Riley Keough, the daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley and granddaughter of Elvis Presley, comes from a family with a rich Hollywood legacy. Despite their fame, the family has faced numerous tragedies.
Lisa Marie Presley passed away at 54 on January 12, 2023, following a sudden cardiac arrest. Riley, along with her grandmother Priscilla Presley and twin siblings Finley and Harper, grieved this unexpected loss.
Priscilla confirmed her daughter’s passing, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us.” She described Lisa Marie as “the most passionate, strong, and loving woman I have ever known,” and requested privacy during this difficult time.
The family has endured other losses, including the death of Riley’s brother Benjamin at 27 in July 2020 due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as reported by TMZ.
In December 2025, Riley was mentioned in a lawsuit involving Priscilla’s former business associates, alleging that she donated her eggs to John Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston.
1. Deep Hollywood Roots
Riley’s mother, Lisa Marie, was the daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. Riley’s father, Danny Keough, is a musician. Riley’s family connections include Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage, who were briefly her stepfathers.
The family celebrated the 2022 release of the Elvis biopic starring Austin Butler. Riley expressed the joy of promoting the film with her family, calling it an emotional and special experience.
2. Inspired by Her Mother
Riley has often cited her mother as a major influence. In a 2022 interview with People, she described Lisa Marie as “a very strong, smart woman” and an inspiration.
Riley admired her mother’s independence, saying, “I was raised by somebody who did their own thing and didn’t really care what other people thought.” She found inspiration in women who defied norms.
3. Married Life
Riley has been married to Ben Smith-Petersen since 2015. Ben, an Australian stuntman, supported Riley during her family’s difficult times, including Lisa Marie’s passing.
The couple met on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road and got engaged in 2014. They married in Napa Valley in 2015, with Riley wearing a vintage-style gown by Delphine Manivet.
4. Acting Career
Riley debuted in the 2010 film The Runaways alongside Kristen Stewart. She appeared in Magic Mike and Mad Max films, and starred in The Girlfriend Experience, earning a Golden Globe nomination. Her role in American Honey also garnered an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
She explored horror with films like It Comes at Night and The Lodge, and appeared in Zola and Netflix’s The Devil All the Time.
5. Filmmaking Ventures
Riley made her directorial debut with War Pony in 2022, co-directed by Gina Gammell. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Caméra d’Or Award, depicting the lives of two young Oglala Lakota men.
