Inside Riley Keough's tough year after Lisa Marie Presley's death: Graceland to battling Lyme Disease
A look at Riley Keough's tough year since mother Lisa Marie Presley's death
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
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
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
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
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
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."
