Riley Keough Reflects ⁢on Lisa⁣ Marie⁤ Presley’s Final Years in Oprah ⁢Interview

Behind the‌ scenes at Graceland

Riley Keough, the granddaughter of‌ Elvis Presley, recently sat down with Oprah Winfrey ​at her family’s ​iconic estate, Graceland, ⁣for ‍a CBS special⁢ to discuss her new​ book, “From Here to the Great Unknown.” The book was completed after⁢ Lisa ‌Marie Presley began dictating her memoirs before her untimely⁤ death in 2022.⁤ In this emotional special, Keough shared insights into her mother’s final years and the profound impact of grief ​on her life.‌

Lisa Marie’s struggle with grief

One of the most talked-about revelations⁣ from the book and the special, “An Oprah Special:⁢ The Presleys — Elvis, Lisa Marie and Riley,” centers on ⁤Lisa Marie Presley’s overwhelming‌ grief following her son Ben’s‍ suicide in 2020. Keough recounted how her mother ⁤was unable to let go of⁣ Ben, keeping his body ⁣in the​ house for two months.​ This ​unconventional move was‍ more than just a ⁤coping⁤ mechanism; it was Lisa Marie’s attempt ⁣to process her grief in her unique ⁣way.

The⁢ grieving process

Riley Keough spoke candidly about her‍ mother’s grief, explaining that while it might sound “insane and absurd” on paper, it ⁤was a deeply personal and culturally informed response⁤ to loss. ⁢She compared her mother’s extended mourning process to​ rituals observed‌ in ‍non-Western⁤ societies.

“It‍ was‌ about two months, and everybody in the house was in the ⁤grieving process,” Keough explained. She detailed how Lisa ‌Marie had ‌planned to bury Ben either at Graceland or in Hawaii but kept him ⁣at home in ​the interim to feel his presence. This​ period was marked by profound ⁤sorrow but also by a sense of control and intimacy.

Tattoo tribute

One of the more surreal anecdotes⁤ from the special‍ involved a tattoo artist whom Lisa Marie ​enlisted to tattoo ⁤names ​on their hands to mirror‌ Ben’s⁤ tattoos. Keough described this ⁢as‍ one of the “most absurd moments,” yet it was handled ‌with a matter-of-factness​ that only bolstered the family’s sharing of grief.

“We stayed quiet because‍ it’s my mom and she⁣ does what⁤ she wants, but it was certainly one of the ⁢most ⁤unique experiences,”‌ Keough reflected, showing‌ both reverence and ⁢bemusement toward her mother’s​ actions.

Addiction and recovery

The new book also reveals a deeper look into⁣ Lisa⁢ Marie Presley’s⁢ history with addiction. Although she managed to avoid ⁢serious drug problems‍ after ‌her teenage years, ‌the birth⁤ of her twins at 40 ‌led ⁣to ‍a debilitating opiate addiction following a​ C-section. Despite completing rehab over a decade later, the combination of‍ ongoing ⁣grief and physical neglect created ‌an aura of worry for Keough.

“The last three weeks that she was alive, I felt increasingly‍ worried,” said Keough, noting the strange detachment and fatigue that⁣ marked their final interactions. She was adamant that it didn’t seem like her mother had relapsed into drug ​use but rather that she appeared ​utterly exhausted.

Finding a path forward

In her last months, however, Lisa Marie sought purpose through grief ‌work, ​hosting meetings at her home for parents‍ dealing with similar tragedies. Riley Keough reflected on these gatherings as ⁢a beacon of light in otherwise dark⁣ times. Lisa Marie even considered starting ⁣a podcast to share her journey and aid others in their own grieving‌ processes.

Love and reflection

On a lighter note, the‍ special also touched upon Lisa Marie’s marriage to⁤ Michael Jackson. Keough⁣ shared anecdotes that highlighted⁤ her mother’s intense love for Jackson, ⁣despite the eventual downfall of their ‌marriage.

“She‌ really was obsessed with him,” said Keough, recalling how her mother would get excited and prepared whenever Jackson visited.

These memories offered‌ a window into the depth of Lisa Marie’s emotional world and her capacity for ⁣passionate ​relationships.

Graceland artifacts and family connections

The special had​ its share of nostalgic⁢ moments, such as Oprah’s cheerful announcement upon arriving at Graceland and the playful ‌narrative of Lisa Marie ⁤driving ⁣recklessly around the estate as a teenager.

Keough also shared heartwarming stories about her‍ mother’s bond ⁤with ​her granddaughter,⁣ Tupelo, highlighting‌ Lisa‌ Marie’s natural instinct and love for babies.

“She truly was incredible with babies. If I can make my ​daughter feel even⁤ a fraction of the love my mom ​gave us, I will have succeeded,” Keough lovingly ⁢expressed.

Riley Keough’s interview with Oprah⁣ provided a multifaceted look at Lisa Marie Presley’s final years, ⁤blending raw emotional⁣ insights ‌with ​reflective anecdotes that painted a vivid portrait of a loving,‌ albeit profoundly ‍affected, individual. Did you ​enjoy this article? Share ​it ⁣on ⁣your social channels and let​ us know your thoughts!