In January, Lisa Marie Presley, singer-songwriter and only child of Elvis Presley, died at the age of 54 after suffering cardiac arrest. The news shocked fans and was a heartbreaking loss for the family, especially her mother Priscilla.
In the weeks since Lisa Marie’s death, rumors have swirled of a growing rift in the family. It has been reported that Priscilla has been in a feud with her granddaughter, the actress Riley Keough, over the terms of the estate.
Recently, Priscilla Presley broke her silence on the alleged feud.
Reported feud over estate
Lisa Marie Presley died on January 12 at the age of 54, after suffering cardiac arrest. The news was confirmed by her mother Priscilla.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla Presley said in a statement. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”
Lisa Marie was Elvis’ only child and was the sole heir to his valuable estate — and shortly after her death, the family fought over some of the details of her will.
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In January, Priscilla contested her daughter’s will, challenging the validity of amendments made in 2016 that replaced her as a co-trustee with Lisa Marie’s eldest two children, Riley and Benjamin Keough.
Benjamin died by suicide in 2020, leaving Riley Keough the sole trustee of her mother’s estate. But according to court documents obtained by ET, Priscilla challenged the will in court, claiming “many issues surrounding the authenticity and validity” of the 2016 amendment.
“I would think that the primary reason why Priscilla would want to maintain control of this trust is really to protect the interests of the children,” entertainment lawyer Mitra Ahouraian told ET. “There is a 35 million dollar life insurance policy that would be to the benefit of the children, and that’s a lot of money that can easily go away very quickly if it’s not being managed properly.”
But others have said that Riley Keough should be the rightful inheritor of the estate, as it is accordance with Lisa Marie’s wishes and by extension Elvis’.
“We just want to think about what Lisa would’ve wanted and that’s what’s best for Elvis. She never had a doubt in her mind that that’s Riley,” Joel Weinshanker, a Managing Partner at Elvis Presley Enterprises, said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio. “There was never a question, and anybody who’s speaking differently isn’t looking out for Elvis, isn’t looking out for Lisa, certainly isn’t looking out for Riley.”
The fighting over the estate has caused a reported rift between Priscilla and Riley while both of them have been mourning Lisa Marie.
“Priscilla doesn’t want Riley solely in charge, because then she has no say,” an insider said, according to PerezHilton. “Meanwhile, Riley doesn’t want Priscilla to butt in. It’s a very sad situation. Riley is shocked Priscilla is contesting the amendment.”
“It’s upsetting to her as she does want to have a relationship with Priscilla, but at this point in time they are not close,” a source told ET.
Reports said that the two were not on speaking terms, and were only communicating through lawyers.
“Don’t believe what’s been said”
However, Priscilla has reportedly spoken up about the rumors, and says she is not feuding with Riley.
According to ET, Priscilla opened up at an audience Q&A after her An Evening to Remember With Priscilla Presley event in the UK. Attendee Jackie Howse met with Priscilla, who he said was “absolutely lovely” and gave them autographed books.
Priscilla also reportedly addressed the feud rumors, and said that she just had dinner with Riley, disputing reports that they were not on speaking terms.
Priscilla reportedly said that the rumors “weren’t true” and “Don’t believe what’s been said.” “Riley and I get along well,” she said.
She also reportedly got emotional while speaking about her granddaughter, expressing pride in her recent success on the Amazon Prime series Daisy Jones & the Six.
Navarone Garibaldi, Priscilla’s son and Lisa Marie’s half-brother, also recently said the two were getting along: “Yes they are fine. No feud,” he wrote on Instagram, according to The Sun. “We did go to dinner, it went great, it’s all good.”
It seems Riley and Priscilla may have been able to put aside any fighting over the will and make peace. We’re glad the family seems to be getting along during this difficult time.
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READ MORE:
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