Lisa Marie Presley was more than just the daughter of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. She was a singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and mother of four. She also had a tumultuous personal life, marked by four marriages, a custody battle, and a tragic loss of her son. In this blog post, we will explore the life and legacy of Lisa Marie, who died of natural causes at the age of 54 in 2023.
Early life and inheritance
Lisa Marie was born on February 1, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, as the only child of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. She grew up in the spotlight, surrounded by her father’s fame and fortune. She often visited him at his Graceland mansion, where she developed a love for music and theatrics. She also witnessed his struggles with drug addiction and health problems, which eventually led to his death in 1977, when she was only nine years old.
Lisa Marie inherited her father’s estate, which was worth an estimated $100 million at the time. She became the sole heir after the deaths of her grandfather and great-grandmother in 1979 and 1980, respectively. She gained full control of the estate on her 25th birthday in 1993, and sold 85 percent of it in 2004. She retained ownership of Graceland and some of her father’s personal belongings.
Musical career and collaborations
Lisa Marie followed in her father’s footsteps as a musician and released three studio albums over the course of her career. Her debut album, To Whom It May Concern, came out in 2003 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. It featured a mix of soft rock, alternative, folk, and pop/rock genres, and included songs that reflected her personal experiences and emotions.
Her second album, Now What, was released in 2005 and also received positive reviews from critics and fans. It contained a cover of Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” and a duet with Pink called “Shine”. Her third and final album, Storm & Grace, was released in 2012 and showcased a more mature and authentic sound, influenced by contemporary Americana and blues. It was produced by T Bone Burnett and featured collaborations with Richard Hawley and Ed Harcourt.
Lisa Marie also released non-album singles, including duets with her father using archival recordings. She made a video of “Don’t Cry Daddy” as a posthumous duet with her father in 1997, which was presented at the tribute concert that marked the 20th anniversary of his death. She also recorded a version of “In the Ghetto” with him in 2007, which was released to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death and to raise funds for a new Presley Place transitional housing campus in New Orleans. She also performed live with her father’s voice and image on a giant screen at the 25th anniversary concert in Memphis in 2002.
Personal life and relationships
Lisa Marie was well-known for her four high-profile marriages, which all ended in divorce. Her first husband was Danny Keough, a musician and a Scientologist, whom she married in 1988 and divorced in 1994. They had two children together: a daughter, Riley, who became a model and actress, and a son, Benjamin, who resembled his grandfather and pursued a music career.
Her second husband was Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, whom she married in 1994 and divorced in 1996. Their marriage was controversial and widely speculated to be a publicity stunt, but Lisa Marie insisted that they had a genuine relationship and that she tried to help him with his drug addiction and legal troubles. Her third husband was Nicolas Cage, an actor and a fan of Elvis, whom she married in 2002 and divorced in 2004.
Their marriage was short-lived and turbulent, and they filed for divorce after only 108 days. Her fourth and final husband was Michael Lockwood, a guitarist and producer, whom she married in 2006 and divorced in 2021. They had twin daughters together: Harper and Finley, who were born in 2008.
Lisa Marie also had a difficult relationship with her mother, Priscilla Presley, who was the executor of Elvis’ estate until Lisa Marie turned 25. They had disagreements over the management of the estate and the involvement of Scientology in their lives. Lisa Marie left the church in 2014, after being a member for most of her life. She also had a half-brother, Navarone Garibaldi, from her mother’s 22-year relationship with Marco Garibaldi.
Tragedy and death
Lisa Marie faced a tragic loss in 2020, when her son Benjamin committed suicide at the age of 27. He was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in Calabasas, California, on July 12, 2020. Lisa Marie was devastated by his death and said that he was “the love of her life”. She also struggled with addiction, depression, and financial issues, and was involved in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband Lockwood over their twin daughters.
Lisa Marie died of natural causes on January 12, 2023, at the age of 54. She was rushed to a hospital in California after suffering a cardiac arrest, which was caused by a small bowel obstruction. The obstruction was a result of adhesions caused by weight-loss surgery she underwent several years ago. She was buried next to her son Benjamin at Graceland, where her father and other family members were also laid to rest.
Legacy and influence
Lisa Marie left behind a legacy of music, philanthropy, and family. She was the president of the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, which supported various causes, such as literacy, health, hunger, and homelessness. She also donated to other charities, such as Save the Children, Habitat for Humanity, and the Dream Factory. She was an advocate for children’s rights and spoke out against child abuse and exploitation. She also supported the preservation of Graceland and the promotion of her father’s legacy.
Lisa Marie influenced many artists and celebrities, who admired her courage, honesty, and talent. She was friends with Madonna, Cher, Johnny Depp, and Oprah Winfrey, among others. She also inspired many fans, who related to her struggles and achievements. She was regarded as a strong and independent woman, who lived her life on her own terms and expressed herself through her music.
Lisa Marie was a unique and remarkable person, who had a profound impact on the world. She was the daughter of the King, but she was also a queen in her own right. She will be remembered and missed by many.
What Was Lisa Marie's Biggest Hit Song?
Lisa Marie’s biggest hit song was “Lights Out”, the lead single from her debut album, To Whom It May Concern, in 2003. The song peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart and No. 18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song reflects her background as Elvis’s daughter, talking about family and Graceland1. You can listen to the song here: Lisa Marie Presley - Lights Out.
What Are Lisa Marie's Songs
Lisa Marie had many songs over her musical career, which spanned over three decades. Some of her popular songs are:
“Lights Out”: This was the lead single from her debut album, To Whom It May Concern, in 2003. The song reflects her background as Elvis’s daughter, talking about family and Graceland.
“You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”: This was the lead single from her third and final album, Storm & Grace, in 2012. The song showcases a more mature and authentic sound, influenced by contemporary Americana and blues.
“Don’t Cry Daddy”: This was a posthumous duet with her father using archival recordings, released in 1997 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death. The song is a heartfelt tribute to her father and their relationship.
You can listen to these songs and more on YouTube or Last.fm. You can also read more about her songs and lyrics on Genius1 or American Songwriter.
What Are Lisa Marie's Awards?
Lisa Marie did not win any major awards for her music, but she was honored and recognized for her contributions to the industry and her father’s legacy. Some of the occasions where she was honored are:
She presented an award at the GRAMMYs in 2005.
She was honored at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards with a touching tribute after her death.
She made her final public appearance at the 80th Golden Globe Awards in 2023, where she supported Austin Butler, who won best actor for his portrayal of Elvis in the Baz Luhrmann film.
She addressed the attendees at a party celebrating the Elvis film on her father’s birthday in 2023, and said her dad would be proud of the movie.
What Is Lisa Marie Presley's Net Worth
Lisa Marie Presley’s net worth was estimated to be $10 million before her tragic death in 2023. However, other sources claimed that she had a negative net worth of -$16 million due to debt, divorce, and overspending. She inherited her father’s estate, which was worth about $100 million, when she turned 25 in 1993. She sold 85 percent of it in 2004, but the deal turned out to be a mistake. She also made money from her own music career, which spanned over three decades.
Controversy And Activism Of Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley was involved in some controversies and activism throughout her life. Some of the examples are:
She faced criticism and speculation for her marriages to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage, both of whom were fans of her father. Some people accused her of using them for publicity or money, while others questioned the authenticity of their relationships.
She left the Church of Scientology in 2014, after being a member for most of her life. She said she was disillusioned by the church’s practices and policies, and that she felt betrayed and manipulated by them. She also claimed that the church tried to take over her father’s estate and influence her career.
She supported various causes, such as literacy, health, hunger, and homelessness, through her non-profit organization, The Presley Charitable Foundation. She also donated to other charities, such as Save the Children, Habitat for Humanity, and The Dream Factory. She was an advocate for children’s rights and spoke out against child abuse and exploitation.
She protested against South Korea’s dog meat trade in 2018, along with her mother Priscilla and other celebrities. She held a dead dog in front of the consulate of South Korea in Los Angeles, to raise awareness and demand action from the government. She said she was appalled by the cruelty and suffering of the dogs, and that she wanted to end the practice.
These are some of the examples of Lisa Marie Presley’s controversy and activism. She was a passionate and outspoken person, who had her own opinions and beliefs. She was not afraid to stand up for what she thought was right, even if it meant going against the norm or facing backlash.
She was also a compassionate and generous person, who cared about the welfare of others, especially the less fortunate and the vulnerable. She used her fame and fortune to make a positive difference in the world.
Conclusion
Lisa Marie Presley was a remarkable woman who lived a life full of highs and lows. She was the daughter of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, but she also carved her own path as a musician, philanthropist, and mother. She faced many challenges and tragedies, but she also had many achievements and joys.
She left behind a legacy of music, charity, and family, and influenced many people with her courage, honesty, and talent. She was a unique and unforgettable person, who will always be remembered and missed by her fans and loved ones.
