Riley Keough Opens Up About Her Mother’s Grief in Upcoming Oprah Special
In a heartfelt revelation, Riley Keough, the daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley, has shared intimate details about her mother’s private mourning for her father, Elvis Presley. This emotional insight comes as part of an upcoming special featuring Oprah Winfrey, titled An Oprah Special: The Presleys — Elvis, Lisa Marie and Riley, set to air on October 8 at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+.
A Daughter’s Perspective on Grief
Riley Keough, now 35, reflects on the profound impact of her father’s death on her mother. In a poignant clip from the special, she describes how Lisa Marie would often retreat to her room, enveloped in the sounds of Elvis’s music. “Yes, I would walk in her room and she had speakers — because this was back in the day — and she would be sitting on the floor crying and she’d listen to her dad’s music,” Keough recalls. This vivid imagery paints a picture of a woman grappling with her emotions, illustrating the depth of her sorrow.
Keough elaborates on the private nature of her mother’s grief, revealing that Lisa Marie would often listen to Elvis’s songs alone, sometimes while under the influence of alcohol. “It was a very private thing for her,” Keough explains, highlighting the isolation that often accompanies profound loss. “Her grief was very… I don’t think she knew how to process it,” she adds, emphasizing the complexity of emotions that Lisa Marie navigated throughout her life.
A Premonition of Loss
The interview delves deeper into Lisa Marie’s childhood, revealing a chilling premonition she had about her father’s death. On the morning of Elvis’s passing in August 1977, when Lisa Marie was just nine years old, she woke up with an unsettling feeling that something was wrong. This instinctive awareness adds a layer of tragedy to the narrative, showcasing the bond between father and daughter that transcended even the final moments of Elvis’s life.
Riley shares a poignant detail from her mother’s childhood — a letter written by young Lisa Marie expressing her hope that her father would not die. This letter serves as a haunting reminder of the fears that plagued Lisa Marie from a young age, fears that would ultimately become a reality.
The Chaos of Elvis’s Life
When Oprah Winfrey inquires about the atmosphere at home during Elvis’s life, Keough confirms that there was indeed a lot of chaos. This acknowledgment provides a glimpse into the complexities of the Presley household, where fame and fortune coexisted with personal struggles and turmoil. Keough’s reflections reveal how these dynamics shaped her mother’s life and her own experiences growing up in the shadow of such a legendary figure.
A Legacy of Love and Loss
The upcoming special coincides with the release of Lisa Marie’s posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, which Keough helped complete following her mother’s unexpected death in January 2023. The memoir, available on the same day as the interview, delves into Lisa Marie’s life, exploring her love for Elvis, her struggles after his death, her romantic relationships, motherhood, and the profound loss of her son, Benjamin, in 2020.
This dual release of the memoir and the Oprah special offers fans and followers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the life of Lisa Marie Presley, a woman who lived under the weight of her father’s legacy while navigating her own path through love and loss.
Conclusion
Riley Keough’s candid reflections on her mother’s grief provide a rare glimpse into the private struggles of the Presley family. As they prepare to share their story with the world, viewers can expect an emotional journey that highlights the enduring impact of Elvis’s legacy on his daughter and granddaughter. The upcoming Oprah Winfrey special promises to be a touching tribute to the complexities of love, loss, and the bonds that tie families together, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.