Inside Riley Keough's tough year after Lisa Marie Presley's death: Graceland to battling Lyme Disease

Inside Riley Keough's tough year after Lisa Marie Presley's death: Graceland to battling Lyme Disease
Riley Keough has had a tough year after mother Lisa-Marie Presley's death in January 2023 (Getty Images)

A look at Riley Keough's tough year since mother Lisa Marie Presley's death

Riley Keough faces losing Graceland (Getty Images)
Riley Keough has spent the first year since her mother's death fighting for Graceland as well as Lyme Disease (Getty Images)

Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, has been facing a challenging year ever since her mother's death in January 2023. Though she found herself inheriting Elvis's home 'Graceland', along with the property, she also inherited several legal troubles. Apart from battling Lyme Disease, she also found herself in a war with her grandmother Priscilla Presley while fighting for Graceland.

1. Riley Keough engages in legal tussle with her grandmother Priscilla Presley

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: (L-R) Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough attend the Handprint Cerem
Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough fought a tough legal fight (Getty Images)

Riley Keough's major legal issues started after the death of her mother Lisa Marie. Elvis Presley's only daughter named Keough and son Benjamin Keough as co-trustees of her estate, including the King of Rock and Roll's estate Graceland. After Benjamin's unfortunate death in 2020, Keough found herself being the sole trustee. However, it has been reported by People that just a few days after Lisa Marie's death, Priscilla contested the will in court. While she was originally named a co-trustee in the will, her name was removed from the will without Priscilla knowing about the change. Per Nicki Swift, "It's a very sad situation. Riley is shocked Priscilla is contesting the amendment." Some sources even claimed that the relationship between the duo deteriorated to the point where they stopped talking to each other. Nevertheless, a source added, "Riley wants to keep the family together and keep Lisa Marie's legacy in a positive light, but she feels that her grandmother's actions are pushing the family apart even more."

2. Riley Keough faced the challenge of losing Graceland

Home of Elvis Presley, circa 2010. (Photo by Alison Wright/Getty Images)
Riley Keough became the heir to Graceland, home of her grandfather Elvis Presley (Alison Wright/Getty Images)

Soon after inheriting Graceland, she faced the challenge of her grandfather's home being sold. In 2024, Graceland was reportedly getting sold in foreclosure after Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC claimed that Lisa Marie Presley had used it as collateral for a $3.8 million loan. However, Keough filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming it is a "false entity." Though the property was to be auctioned this Thursday, May 23, a judge paused the sale. The entire procedure, nevertheless, "traumatized" the 'Mad Max' star, per Nicki Swift.

3. Riley Keough faces debts of her late mother Lisa Marie Presley

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: (L-R) Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, and Riley Keough atten
After Lisa Marie Presley's death, Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough were engaged in a legal battle for Graceland (Getty Images)

Following her mother's death, Keough faced severe financial woes. Keough found herself having to deal with a number of outstanding loans of her late mother that amounted to millions. Keough later reached an agreement with Barclays Bank to settle Lisa Marie's $1.6 million debt, according to Radar.  Adding to her challenges, was an alleged rift with her grandmother Priscilla Presley after Elvis Presley's ex-wife filed a legal suit for Graceland. In an interview with Vanity Fair in August 2023, she shared, "There was a bit of upheaval, but now everything's going to be how it was," before supporting her grandmother, saying, "All she wants is to love and protect Graceland," she said. Priscilla also told The Hollywood Reporter, "Riley and I are on good terms. We were never not on good terms." 

4. Riley Keough struggled with Lyme Disease

Riley Keough fought Lyme Disease (Instagram/@rileykeough)
Riley Keough sought treatment for Lyme Disease at a facility in Switzerland (@rileykeough/Instagram)

Last year, the Emmy-nominated actress also underwent treatments for Lyme Disease. In the interview with Vanity Fair, the actress revealed that in August 2023, she visited Switzerland to seek treatment for the disease. During the interview, Keough disclosed that she opted for a surrogate to welcome her daughter Tupelo because of her condition. Keough shared, “I have Lyme Disease. I used this little break that I have to come and try and see if I can alleviate it a bit. It’s a holistic treatment center and offers all kinds of things that you can’t really do in America yet, like cleaning your blood.” Lyme Disease consists of symptoms including headaches, painful arthritis of the joints, cardiovascular problems, breathing issues, and neurologic complications, per the CDC.

5. Riley Keough is looking after her younger sisters

(L-R) Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough, and Finley Aaron Love Lockwood attend the Handprint Ceremony honoring Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley And Riley Keough at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 21, 2022 in Hollywood, California.
Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough, and Finley Aaron Love Lockwood (Getty Images)

Riley Keough has previously been described as a "very protective" sister of her half-siblings Harper and Finley Lockwood, per People. Lisa Marie welcomed the twins with her ex Michael Lockwood. Following their mother's passing, Keough took on the role of an elder sister and looked out for their well-being. A source close to the family told Us Weekly in September 2023,  "Riley has been through it too so she's helping [Harper and Finley]. She recently got them tickets to Taylor Swift and has taken them shopping." While Lisa Marie's death indeed brought the sisters closer, the 'Daisy Jones' actress has always felt 'maternal' toward her sisters. Previously she told Wonderall in 2018, "I'm more maternal to them ... It's more of, like, a caretaker relationship."

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