The music world and fans around the world are mourning the sudden loss of Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of Elvis Presley. On January 12th, the 54-year-old passed away after suffering cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California.
The news of her death was confirmed by her mother, Priscilla Presley, who said in a statement, “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. She was the most passionate, strong, and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.”
On the day of her death, Austin Butler, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Film for his portrayal of her father in Elvis, released a statement expressing his grief and condolences to Presley’s loved ones.
“My heart is completely shattered for Riley, Finley, Harper, and Priscilla at the tragic and unexpected loss of Lisa Marie,” Butler said. “I am eternally grateful for the time I was lucky enough to be near her bright light and will forever cherish the quiet moments we shared. Her warmth, her love and her authenticity will always be remembered.”
Presley’s death occurred just two days after she and her mother attended the Golden Globes ceremony to support Butler. The actor acknowledged Lisa Marie in his Globes acceptance speech, telling the star, “I love you forever.”
Just four days prior to her death, the rock n’ roll progeny celebrated her father’s 88th birthday at a ceremony on the front lawn of her childhood home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tenn. During the event, she told fans, “This year has been an incredible year. The movie is incredible. I’m very proud of it, and I hope you are too.”
Tom Hanks, who played Colonel Tom Parker in the Baz Lurhmann film, released a joint statement with his wife, Rita Wilson, saying, “Our hearts are broken with the sudden and shocking passing of Lisa Marie Presley tonight. Tom and I had spent some time with the family during the Elvis movie promotional tour. Lisa Marie was so honest and direct, vulnerable, in a state of anticipation about the movie. She spoke so eloquently about her father, what the movie meant to her, that it was a celebration of her dad.”
Lurhmann shared a photo of Butler and Presley on his Instagram and wrote, “Over the last year, the entire Elvis movie family and I have felt the privilege of Lisa Marie’s kind embrace. Her sudden, shocking loss has devastated people all around the world. I know her fans everywhere join me in sharing prayers of love and support with her mother, Priscilla, and her wonderful daughters Riley, Finley and Harper. Lisa Marie, we will miss your warmth, your smile, your love.”
Presley will be buried at Graceland. Her daughter Riley Keough’s rep confirmed to Yahoo Entertainment that the singer’s final resting place will be at her late father’s estate in Memphis, Tenn. The site is “next to her beloved son Ben,” who died in 2020.
