Lisa Marie Presley’s tragic death on January 12 shocked the entertainment industry. After a heart attack, the singer died at 54 at a Los Angeles hospital.
According to witnesses, first responders arrived at the scene and found Lisa Marie unresponsive. However, after performing CPR, rescuers discovered a weak pulse. Sadly, even though Lisa Marie was rushed to the nearest hospital, it was too late to rescue her.
Lisa Marie was also survived by her mother, Priscilla Presley, and three children. “It is with a heavy heart that I must convey the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla stated. Lisa Marie was nine years old when her father, Elvis Presley, died of heart trouble in 1977. According to the New York Times, the 42-year-old rock and roll legend died due to heart arrhythmia.
Elvis and Priscilla had divorced four years before, but they remained close. Her ex-unexpected husband’s death left her upset and devastated. But no mother should ever have to endure the indescribable agony of losing a child.
But that’s precisely what Priscilla had to do on January 22nd, when Lisa Marie was laid to rest alongside her father and son at the Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee. Her somber statement was one of the many painful moments at Lisa Marie Presley’s burial.
Priscilla Presley delivered a eulogy for Lisa Marie Presley in front of a large crowd of friends, relatives, and passersby on January 22. Riley Keough, age 33, and the 14-year-old twins Harper and Finley Lockwood, also Lisa Marie’s children, listened as their soft-spoken mourning grandma read the poem “Old Soul,” which Harper had written in memory of her mother, according to the Detroit News.
“She had always planned on leaving shortly. As she grows older, she reveals a glimpse of her emerald eye. She afterward formed her own family.”
“She was well aware that time was ticking away. Some may say this is survivor’s guilt, yet her death was caused by a broken heart. I miss her affection, even though she is now where she belongs,” Priscilla continued. “Our hearts are ripped open. Lisa, we love you.” She continued before exiting the stage. The poem’s final line seems to reference Lisa Marie’s utter anguish after her son tragically passed away at age 27.
According to E! News, Benjamin Keough committed suicide in 2020. A representative said, “[Lisa Marie] is sad, inconsolable, and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong. That boy had her heart. She was in love with him, “ They concluded.
The oldest child of Lisa Marie Presley also created a heartbreaking tribute to her mother. Ben Smith Peterson, the actor’s husband, ascended the stage to read Riley Keough’s letter since she had wanted to deliver it herself but was too overtaken with emotion. Riley’s dedication stated, “Thank you for being my mother in this life.” “I will always be grateful. I appreciate you demonstrating that love is the only thing that matters in this life. I aspire to love my baby as you did for me.”
She continued by listing her fondest recollections of her mother’s company.
Riley wrote, “I remember you bathing me when I was a baby, then driving me in my car seat listening to Aretha Franklin. Taking me to Florida for ice cream after school.” She recalled how Lisa Marie sang Riley and her now-deceased younger brother, Benjamin Keough, lullabies at night to calm them and then cuddled up in bed with the kids until they fell asleep. She said she still treasured those precious and endearing times.
Riley and Lisa Marie had a special relationship because Riley was their firstborn. Following her passing, Riley posted a lovely vintage black-and-white picture of her as a little child holding flowers while Lisa Marie smiled widely and looked proudly at her daughter. She used a straightforward heart emoji as the photo’s caption.
Joel Weinshanker stated that Lisa Marie Presley did not want any sadness present during the ceremony. The film producer swore, “Lisa, we will strive to respect you and try to respect your requests.” There was, however, a 0% possibility of that occurring.
As she recalled her close friend and “sister,” Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was already fighting back the tears when she rose to speak. According to Us Weekly, Sarah told the crowd it was an honor to speak at the memorial and revealed that because of their strong friendship, she and Lisa Marie called each other “sissy.” During her speech, Sarah spoke to the UK’s recently departed Queen Elizabeth II. She said, “Sissy, this is for you with love.” “Grief is the price we pay for love. Thus, nothing [that] can be said can even begin to ease the pain and suffering of these moments, according to my late mother-in-law. How accurate she was, too.”
According to Page Six, Sarah insisted, “I think it’s time to stoke our flames within… to celebrate the wonderful Lisa Marie,” as she began her address. Later, she made mention of Lisa Marie’s son Benjamin Keough’s untimely passing. The mother of two stated, “We look to Lisa Marie [who] lost a son. “There are no words to describe mothers losing children.”
Standing in front of a massive poster of Lisa Marie Presley beaming with delight, Pastor Dwayne Hunt gave an intensely moving invocation at the singer’s burial service. Pastor Hunt led a stirring prayer with the assembled mourners about overcoming the “sorrow” and “darkness” of loss.
The priest said, “While her light has gone out, she leaves it to her mother and her children so that they might rise above the darkness of this loss.” “” Let them draw courage from the many people who have gathered today to share their grief with them. We are thankful for Lisa Marie’s magnificent gift even during this difficult time.” Pastor Hunt commended the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley for “her enthusiasm, her power, her brilliance, and her tenacity.” He pleaded with the crowd to “bring joy” into their hearts by thinking of Lisa Marie.
In the name of this place where we stand in Graceland, he said, “‘May we all feel your calm in our pain, your healing in our hurt, your light in our darkness,’ encourages us to be grateful for the grace that gives us strength even in our weakness. To make her tranquility last in our hearts, let unfathomable love abound in this space, Amen.
Given the history of the Presley family, it was not surprising that music played a significant and emotional role throughout the memorial service. Lisa Marie Presley had carved a career in the entertainment industry, just like her legendary father, Elvis Presley, had done. According to People, Lisa Marie “launched her music career in 2003 with a debut album.” In the ensuing decade, she followed it up by releasing two additional albums.
Several of Lisa Marie’s professional associates and partners paid tribute to her by giving moving and sincere performances at the memorial. According to Billboard, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins sang “To Sheila” while playing an acoustic guitar. Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, played the piano while singing “November Rain,” and Alanis Morissette sang “Rest.”
Deadline claims that there were also affecting and potent interludes between the contemporary pop and rock performances, including some traditional gospel music. “How Great Thou Art” was sung by The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, and “Amazing Grace,” which Elvis famously performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1971, was performed by Jason Clark and The Tennessee Mass Choir to round off the event. Everyone in the crowd was crying.
