Priscilla Presley is sharing insight a devastating moment.
The 80-year-old detailed the heartbreaking day that her and late ex-husband Elvis Presley‘s only daughter Lisa Marie Presley died in 2023 at age 54.
“It was the second saddest day of my life, other than losing Elvis,” Priscilla told People in an interview published Sept. 17. “It took a long time to come to terms with the fact that Lisa was gone.”
Lisa had been rushed to the hospital after her ex-husband Danny Keough—dad toRiley Keogh and the late Benjamin Keough—found her unresponsive at her home due to a small bowel obstruction that developed after a bariatric surgery she’d had years prior. Shortly after, Priscilla met him there and stayed “all day long.”
“Lisa really wasn’t breathing, so she was on the ventilator,” the matriarch remembered. “For hours we were there waiting, hoping and praying until the doctor came in and said, ‘Priscilla, I’m so sorry, she’s gone.'”
However, Priscilla said accepting that reality was difficult for the whole family, including Lisa’s kids Riley and twins Harper Lockwood and Finwood Lockwood, 16, who she shares with ex Michael Lockwood.
“We just couldn’t believe it—didn’t want to believe it,” Priscilla said. “It was hard on all of us, it still is.”
This isn’t the first time the Dallas actress has addressed her daughter’s passing. Last month, Priscilla slammed accusations that she removed Lisa Marie from life support against her wishes made in a lawsuit filed by her former business partners Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko.
The suit, obtained by NBC News at the time, alleged that she made the decision for her child as part of a plot to regain control of Elvis’s estate.
However, Priscilla denied all the allegations, calling the suit in an Aug. 14 statement to People “one of the most shameful, ridiculous, salacious, and meritless lawsuits I have seen in my practice.”
She added that the filing was “nothing more than a sad and vicious attempt to falsely tarnish the reputation of an eighty year old woman.”
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For more on Lisa Marie’s family over the years, keep reading.
Pride and Joy
Lisa Marie Presley posed with her daughters—Riley Keough and twins Harper and Finley Lockwood—and son Benjamin Keough in this June 2019 photo. The singer wrote on Instagram, “Mama Lion with cubs.”
Three Generations
Lisa Marie was joined by her daughters and mom Priscilla Presley at a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on June 21, 2022.
Source of Strength
Shortly after celebrating her 53rd birthday in February 2021, the singer posted a family photo with her girls alongside the caption: “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.”
Together Always
In 2013, the musician rang in Easter with her kids and mom.
Family Day
Lisa Marie took Riley and Benjamin to the Hollywood premiere of Lilo and Stitch on June 16, 2002. The trio were accompanied by Lisa Marie’s half-brother Navarone Garibaldi, who Priscilla shares with ex Marco Garibaldi.
Birthday Wish
The To Whom It May Concern artist was fêted by Finley and Harper on her 51st birthday in 2019. “Grateful to be happy, healthy and alive,” Lisa Marie captioned a mother-daughter snap from the celebration. “And grateful for all of you.”
Girls’ Night Out
Lisa Marie was accompanied by her daughters at Elle‘s 24th annual Women in Hollywood celebration on October 16, 2017.
Snuggly Selfie
“Love of my life,” Lisa Marie captioned a selfie with Benjamin on Oct. 14, 2015. “One of the contents of my heart.”
Fur-ever Friends
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa Marie shared that she and her twins were fostering puppies from a local shelter. “Exhausting but so rewarding,” she wrote on March 23, 2020. “Be well.
Quality Time
While celebrating Benjamin’s 21st birthday on Oct. 21, 2013, Lisa Marie snapped this mother-daughter selfie. She tweeted, “love it when were all together.”
Tiny Dancers
“Incredible night at the Nutcracker ballet w my fave people in the world,” Lisa Marie wrote in a December 2018 Instagram post. “Now it feels like Xmas.”
Bedtime Story
Lisa Marie shared a sweet moment with her twins backstage at a tribute concert for Elvis Presley on Aug. 17, 2012.
Presley Legacy
Lisa Marie and Riley unveiled a new Presley family exhibit at Graceland in August 2018. The “Lights Out” artist wrote on Instagram at the time, “Hope you all enjoy this little insight to my life.”
Matching Tattoos
The singer got matching tattoos with Benjamin as a Mother’s Day gift.
In July 2022, two years after her son’s death, Lisa Marie explained the meaning behind design. “It’s a Celtic eternity knot. Symbolizing that we will be connected eternally,” she wrote on Instagram. “We carefully picked it to represent our eternal love and our eternal bond.”
A Meal With Mom
Lisa Marie and her kids toasted with tea during a 2019 luncheon at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Easter Sunday
The family got together for an Easter Sunday celebration in 2015.
Rock ‘n Roll Royalty
Lisa Marie supported Riley’s movie The Runaways at a Hollywood premiere party on March 11, 2010.
Movie Night
Lisa Marie and Benjamin enjoyed a night out at the London premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 on November 11, 2010.
Glam Squad
In October 2018, Riley snapped a mirror selfie with her family at a backstage green room. Lisa Marie captioned the shot: “glamming it up with my loves for a special event!!!”
Rock On
Riley and Lisa Marie walk the red carpet at a launch party for Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone on April 27, 2012 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Celebrating Elvis
Lisa Marie was accompanied by her mom and her two oldest kids at a ceremony commemorating what would’ve been dad Elvis’ 75th birthday in 2010.
Making Memories
Lisa Marie and Benjamin were snapped hanging out with DJ Ashba in December 2012, with the matriarch calling it a “fun night.”
Feeling the Love
“Had such a lovely Birthday this evening with my Family [and] Friends!” Lisa Marie tweeted in February 2018. “Thank You everyone for all the LOVE and Birthday wishes!!”
