lisa Marie suffered cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California, but first responders were able to revive her temporarily thanks to CPR administered by her ex-husband, Danny Keough. After being taken to a hospital, she ultimately succumbed to complications stemming from a small bowel obstruction, which was linked to adhesions from previous bariatric surgery.

Priscilla Presley recounted a poignant memory from just two days before Lisa Marie’s death, where they were celebrating at the Golden Globes. Amid laughter, Lisa Marie suddenly felt acute stomach pain, leading them to leave the event early. This moment captured the bittersweet nature of their relationship just before the tragedy unfolded.

The Presley family has a history of heart issues, with Elvis dying from cardiac arrhythmia at 42 and his mother passing away from a heart attack at 46. Substance abuse has also plagued the family, including issues with alcohol and prescription painkillers.

However, Riley Keough emphasized that Lisa Marie’s true cause of death was “a broken heart.” She struggled profoundly after the suicide of her only son, Benjamin Keough, in 2020, reportedly keeping his body at home for two months as she grappled with the loss. In a heartfelt statement from 2022, Lisa Marie expressed her determination to continue for her daughters, Harper and Finley, born from her marriage to Michael Lockwood, highlighting her commitment to honor her son’s final wishes of protecting and caring for them.

In addition to her struggles with grief, Lisa Marie had previously been married to high-profile figures like Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage, which added layers to her already complex life. Keough’s memoir aims to honor her mother’s legacy while sharing the challenges they faced as a family.