Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley, left behind a poignant memoir that exposes the profound impact of family tragedies on her life. Following her untimely death at the age of 54, she entrusted her daughter, Riley Keough, with the task of completing the memoir based on recorded tapes and shared memories. The book, titled From Here to the Great Unknown, was released recently, and Keough opened up about the emotional journey of bringing her mother’s story to life.
In an interview, Keough, a 35-year-old actress, reflected on the deeply personal nature of the memoir, acknowledging her mother’s protective feelings regarding the narrative. The memoir chronicles Lisa Marie’s life, marked by trauma, addiction, loss, and grief, beginning with the devastating day when her father passed away. Lisa Marie was just nine years old when Elvis died in August 1977, and she vividly recounts waking up to a sense of foreboding, ultimately discovering her father unresponsive on the bathroom floor.
Lisa Marie described herself as a “total daddy’s girl,” revealing how her father’s death shaped her future relationships, often gravitating towards “alpha types.” The memoir includes heart-wrenching details about the aftermath of Elvis’s death, including the open-casket viewing at Graceland, where Lisa Marie felt compelled to touch her father’s face and hold his hand, seeking solace in her grief.
Despite the passage of time, Lisa Marie’s grief remained palpable, as she shared her struggles with loss. She admitted to having nights where she would drink and listen to her father’s music, allowing the sorrow to wash over her. Keough noted that her mother never fully processed the trauma of losing Elvis, which lingered throughout her life.
Riley Keough also shared her own feelings about the impact of Elvis’s legacy on their family. As a child, she felt a sense of anger towards her famous grandfather, associating his songs with her mother’s pain. The memoir reveals that the family’s experiences were not limited to Elvis’s death; tragedy continued to haunt them.
The loss of Benjamin Keough, Lisa Marie’s second-eldest child, was another devastating blow. Benjamin, who struggled with addiction, tragically took his own life in 2020 at the age of 27. In the memoir, Keough writes about the profound bond between her mother and brother, describing him as the “love of mom’s life” and highlighting their deep soul connection. The grief that followed Benjamin’s death was so intense that his body was kept in the family home on dry ice for two months before burial, a decision that Keough believes allowed her mother to process her thoughts and emotions during a time of unimaginable sorrow.
Keough expressed her belief that the way death is handled in Western culture often lacks a proper grieving process. She noted that the quick removal of the deceased can leave families without the opportunity to say goodbye, contrasting this with other cultures where mourning practices allow for more time with the body. This insight adds another layer to the narrative of loss and healing present in the memoir.
Lisa Marie’s struggles with her health also feature prominently in the memoir. Her battles with addiction and the toll of her family’s tragedies were compounded by the pressures of living in the public eye. The memoir serves as a testament to her resilience and the complexities of navigating a life filled with both love and heartache.
As Riley Keough continues to process her mother’s legacy, she recognizes the importance of sharing these stories with the world. The memoir not only sheds light on Lisa Marie’s personal journey but also offers a glimpse into the profound effects of grief and loss that resonate with many families. The release of From Here to the Great Unknown stands as a tribute to Lisa Marie’s life, her struggles, and the enduring love she had for her family.
