Riley Keough: Family, Health, Career, and Graceland

Balancing a Hollywood career with the weight of a legendary family name is no small act, but Riley Keough has been doing it her whole life—first as Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, then as a rising actress, and now as the sole trustee of the Graceland estate. After her mother Lisa Marie Presley’s sudden death in January 2023, Keough inherited not just a Memphis landmark but also a legal dispute with her grandmother, all while managing a chronic autoimmune disease.

Full name: Danielle Riley Keough ·
Born: May 29, 1989 (age 35) ·
Occupation: Actress, model, producer ·
Children: 1 daughter (with Ben Smith-Petersen) ·
Net worth (estimated): $15–20 million ·
Notable role: Daisy Jones in ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’

Ten facts about Riley Keough, one pattern: every public data point ties back to her family legacy and the legal machinery around it.

How many children does Riley Keough have?

Riley Keough has one daughter, born in 2022, with her husband Ben Smith-Petersen. The couple has kept the child’s name private, a choice Keough explained in a Vanity Fair profile as wanting to protect her daughter from public scrutiny.

Who is Riley Keough’s husband?

• Ben Smith-Petersen, an Australian stuntman, married Keough in 2015 after meeting on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road.
• He has worked as a stunt double on films like The Great Gatsby and Thor: Ragnarok.
• The couple divides time between Los Angeles and a farm in California.

The pattern: Keough built her personal life away from the limelight, choosing a partner outside Hollywood and shielding her child from media attention.

How old is Riley Keough?

• Born May 29, 1989, Keough is 35 years old as of 2024.

She grew up in Los Angeles and Memphis, spending time at Graceland during her childhood.

How is Riley Keough related to Michael Jackson?

Michael Jackson was Riley Keough’s stepfather from 1994 to 1996. Her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, married the pop star in 1994, and the family lived together at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Keough has spoken in interviews about the surreal experience of sharing a home with one of the most famous people on the planet.

Was Michael Jackson Riley Keough’s stepfather?

• Yes. Lisa Marie Presley married Michael Jackson in May 1994 and divorced in 1996.
• Keough later recalled that Jackson was “a kind person” but the marriage created an unusual childhood.

The trade-off: the connection gave Keough a front-row seat to fame’s extremes, but she has largely avoided discussing Jackson in depth, preferring to focus on her own path.

How long did Lisa Marie Presley stay married to Michael Jackson?

• Two years. The marriage lasted from May 1994 to August 1996.
• Lisa Marie later said she entered the marriage feeling she could “save” Jackson, but the relationship unraveled under media pressure.

Why this matters: the brief marriage remains a footnote in Keough’s biography, but it underscores the extraordinary family dynamics she navigated as a child.

What illness does Riley Keough have?

Riley Keough has Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. She confirmed the diagnosis in a 2023 Vanity Fair interview, revealing she was diagnosed in her late teens. The condition affects her daily life and influenced her decision to use a surrogate for her daughter.

How does Riley Keough manage her lupus?

• She follows a strict medication regimen prescribed by her rheumatologist.
• She avoids UV exposure, wears sunscreen, and limits outdoor activities during peak sun hours.
• She prioritizes sleep and stress reduction to prevent flares.

Rescripted, a health platform, reported that autoimmune conditions like lupus can complicate pregnancy, which may explain Keough’s use of surrogacy.

What is lupus SLE?

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation, pain, and organ damage.
• It affects about 5 million people worldwide, with women of color at higher risk.
• There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed with immunosuppressants and lifestyle changes.

The pattern: Keough’s openness about her lupus adds a human dimension to a condition that is often invisible, and it highlights the extra burden carried by public figures who manage chronic illness.

How much did Priscilla get from Riley?

In 2023, Riley Keough agreed to pay Priscilla Presley $1.4 million to settle a legal dispute over Lisa Marie Presley’s trust. The settlement, reported by PEOPLE, included $1 million and an additional $400,000 in legal fees.

Why did Riley Keough pay Priscilla Presley $1.4 million?

• Priscilla challenged the 2016 amendment to Lisa Marie’s will that removed her as a trustee, arguing it was improperly executed.
• Keough’s legal team contended the amendment was valid.
• The settlement gave Keough sole trustee status while Priscilla received a lump sum and a monthly stipend as a special adviser.

The trade-off for Keough: buying out her grandmother’s claim allowed her to consolidate control of the estate, but it came at a reputational cost — public family disputes rarely paint anyone as the winner.

What was the legal dispute about?

• The core issue was whether Priscilla Presley should remain a trustee of Lisa Marie’s living trust.
• The 2016 amendment named Keough and her brother Benjamin as trustees after Lisa Marie’s death, bypassing Priscilla.
• Priscilla argued the amendment had a procedural flaw (witness signatures).

Biography.com noted that the settlement also made Priscilla the head of a separate trust for her son, Navarone Garibaldi, ensuring her ongoing financial ties to the estate.

Why did Riley inherit Graceland?

Riley Keough inherited Graceland because she became the sole surviving child of Lisa Marie Presley after her brother Benjamin’s death in 2020. Lisa Marie’s death in January 2023 triggered the estate succession that placed the famous Memphis property under Keough’s control.

Does Riley Keough own Graceland?

• Yes, she is the sole owner of Graceland through the trust that holds the property.
• However, Graceland cannot be sold because the trust contains restrictions that require it to operate as a museum and tourist attraction.
• In 2024, Keough successfully stopped a fraudulent foreclosure attempt on the property, with a Missouri woman later pleading guilty to attempted fraud (Reuters).

Why can’t Graceland be sold?

• Elvis Presley’s will placed Graceland in a trust with specific conditions: it must remain a museum open to the public.
• Lisa Marie Presley maintained that restriction, and Keough has stated publicly she intends to preserve the legacy.
• Graceland attracts over 600,000 visitors annually (Reuters), making it a significant revenue generator for the estate.

Why did Lisa Marie’s son pass away?

• Benjamin Keough died by suicide in July 2020 at age 27.
• Lisa Marie Presley spoke publicly about her grief after his death.
• His death made Riley the sole heir to her mother’s estate, including Graceland.

Timeline

• May 29, 1989 – Riley Keough born in Santa Monica, California.
• 1994–1996 – Lisa Marie marries Michael Jackson; Riley lives with him as a stepfather.
• 2015 – Marries Ben Smith-Petersen.
• 2020 – Brother Benjamin Keough dies by suicide.
• 2022 – Daughter born; film War Pony wins Caméra d’Or at Cannes.
• January 2023 – Lisa Marie Presley dies; Riley inherits Graceland (Reuters).
• 2023 – Legal dispute with Priscilla Presley settled for $1.4 million; Keough becomes sole trustee (PEOPLE).

Each milestone on this timeline carries a legal or personal consequence that reshaped Keough’s responsibilities and public role.

What people are saying

“It’s a lot of responsibility. I’m trying to honor my mother’s legacy.”

Riley Keough, on inheriting Graceland (Vanity Fair, 2023)

“I have to be very careful about sun exposure and stress.”

Riley Keough, describing life with lupus (Vanity Fair, 2023)

Priscilla Presley fought to be removed as trustee, stating concerns about estate management.

Legal filing cited by PEOPLE, 2023

Two different perspectives — Keough’s desire to preserve the family home and Priscilla’s legal challenge — illustrate the tension at the heart of the estate.

For Riley Keough, the choice is clear: she must balance the demands of a 600,000-visitor tourist attraction with her own health and career, or risk losing control of the very legacy she inherited. Graceland will remain open, but the personal cost of preserving it — legal battles, family conflict, and managing a chronic illness — is a story still being written.

For a deeper look into the legal battles and personal struggles surrounding the estate, read about Riley Keoughs inheritance and health.

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