Riley Keough’s Rise Beyond Her Grandfather Elvis Presley’s Legacy
Riley Keough has established herself as a notable figure in her own right, transcending her identity as Elvis Presley’s granddaughter. Her accomplishments as a self-made star become even more remarkable when you consider the enduring legacy of Elvis, both before and after his passing. While the 34-year-old has made a name for herself as a model and actress, she did not inherit the musical talent that is so prominent in her family.
Riley’s life has been marked by excitement and instability, largely due to her mother, Lisa Marie Presley’s, numerous marriages. Her parents, Lisa Marie and Danny Keough, divorced when she was just five years old, setting the stage for a turbulent childhood.
Despite not completing high school, the actress from “Mad Max: Fury Road” has expressed her desire to do so in the future. Riley has revealed that while her father Danny expressed concern about her education, her mother Lisa Marie believed in nurturing her artistic interests, which she ultimately pursued. Despite the instability of her childhood, Riley looks back on it as a cherished and formative period in her life.
The new mother, who has experienced the best of both worlds with her parents, shared a unique perspective on her upbringing. Gina Gammell, a close friend of the actress, told Vanity Fair about Riley’s life with both Danny and Lisa Marie, saying, “He’s someone who had limited financial means, and she had a wonderfully ordinary life with him, as well as extraordinary experiences during her time with her mom. That’s why she feels at ease in any environment.”
Riley and Lisa Marie shared an exceptionally close bond during Lisa Marie’s lifetime. It was at Lisa Marie’s funeral that Riley, alongside her husband Ben Smith-Petersen, publicly announced the arrival of her first child. However, Riley kept her daughter’s name a well-guarded secret for several months until she revealed it in an interview with Vanity Fair published on August 8, 2023.
After Lisa Marie’s passing on January 12, 2023, Riley assumed numerous responsibilities, which included overseeing Graceland and caring for her younger half-sisters, Finley and Harper Lockwood. Lisa Marie shared these siblings with musician Michael Lockwood.
Tragically, Lisa Marie’s death marked the second profound experience of grief for Riley. In 2020, her younger brother, Benjamin Keough, passed away and was laid to rest at Graceland, the iconic estate where Elvis Presley and his family are also interred. Lisa Marie was subsequently buried there, further associating Graceland with pain and loss for Riley.
However, Graceland took on a new significance following Lisa Marie’s passing. The actress from “Daisy Jones & The Six” found herself entangled in a legal dispute with her grandmother, Priscilla Presley, over the estate. The matter was eventually resolved on August 4, 2023, by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Riley was designated as the sole trustee and would oversee the sub-trusts of her 14-year-old half-sisters.
In contrast, Priscilla, aged 78, was appointed as a special adviser and would receive monthly payments for her role within the trust. She would also have the option to be laid to rest beside Elvis, Lisa Marie, and Benjamin if she so chose.
Despite the complexities of the situation, Riley harbors no ill feelings towards Priscilla. In her words to Vanity Fair, she expressed, “We are a family, but there’s also a significant business aspect to our family. So, I believe that clarity was necessary.” Riley also spoke warmly of Priscilla, stating, “She’s a remarkable woman who played a pivotal role in preserving my grandfather’s legacy and Graceland. It holds immense importance for her, as he was the love of her life. Any suggestion in the press to the contrary saddens me.”
During her interview with Vanity Fair, published on August 8, 2023, Riley unveiled her baby’s name for the first time. She proudly introduced her baby, named Tupelo Storm Smith-Peterson. Notably, Tupelo is a nod to Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Mississippi.
Riley humorously recounted, “It’s funny because we chose her name before the Elvis movie. I thought, ‘This is great because it’s not a widely recognized word or name within my family, unlike Memphis or something.’ Then, when the Elvis movie came out, it seemed like everyone was talking about Tupelo. I was like, ‘Oh, no.’ But it’s all good,” she reassured.
The middle name “Storm” is a heartfelt tribute to her late uncle, Benjamin Storm Keough.
Reflecting on her baby’s resemblance to her husband, Riley remarked, “She’s like someone literally shrunk my husband, and that’s our baby.” Riley and the Australian stuntman and actor, Smith-Petersen, first crossed paths in 2013 while working on “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
Recounting their initial encounter, she said, “I remember it so vividly; I just knew that we were going to have kids.” The actress, who opted for surrogacy due to her battle with Lyme disease, shared, “It was, in hindsight, very strange. I didn’t know how we’d get there, but we did.”
Regarding surrogacy, Riley expressed, “I think it’s an exceptionally admirable and selfless act that these women undertake to assist others. I am capable of carrying children, but given my physical challenges with autoimmune issues, it felt like the best choice.”
On the topic of motherhood, Riley affirmed, “This is the most important aspect of my life so far that I’ve genuinely aimed to ‘get right.’ I don’t believe you can ever be a perfect parent, but I aspire to be the best mother I can be for her.”
Were you aware that Riley Keough has recently become a mother to a daughter? We’d love to hear your thoughts on her baby’s name. Feel free to share this news with your friends, family, and fellow enthusiasts of the Presley family.
