Lisa Marie Presley kept her son Benjamin’s body at home for two months after he passed away.

Lisa Marie Presley was so devastated by the loss of her son, Benjamin Keough, that she kept his body in her home for two months after he passed away. She even invited a tattoo artist to see him so she could get matching tattoos.

This is just one of many surprising details in Lisa Marie’s new memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, which was completed by her daughter, actress Riley Keough, after Lisa Marie passed away in January 2023.

Lisa Marie (left) next to her beloved son Ben, along with her third husband, Michael Lockwood, and a guest, at the London premiere of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” in November 2010.
Getty Images

In her book, Lisa Marie shared that she had to fight to stay alive for her other children, Riley and her twin daughters Harper and Finley, who are now 16. She didn’t say goodbye to Benjamin right away because she was torn between burying him in Hawaii or at Graceland, the Memphis estate where Elvis, her father, is buried.

Riley Keough shows off her “Ben” tattoo etched on her collarbone in honor of her late brother.
Instagram/ Riley Keough
Riley and Lisa Marie at the ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills on Oct. 16, 2017, in LA.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Lisa Marie kept the room at 55 degrees to preserve Benjamin’s body and got so used to caring for him and having him there.

Riley and Lisa Marie decided to honor Benjamin by getting tattoos like his. Benjamin had his sister’s name on his collarbone and his mom’s name on his hand. Riley had her brother’s name tattooed on her collarbone, and a tattoo artist was called to Lisa Marie’s home to add Benjamin’s name to her hand. When the artist asked if they had photos of Benjamin’s tattoos to match the font and placement, Lisa Marie said, “No, but I can show you.”

Lisa Marie was laid to rest next to son Ben at Graceland following her death in January 2023.
Getty Images

Riley writes: “Lisa Marie Presley had just asked this poor man to look at her dead son, who was right next to us in the guest house. I’ve had a very strange life, but this moment is one of the weirdest.”

Lisa Marie also knew it was strange. She said, “I think it would scare the heck out of anyone else to have their son there like that. But not me.”

Lisa Marie said she lost her “spark” after her son, seen here as a 10-year-old with his mom and sister Riley, took his own life in July 2020.
AFP via Getty Images

Soon after the tattoo day, Riley remembers that everyone felt like Benjamin wanted to be laid to rest.

Even Lisa Marie said she could feel him communicating with her, saying, “This is crazy, Mom, what are you doing? What the heck!”

The family held a funeral for Benjamin in Malibu, and New Age author Deepak Chopra led the ceremony. Riley said she had to keep her eyes closed the whole time because she was struggling to cope with everything.

Riley finished off her mother’s book after listening to hours of her tapes.
Getty Images

Benjamin was buried at Graceland, next to Elvis, and Lisa Marie would later be buried there too.

Riley writes a lot about her brother’s struggles with mental health and how he often went on drinking binges. She doesn’t believe he truly wanted to die.

After his death, she and her mom went through his phone, looking for answers.

As the only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie lived her life in the harsh spotlight.
Bettmann Archive
Lisa Marie is buried at her father’s estate, Graceland, alongside her dad and her son.
Redferns

Riley writes, “We found a text he sent to my mom a couple of weeks before he died that said, ‘I think something’s wrong with me mentally. I think I have a mental health issue.’ It’s heartbreaking to me that he only realized he might need help just two weeks before he took his own life.”

To Pick up a New Girl, My Widower Dad Told Her I Was His Housekeeper, Not His Daughter – I Taught Him a Harsh Lesson

Clara and her widowed Dad share a close bond, but his latest romantic move shakes things up. When her Dad calls her the housekeeper to impress his new girlfriend, Clara is left hurt and angry. Determined to teach her Dad a harsh lesson, Clara decides to show that this “house cleaner” knows how to tidy up more than just rooms.

The “mess” really started ten years ago when I was just seven.

A happy mom and daughter | Source: Pexels

A happy mom and daughter | Source: Pexels

After Mom passed away, it was just me and Dad in our big old house. I missed her every day, but I knew Dad needed me, so I tried to be strong.

I became pretty good at making simple meals like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Sometimes, I’d pour cereal and milk for breakfast or help Dad with the laundry by folding clothes and matching socks. I wanted to help him as much as I could.

A father and daughter cooking together | Source: Pexels

A father and daughter cooking together | Source: Pexels

The house felt emptier without Mom, and I knew Dad felt it, too.

But the loneliness also brought Dad and me together, and we became best friends. We would spend evenings talking about our day, watching movies, or just sitting on the porch.

A father playing with his daughter | Source: Pexels

A father playing with his daughter | Source: Pexels

I really loved those moments. They made me feel close to him like we were a team. He would tell me stories about Mom, and I’d share my school adventures with him. Those talks helped us both heal a little each day.

One day, I found Dad staring at his computer with a puzzled look. “What’s wrong, Dad?” I asked.

A man using his laptop | Source: Pexels

A man using his laptop | Source: Pexels

He sighed, “I’m trying to set up a profile on this dating site, Clara, but I have no idea what to write.”

I giggled. “Let me help you, Dad!” I said. I hopped onto his lap and looked at the screen. “Tell them you like fishing and reading.”

He laughed. “You think that’s a good idea?”

A girl and her dad using a laptop | Source: Freepik

A girl and her dad using a laptop | Source: Freepik

“Yeah! And say you’re a great cook,” I added with a grin, knowing he could only make spaghetti and scrambled eggs.

Dad took my advice, and it became our little game. He’d show me messages from women, and I’d help him reply. Sometimes, I’d make silly suggestions just to see him laugh. “Tell her you can cook a mean peanut butter sandwich,” I’d say, and we’d both crack up. It felt good to see him smile again.

Peanut butter and jam on bread slices | Source: Unsplash

Peanut butter and jam on bread slices | Source: Unsplash

Even though life without Mom was hard, Dad and I found ways to make it better. We leaned on each other and grew closer every day. Helping him navigate the dating world was just one of the ways I showed him I cared. I wanted him to be happy, and he wanted the same for me.

We were a team, and together, we could handle anything. But one night, that changed.

A happy father and daughter | Source: Freepik

A happy father and daughter | Source: Freepik

I had just come back from a fun night at my friend Emma’s house. As I walked into our living room, I was stunned to see Dad and a woman I didn’t recognize. They were snuggled up on the couch, and Dad was whispering something in her ear. I almost dropped my backpack in shock.

Dad’s face turned bright red when he saw me. He jumped up, looking like a deer caught in headlights. “Uh, Clara! Hi! Um, this is, uh…” He was stuttering so much that I almost felt sorry for him.

An elderly couple enjoying wine | Source: Pexels

An elderly couple enjoying wine | Source: Pexels

“Who is this, Daniel?” the woman asked, breaking the awkward silence.

In his nervousness, Dad blurted out, “This is Clara, my housekeeper… the maid!”

My eyes widened in surprise. Maid? Seriously, Dad? I felt a mix of shock and betrayal.

A shocked teen girl | Source: Midjourney

A shocked teen girl | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, is she?” the woman said with a big smile. “Great! Clara, today you have to clean up the bedroom. After our night there, it needs a good tidy-up!”

My jaw dropped to the floor. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Clean the bedroom after their night together?

I glanced at Dad, and he looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up.

“Da–I mean, Mr. Daniels, the bedroom?” I asked, trying to control my anger.

An angry teen | Source: Midjourney

An angry teen | Source: Midjourney

“Yes…” he sighed sadly. “That’s all for today.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Daniel,” I finally said, trying to keep a straight face.

I grabbed a nearby dust cloth and went upstairs, glaring at both of them. This wasn’t like Dad at all, and I couldn’t believe he introduced me as the house cleaner.

Entering the bedroom, I saw it was a complete mess.

A messy bedroom | Source: Freepik

A messy bedroom | Source: Freepik

Clothes were strewn everywhere, and the bed was unmade. The lingering scent of the woman’s perfume filled the air, making me wrinkle my nose. I didn’t want to clean the place, especially not after that awkward situation.

I sat there, thinking about what to do. I needed to teach Dad a lesson for putting me in such an awkward position.

A sad teen girl | Source: Midjourney

A sad teen girl | Source: Midjourney

If his new girlfriend didn’t like kids, she needed to know that I was a big part of Dad’s life. And if Dad was hiding me because of that, it wasn’t fair to either of us. Why would Dad be with someone who couldn’t accept me?

Then it hit me. I had to confront Dad in a way that would expose his dishonesty without making things worse. I needed to be smart about this. It had to be something he couldn’t wriggle out of.

An elderly couple at home | Source: Pexels

An elderly couple at home | Source: Pexels

I sat on the bed, the mess around me mirroring the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. Soon, an idea popped into my mind.

This “house cleaner” was about to clean up Dad’s mess in a way he’d never forget!

Walking back into the living room, I saw Dad and the woman chatting, completely unaware of what was coming.

An elderly couple chatting | Source: Pexels

An elderly couple chatting | Source: Pexels

With a mischievous glint in my eye, I said loudly, “It seems that your last night together was not as hot as the day before yesterday, Mr. Daniel! The day before yesterday, I had to clean up for three hours after your night! Oh, apologies for my language.”

The woman’s face turned bright red with anger. “I wasn’t here the day before yesterday! Who were you in the bedroom with the day before yesterday?” she shouted at Dad.

An angry woman yelling at her partner | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman yelling at her partner | Source: Midjourney

Dad’s eyes widened, and he looked like he was about to faint. “Clara, what are you talking about?” he stammered.

I feigned confusion, tilting my head. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you must be Jessica, right? Mr. Daniels wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing you are!”

The woman’s fury reached a boiling point. “I’m MARTHA!” she shouted, turning to Dad. “Who the hell is this Jessica?”

An angry woman yelling at a man | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman yelling at a man | Source: Midjourney

Dad opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water, unable to come up with a response. Martha’s face twisted in rage as she slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing through the room. She stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

I stood there, watching Dad rub his cheek. He finally looked at me, his expression a blend of anger and helplessness. “Clara, why did you do that?”

A sad man touching his cheek | Source: Midjourney

A sad man touching his cheek | Source: Midjourney

I crossed my arms, feeling a sense of satisfaction. “Because, Dad, you lied about me and put me in an awkward position. If you’re going to date, be honest about it. And don’t ever introduce me as your house cleaner again. So, Mr. Daniel, is there anything else I need to clean up?” I asked, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.

For a moment, Dad just stared at me, then he started to chuckle.

A man laughing | Source: Midjourney

A man laughing | Source: Midjourney

The chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh, and before long, we were both laughing so hard we could barely stand. The tension melted away, replaced by the familiar warmth of our bond.

“Really, Dad, you brought home a woman like her? She’s so annoying! And why did you lie about me?”

Dad shrugged, looking a bit sheepish. “She wasn’t very fond of kids. I guess that’s why I didn’t mention you.”

A sad elderly man | Source: Midjourney

A sad elderly man | Source: Midjourney

I rolled my eyes. “Dad, if someone doesn’t like kids, they’re not worth your time. You know that, right?”

“I know, Clara. I’m sorry for acting the way I did. I should’ve been honest with you and with her.”

I walked over and gave him a hug. “It’s okay, Dad. Just remember, we’re a team. No more secrets, okay?”

He hugged me back tightly. “No more secrets. I promise.”

A dad and daughter hugging | Source: Midjourney

A dad and daughter hugging | Source: Midjourney

We pulled apart, and I looked around the living room. “Now, about that cleaning…”

Dad laughed again, shaking his head. “I think we’ve had enough cleaning for one day. How about we order some pizza and watch a movie instead?”

I grinned. “That sounds perfect.”

What would you have done?

A pizza | Source: Pexels

A pizza | Source: Pexels

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