After the passing of Elvis Presley’s only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, questions were raised about who would become the beneficiary of his estate. Elvis Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, and his eldest granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, could potentially both inherit the rock music icon’s estate. On Tuesday, a settlement was finally reached, deciding the fate of the estate. However, the details of the case and settlement remained sealed for the time being.
Fox News: Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter, Riley Keough, reach settlement over estate
By Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright; May 16, 2023
Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough have reached a settlement with regard to Lisa Marie Presley’s estate.
“My family has resolved all confusion as it relates to our plea to the court and request for document interpretation after my daughter Lisa Marie’s untimely passing,” Priscilla’s representatives told Fox News Digital in a statement.
“Although the media identified such a plea as a lawsuit, I want to make clear that there was never any lawsuit filed against my beloved granddaughter. As a family, we are pleased that we resolved this together.”
Keough, 33, was named as the beneficiary of the estate following the death of her mother, Lisa Marie, on Jan. 12.
Priscilla added, “My family and I hope that everyone will grant us the privacy we have needed to properly grieve Lisa Marie and spend personal time together. We love and appreciate all of you and the Presley family is stronger than ever.”
Priscilla, 77, had challenged an amendment allegedly made by Lisa Marie in 2016 that replaced her business manager and mother as beneficiaries with her oldest children, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Lisa Marie’s son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide in 2020 – making Riley the sole beneficiary.
Details about the document were not disclosed in court Tuesday and neither were the terms of the settlement, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Lawyers have requested that the settlement be sealed.
Elvis and Priscilla’s only child died in January at the age of 54.
Lisa Marie also has a half brother, Navarone Garibaldi, from Priscilla’s 20-year relationship with Marco Garibaldi.
Her cause of death was deferred by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner and has not yet been determined.
“After an autopsy, a cause of death has not been determined, and the medical examiner is requesting more investigation into the death, including additional studies,” spokesperson Sarah Ardalani told Fox News Digital shortly after Lisa Marie’s death.
“Once the tests/studies come back, the doctor evaluates the case again and makes the cause of death determination.”
In addition to her daughter, Riley, Lisa Marie is survived by twins Harper and Finley.
The twins’ father, Michael Lockwood, was recently named their official guardian. Lisa Marie and Michael were married for 11 years before their divorce was finalized in 2021.
“Everyone is happy,” said Priscilla’s attorney, Ronson J. Shamoun, according to the L.A. Times. The family is “unified and happy for the future.”
Lisa Marie was buried next to her son and her famous father at Graceland – the family estate in Memphis, Tennessee.
During her public memorial service, Keough revealed that she secretly welcomed a baby girl.
Her husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, read a letter from the “Daisy Jones & The Six” star to her late mother.
“Thank you for showing me love is the only thing that matters in this life,” he read.” I hope I can love my daughter the way you loved me, the way you loved my brother and my sisters.”
“Thank you for giving me strength, my heart, my empathy, my courage, my sense of humor, my manners, my temper, my wildness, my tenacity,” the letter continued. “I’m a product of your heart, my sisters are a product of your heart, my brother is a product of your heart.”