It's been a difficult year for Lisa Marie Presley. The successful singer-songwriter and only child of music legend Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu, has had to contend with many difficulties and setbacks over the course of her life. Losing her beloved father at the age of just 9 made for a difficult childhood, and she's had a very complicated love life, having gone through four difficult divorces. Losing her only son, Benjamin, to suicide in 2020 is another one of the terrible losses she has endured. Her most recent divorce, and the handling of her father's estate, have also left her over $16 million dollars in debt, adding significantly to her woes. Lisa is remaining strong, however, for her daughters and has remained busy during 2021 by spending quality time with those closest to her.
So what has the music star been up to over the last year? Read on to find out.
Updated on August 30, 2022: Lisa Marie Presley has been dedicating most of her time and attention to her children and attending to what comes up in her personal life. Since the release of Elvis in June of this year, Presley has posted on her social media letting everyone know her thoughts on the biopic. She assured fans that not only did Baz Luhrmann do an incredible job creating this "absolutely exquisite" movie, but Austin Butler "channeled and embodied my father’s heart and soul beautifully. In my humble opinion, his performance is unprecedented and FINALLY done accurately and respectfully."
6 Lisa Marie Presley Made Christmas Special By Returning To Graceland
Over the Christmas period, Lisa Marie returned to her father's Graceland estate to spend time with family and think back on childhood memories at the palatial Memphis home. Describing Christmas with Elvis, her mom Priscilla recalled how, “It was his favorite time of year. He was like a kid. He loved to pick out gifts. He would tell the jeweler to bring over pieces. He loved giving.”
The arrival of Lisa Marie only heightened the Christmas magic: “It was beautiful. You have a child celebrate X-mas with you, you want to shower them with gifts and that is what we did. The tree was filled with gifts for her.”
5 Her Divorce From Michael Lockwood Was Finalized
After five years of separation, Presley was finally granted her divorce from former husband Michael Lockwood after a difficult legal battle in May 2021. Presley, who shares twin girls Harper and Finley with the guitarist, filed for divorce in 2016 after allegedly discovering inappropriate images of children on her husband's computer. She took their children into protective custody, denying Lockwood access. Though the legal dissolution of the marriage has been finalized, there are still matters regarding the custody of the children and legal costs which must be worked over.
4 Lisa Marie Presley Was Spotted Heading For A COVID-19 Test
Lisa Marie has been keeping a very low profile for the last year as she mourns her late son Benjamin, 27, who died in 2020 - leaving the Presley family and the world reeling from the terrible loss. Lisa Marie has only been spotted on a few occasions in public since the tragedy, including last summer when she was papped entering a COVID-19 testing centre in the San Fernando Valley with a friend. Whether Presley had contracted the virus is unclear.
3 Lisa Marie Presley Has Been Spending Quality Time With Her Children
Lisa Marie has also been spending plenty of time with her children over the past year, and making time to get away from life's pressures. Riley Keough, her eldest daughter, shared pictures on Instagram of her mother and daughter posing together on the sands in Hawaii, along with Presley's 12-year-old twin daughters, Harper and Finley. "Mahalo big island for always holding my heart," wrote Riley.
2 Quiet Birthday Celebrations Took Place
In January 2021, Lisa Marie held some quiet birthday celebrations to mark her 52nd year. Together with her daughters, Presley shared some family time while enjoying a small dinner. Writing on Instagram alongside a sweet image of the family cuddled together, she said "Thank you for all of the overwhelming birthday wishes from everyone. Like everyday, I couldn’t have made it through without these three by my side."
1 Lisa Marie Presley Has Been Working Alongside Priscilla To Advise On The Elvis Biopic
While taking some time out from her own career, Lisa Marie has also been keeping an eye on the production of the biopic Elvis covering her father Elvis's personal life. The mother of four is reportedly concerned about which aspects of The King's life will be covered in the movie.
A source has said: “With today’s climate, Lisa Marie is concerned Luhrmnan will exploit that relationship, and there’ll be a huge backlash against her dad... Lisa Marie has been trying to have Priscilla really consider how much private information she gives, but it’s been a one-way conversation.”
Lisa Marie has reportedly been in talks with director Baz Luhrmann since 2019 to discuss the portrayal of her father onscreen. She told Us Weekly, “I have been involved with Baz. He has come to my home, and he has been emailing me... In fact, we’re going to be having another lunch at my home. He’s keeping me on top of everything. It’s been wonderful. He is a genius. I’m not getting involved with any kind of telling him what to do or how to do it or suggestions. No, no. I think this will be very stylized, very different.”