Elvis Presley's grandson: Everything you need to know about Benjamin Keough
Lisa Marie Presley is "completely heartbroken" following the death of her 27-year-old son Benjamin Keough on Sunday.
TMZ reports Elvis Presley's grandson took his own life. They shared a statement from Lisa's manager, Roger Widynowsk, which read, "She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11 year old twins and her oldest daughter Riley.
"She adored that boy. He was the love of her life."
The son of musician Danny Keough, Benjamin has three sisters, Riley Keough, 31, and twins Finley and Harper Lockwood, 11.
Family Life
Benjamin was born in 1992 with his parents divorcing in 1994. Only 20 days later, Lisa Marie married Michael Jackson in what is likely the strangest unions in entertainment history.
At the time, Michael was facing allegations of child sexual abuse and it was later revealed that Lisa Marie, along with Benjamin and Riley, rarely stayed at the same house as the musician.
Michael's former maid Adrian McManus told The Sun, "On the few times she did stay in the main house, she would stay in The Rose Room. That room was way in the front of the mansion overlooking the flowers, while Michael's quarters were at the downstairs of the rear of the mansion.
"They could not be further apart. I can't even recall Michael ever going to The Rose Room."
In an interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2010, Lisa addressed questions on whether she witnessed any inappropriate behaviour between Michael and young children.
“The answer is absolutely not, in any way. I did not see anything like that,” Lisa replied.
Michael Jackson died in June 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Neverland Ranch.
Two years later, when Benjamin was four, Lisa Marie filed for divorce from Michael Jackson and later married Nicolas Cage in 2002.
Benjamin would have another step-father in guitarist Michael Lockwood after Nicolas Cage divorced Lisa Marie just 108 days after their wedding.
During their marriage, Lisa Marie gave Benjamin and Riley two half-sisters, twins Harper and Finley.
Striking Resemblance to Grandfather Elvis Presley
While we don't know a lot about Benjamin, one thing we do know is that he shared a striking resemblance to Elvis Presley, with his mother telling CMT in 2012, "He does [look so much like Elvis]!”
"He was at the Opry and was the quiet storm behind the stage. Everybody turned around and looked when he was over there. Everybody was grabbing him for a photo because it is just uncanny."
Elvis’s daughter also admitted she’s “overwhelmed” at times at how much they look alike. As for whether Ben inherited his father’s musical skills, she has been cagey on behalf of her son.
“He’s doing his own thing right now,” she told Huffington Post in 2013. “I’m going to let him decide when he wants to go out and do what he wants to do.”
It was rumoured that Benjamin scored himself a $5 million record deal with Universal Records to record up to five albums back in 2009, however, this was later denied by reps for Universal.
Lisa Marie wrote a song inspired by Benjamin in 2012 called 'Storm and Grace', in the song she talks about how her son, 19 at the time, was growing up too fast. Storm was Benjamin's middle name.
The lyrics include, "Stop moving so fast there, and then take your foot off the gas. My heart can’t seem to take it, your storm and your grace."
"You have the most beautiful heart that I’ve ever known. It kills me you can’t ever show it and a shell has been grown."
Benjamin also appeared in the film clip for Lisa Marie's duet with her father on the song 'I Love You Because'.
Final Family Photo
Lisa Marie shared her final family photo with Benjamin and her three daughters to Instagram in June 2019. The caption read, "Mama Lion with cubs."
The post has since been inundated with fans sharing their condolences.
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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