Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, died of a bowel obstruction, the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has said. The obstruction was a result of adhesions caused by weight-loss surgery she underwent several years ago. Presley, also a singer, died after being rushed to a California hospital on 12 January 2024. She was 54.
A Life in the Spotlight
Lisa Marie Presley was born on 1 February 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, as the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. She grew up in the shadow of her famous father, who died when she was nine years old. She inherited his estate, worth an estimated $100 million, and became the sole owner of Graceland, his iconic mansion.
Presley followed in her father’s footsteps as a musician and released three albums over the course of her career. Her debut album, To Whom It May Concern, came out in 2003 and reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart. Her second album, Now What, was released in 2005 and featured a duet with her father on the song Don’t Cry Daddy. Her third and final album, Storm & Grace, was released in 2012 and received positive reviews from critics.
Presley was also well-known for her four high-profile marriages, to musician Danny Keough, pop star Michael Jackson, actor Nicolas Cage, and guitarist Michael Lockwood. She had four children, two from her first marriage and two from her fourth. Her son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide in 2020, at the age of 27.
A Fatal Complication
According to the BBC, Presley died from complications from bariatric surgery, a type of weight-loss surgery, that she had several years ago. The surgery caused adhesions, or scar tissue, in her small intestine, which blocked the passage of food and fluids. This led to a condition called small bowel obstruction, which can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.
The medical examiner’s office ruled that Presley died of natural causes and said that the cardiac arrest that she suffered was caused by the small bowel obstruction. Dr Angelique Campen, an emergency room physician, told CBS that deaths from small bowel obstruction are rare and that patients usually experience significant pain and seek medical attention.
Presley was buried next to her son at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Her mother, Priscilla Presley, filed a legal challenge to her will, arguing that she was unaware of a 2016 amendment that had removed her as a trustee of Lisa Marie’s estate. The dispute was settled in May 2024, but the details were not made public.
A Lasting Legacy
Lisa Marie Presley was a singer, songwriter, and heir of Elvis Presley, one of the most influential figures in music history. She had a turbulent and tragic life, marked by fame, fortune, love, loss, and addiction. She was also a philanthropist, who supported various causes, such as children’s rights, animal welfare, and Scientology.
Presley was loved and admired by her fans and peers, who paid tribute to her after her death. Her daughter, Riley Keough, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying: “You were the best mother in the world. You gave me everything and more. I will miss you every day of my life.”
Presley’s cause of death was a sad end to a remarkable life, but her legacy lives on in her music, her children, and her father’s enduring fame. She was a true daughter of rock ‘n’ roll, and a unique American icon.
