In a deeply personal revelation from her unpublished memoir, Lisa Marie Presley shared that she kept the body of her late son, Benjamin Keough, at home for two months after his death in 2020. Presley, who passed away in early 2023, explained that this was her way of giving herself “ample time to say goodbye,” a practice she had followed after the death of her father, Elvis Presley.
Benjamin, affectionately known as Ben, tragically died by suicide at the age of 27. Lisa Marie, devastated by the loss of her son, reportedly kept his body on dry ice in their home to process the grief. According to her daughter, Riley Keough, the decision was born from the same instinct Lisa Marie had when she spent time with Elvis’s body after his passing in 1977. Riley wrote, “She couldn’t let him go.”
Lisa Marie’s Grieving Process
A significant part of Lisa Marie’s grief for her son involved getting matching tattoos with Ben. The two shared a special bond, and the tattoo they got together helped her cope with the overwhelming sorrow after his death. The design of their tattoos was never publicly revealed, but Lisa Marie often spoke of the deep connection she felt through the ink.
The tragic death of Benjamin Keough left Lisa Marie emotionally shattered. In numerous interviews, she spoke about her struggles with grief and the enduring pain of losing her son. His death is believed to have weighed heavily on Lisa Marie’s own health in her final years.
The Presley Family’s Legacy
Lisa Marie Presley’s passing in January 2023 due to cardiac arrest was another blow to the famous Presley family. The daughter of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, she had already endured immense heartache with Benjamin’s loss. Her memoir, though yet to be published, offers a rare glimpse into her intimate struggles with grief and family loss.
Both Benjamin and Lisa Marie Presley are now buried at Graceland, alongside Elvis, preserving their family’s legacy and memory.