Lisa Marie Presley’s profound grief following the death of her son, Benjamin Keough, significantly impacted her life and ultimately contributed to her own passing. Her daughter, Riley Keough, candidly shared details of this heartbreaking period in a revealing Oprah interview, shedding light on the intense emotional turmoil experienced by the family. The interview, coupled with excerpts from Lisa Marie’s posthumous memoir, paints a vivid picture of a mother’s unwavering love and devastating loss.

The Unfathomable Loss of Benjamin Keough

The suicide of Benjamin Keough in 2020 left an immeasurable void in Lisa Marie Presley’s life. Riley Keough described her mother’s grief as overwhelming, stating that Lisa Marie openly acknowledged the possibility of dying of a broken heart. The depth of her sorrow manifested in unusual ways; she kept Benjamin’s coffin in her home for approximately two months after his death, seeking solace in his presence. This decision, while unconventional, highlights the intensity of her connection with her son and her inability to immediately accept his passing. The act of preserving Benjamin’s body allowed Lisa Marie to continue, in a way, their connection beyond the physical. It demonstrated that, even in the immediate aftermath of her death, the deep emotional wounds had not healed, rather they festered.

A Mother’s Tribute: A Tattoo as a Lasting Bond

During this extended mourning period, Lisa Marie’s need for connection with her son materialized in the form of a tattoo, a visible reminder of the profound bond they shared. She had a tattoo artist recreate a tattoo Benjamin had on his hand, meticulously matching the placement to mirroring the position exactly. This intimate act further underscores the depth of her grief and her desire to keep her son close to her in this profound manner. She insisted on replicating Benjamin’s tattoo, a visual testament to their connection, ensuring that its replication remained in keeping with its placement. She refused the use of photographs, and rather used the coffin as a reference.

The Echo of a Generational Cycle

Lisa Marie’s memoir revealed a striking parallel between her relationship with Benjamin and that of her father, Elvis Presley, and his mother, Gladys. She poignantly noted the similarities between Benjamin and Elvis, both physically and in personality, even expressing a sense of apprehension about the strength of their resemblance. This observation led her to reflect on a potential generational cycle of codependency and familial suffering which is not at all uncommon for many families with history of emotional and mental health difficulties, in fact a recurring and destructive theme. The parallel she draws between Gladys’s grief over Elvis and her own sorrow over Benjamin tragically underscores a cyclical pattern of immense emotional distress passed down within her family, a reality compounded by a generational dysfunction and cycle of grief.

A Painful Legacy: Understanding the Impact of Grief

Lisa Marie’s experience illustrates the devastating impact of sudden and unexpected loss, particularly when compounded by preexisting emotional vulnerabilities and family histories. While she kept her connection with Ben, the reality is it likely complicated and deepened her already existing complex trauma; it was this which contributed in large part to what became her overall and intense emotional burden and pain, this pain is, by nature, likely to continue for her family even further, continuing what Lisa Marie had witnessed in her own lineage, of a repetitive and seemingly endless pain. The tragedy and the response she had in honouring Ben’s death demonstrates a cyclical pain passed through the family generations, the legacy was clearly in the process of continuing into future generations before Lisa Marie’s death.

Navigating Grief and Seeking Help

Riley Keough’s interview not only offered a glimpse into Lisa Marie’s intensely personal journey of grief but also highlighted the crucial importance of seeking support during times of profound emotional distress. The interview served as a poignant reminder of the debilitating effect grief can have and stressed the essential need to recognize and respond accordingly to provide those needing it, immediate and critical mental health support services. While Lisa Marie’s coping mechanisms were deeply personal and rooted in her relationship with Benjamin, it is imperative to recognise that such reactions aren’t suitable for everyone, and a support system for dealing with the devastating impact that traumatic and unexpected loss has on others should be provided when required. While some find such ways of dealing with death comforting or meaningful, seeking out help and professional medical advice can mean the difference between finding suitable support to come to terms with grief and the lasting lasting damaging effects such as PTSD and other lasting mental health issues and symptoms that are, as it often proves to be, more common than most believe. The experience serves as an illustration of this impact; showing what kind of emotional pain and what can happen if not recognised, acted upon appropriately. The need for supportive mechanisms such as professional help and the help available via helplines is, often the most important aspect.

Resources and Support: Finding Help When Needed

For those struggling with grief, suicide, or other mental health challenges, seeking professional help is paramount. Several organisations provide vital support. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers immediate assistance, as does the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine. These and similar services act as sources of guidance, hope and provide access to vital resources including therapy and ongoing counselling. Their efforts contribute enormously in assisting those requiring support during times of critical need.

Takeaway Points:

• The death of Benjamin Keough had a devastating impact on Lisa Marie Presley’s life, contributing to her own untimely passing.
• Lisa Marie’s unconventional methods of coping with grief—keeping Benjamin’s coffin at home for a period and getting a commemorative tattoo—demonstrate the overwhelming intensity of her loss and close connection to her son.
• A recurring theme of profound grief and family dysfunction emerged through Riley’s account. The tragic parallel drawn to Lisa Marie’s childhood reinforced the recurring issue of suffering grief from generation to generation.
• Seeking help and access to mental health services, as the events showcase, are crucial for coping with devastating grief and other emotional challenges. Resources such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and NAMI HelpLine are valuable for individuals facing intense emotional turmoil.