The Tragic Life And Shocking Legacy Of Benjamin Keough Presley: 5 Facts About Elvis's Only Grandson

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The legacy of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, continues to captivate the world, but no story within the family is as poignant and tragic as that of his only grandson, Benjamin Storm Presley Keough. As of late 2025, Benjamin Keough remains a central, albeit heartbreaking, figure in the Presley family narrative, having passed away in 2020. His life was marked by the immense pressure of his lineage, a rumored multi-million-dollar music career that never materialized, and a striking resemblance to his iconic grandfather. The most recent updates surrounding the Presley estate and his sister, Riley Keough, ensure that Benjamin's story is continually revisited, often with new, bizarre, and emotionally charged details emerging from the family’s private life.

The tragedy of his death by suicide at age 27, followed by the passing of his mother, Lisa Marie Presley, in early 2023, cemented his permanent place in the family's final resting place at Graceland. This article, updated for late 2025, delves into the full biography of Benjamin, the details of his short life, his connection to the "Presley Family Curse," and the latest, most shocking claims involving his name and the world of Hollywood royalty.

Benjamin Keough Presley: Full Biography and Profile

Benjamin Storm Presley Keough was the only son of Lisa Marie Presley and the grandson of Elvis Presley, instantly placing him under the glare of one of the world's most famous family names. His life, though largely private, was often discussed in the context of his legendary grandfather, a comparison that proved to be a heavy burden.

  • Full Name: Benjamin Storm Presley Keough
  • Born: October 21, 1992
  • Place of Birth: Tampa, Florida, U.S.
  • Died: July 12, 2020 (Age 27)
  • Place of Death: Calabasas, California, U.S.
  • Cause of Death: Suicide by self-inflicted intraoral shotgun wound
  • Parents: Lisa Marie Presley (Mother) and Danny Keough (Father)
  • Siblings: Riley Keough (Older Sister), Harper and Finley Lockwood (Half-Sisters)
  • Grandparents: Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley (Paternal), Janet Keough and Francis Keough (Maternal)
  • Occupation: Musician (Unreleased material)
  • Burial Place: Meditation Garden at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

The Burden of the King's Grandson: A $5 Million Music Deal and the Uncanny Resemblance

From a young age, Benjamin Keough was instantly recognizable due to his striking, almost identical, resemblance to his grandfather, Elvis Presley. This physical similarity was a constant source of media fascination and put immense pressure on Benjamin to follow in the King's musical footsteps. His mother, Lisa Marie Presley, frequently commented on the resemblance, noting how "spooky" it was and that people would stop him in the street because of it.

The Unreleased Universal Music Deal

The musical talent within the Presley family seemed to have passed directly to Benjamin. In 2009, when he was just 17 years old, he was reportedly offered a massive $5 million record deal with Universal Music. The deal was rumored to be for up to five albums, signaling a major investment in the potential of the King's only grandson.

Benjamin did begin recording his first album, with plans for its release to follow shortly after the deal. However, despite the excitement and the immense financial backing, the album was never released. The pressure of living up to the colossal legacy of Elvis Presley, coupled with the intense public scrutiny, is widely believed to have played a role in the deal's eventual collapse and Benjamin's retreat from the public eye. He ultimately lived a much more private life than his mother or sister, Riley Keough, the latter of whom successfully pursued an acting career.

The Tragic End and Final Resting Place at Graceland

On July 12, 2020, Benjamin Keough died by suicide at his home in Calabasas, California. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as a self-inflicted intraoral shotgun wound.

His death sent shockwaves through the Presley family, with his mother, Lisa Marie Presley, stating she was "completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated." The tragedy was compounded by the fact that Benjamin was her only son, and she had always been fiercely protective of him.

A Permanent Place in the Meditation Garden

Following his passing, Benjamin Keough was laid to rest at the Meditation Garden at Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home in Memphis, Tennessee. This was a significant event, as it marked the first burial on the property in 40 years. He was interred with his family, including his grandfather, Elvis Presley, his great-grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, and his great-grandfather, Vernon Presley.

The family's grief was tragically revisited just two and a half years later when Lisa Marie Presley passed away suddenly in January 2023. She was also buried at Graceland, interred next to her beloved son, Benjamin. Reports indicated that Benjamin's grave had to be slightly adjusted to accommodate his mother's burial, forever linking them in their final resting place and adding another layer of heartbreak to the family's history.

The Shocking 2024/2025 Lawsuit and Legacy Claims

In the years following Benjamin Keough's death, the Presley family has faced various public disputes, including the settlement of Lisa Marie’s will, which left his sister, Riley Keough, as the sole heir. However, one of the most bizarre and recent updates to emerge in late 2024 and 2025 involves Benjamin’s name and a strange lawsuit.

A lawsuit surfaced making "outrageous" claims that Riley Keough, Benjamin's sister, allegedly donated her eggs to John Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston, to conceive their youngest son, also named Benjamin. The suit suggested this would make John Travolta's son a great-grandson of Elvis Presley, tying the Keough name to yet another Hollywood legend in a highly unusual way.

Priscilla Presley and other family representatives have vehemently slammed these claims, calling them baseless, false, and "outrageous." While the lawsuit pertains to his sister, the use of the Keough name and the bizarre nature of the claim—which attempts to create a new, unexpected branch on the Elvis family tree—has brought Benjamin Keough's legacy back into the public discourse in a sensational manner, highlighting the relentless scrutiny the Presley family endures.

The Echo of the Presley 'Curse'

The tragic deaths of both Elvis Presley and his only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, at a relatively young age, coupled with Benjamin Keough's suicide, have led many to speak of a "Presley Family Curse." This theory suggests a dark fate follows the direct descendants of the King, a narrative that his sister, Riley Keough, has had to confront publicly.

Benjamin Keough’s short life and untimely death serve as a profound reminder of the immense pressures of celebrity lineage, mental health struggles, and the difficulty of forging an identity outside of a legendary shadow. He remains a symbol of the tragic cost of fame, forever a part of the Graceland story, resting beside the King he so closely resembled and the mother who loved him fiercely.

benjamin keough presley
benjamin keough presley

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