What Happened To Benjamin Keough? Elvis Presley’s Grandson

benjamin keough

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Benjamin Keough, the grandson of Elvis Presley, had a likeness to the King, but he could never escape his legacy before taking his own life at the age of 27.

He was the grandson of Elvis Presley, raised in a life of wealth and privilege. With the rock star’s good looks inherited from his famous granddad, fame seemed destined for him.

However, the weight of expectations to match his grandfather’s extraordinary achievements became an overwhelming burden.

Tragically, this led to deep despair that culminated in his untimely demise in July 2020 at the tender age of 27.

There have only been a few specifics of that fateful night made public. Lisa Marie Presley, Benjamin Keough mother, is currently raising her living children in a largely private home. 

However, the tale of that tragic night and the circumstances leading up to it will undoubtedly throw a shadow over the family for many years to come.

Who was Benjamin Keough?

Keough was thought to have been a talented musician, just like his father and his well-known grandfather, Elvis Presley and his mother, who also recorded her music. 

According to All That’s Interesting, Universal reportedly made him a recording contract in 2009. 

The article does point out that he didn’t make any songs available to the general audience.

During a HuffPost interview, Lisa Marie Presley made a brief mention of Benjamin Keough. 

She acknowledged the remarkable resemblances between her son and Elvis and also answered the question of whether he sings.

Presley said, “He is currently acting independently. I’ll let him choose when he wants to leave and engage in his preferred activities.”

According to his friend Brandon Howard, he was a fantastic cook, a gifted musician, and a brilliant person. 

He was calm and extremely intelligent, far above his years. Howard told People that he had many sides to him.

Keough could be serious, providing advice, or incredibly crazy and wild, dancing and having a good time. He was a very devoted brother and person.

Benjamin Keough’s early life 

In Tampa, Florida, Benjamin Storm Presley Keough was born in 1992. Unlike his grandfather, who was born into a very poor family, he was raised in a wealthy family.

The sole inheritor of Elvis Presley’s $100 million inheritance following his passing was his mother, Elvis Presley’s only child. 

His father, Danny Keough, had a successful career as well as performing on tour with jazz great Chick Corea.

Up until their wedding in October 1988, his parents’ relationship was kept a closely guarded secret. 

Danielle Riley Keough, the couple’s first child, was born in 1989. The second child of the marriage is Benjamin.

In an interview, Lisa commented on Benjamin’s likeness to his grandfather: “Ben does look so much like Elvis.”

Keough was the quiet storm behind the stage at the Opry. When he arrived, everyone turned around and took a look. 

He was being seized by everyone for a picture because he was so strange. I get overwhelmed occasionally when I see him.

The tragic death of Benjamin Keough

The suicide of Keough occurred on July 12, 2020. In a statement issued in July 2020, Lisa Marie Presley’s agent, Roger Widynowski, said that she was “heartbroken” to learn of her son Keough’s terrible passing.

She is utterly distraught, inconsolable, and beyond devastated, but she is attempting to maintain strength for her oldest daughter Riley, and her twin children, both of whom are 11 years old. 

On July 12, 2020, Keough shot himself while attending a party for his brother-in-law Ben Smith-Peterson, and girlfriend Diana Pinto. 

According to neighbors, they heard someone yell “Don’t do it” before hearing a shotgun explosion.

Keough’s death was eventually determined to have been caused by placing a shotgun in his mouth and firing the trigger, contrary to an earlier story that claimed he was shot in the chest.

Elvis Presley’s grandson’s financial difficulties

Keough experienced some severe financial troubles in his latter years and witnessed his mother going through them. 

Since he was unable to aid his mother, he felt helpless. In 2018, Lisa Marie Presley filed a lawsuit against her financial advisor after he stole money from the multimillion-dollar Elvis Presley trust, leaving her with only $14,000 and a hefty debt.

Priscilla Presley, Benjamin’s grandmother, sold her Beverly Hills mansion, making an $8 million profit, to help her daughter pay off debts.

Keough alcohol and drug addiction

While his mother was on the verge of going through her fourth divorce, Keough was battling drug and alcohol addiction. 

He frequently used to attribute his upbringing and other problems to the Church of Scientology. The divisive church, he said, “messes you up.”

However, he was admitted to treatment, but the outcomes were not what was expected. 

Keough killed himself that fateful day while attending a combined party with his girlfriend, Diana Pinto and his brother-in-law Ben Smith-Peterson. 

In their initial report, police officers claimed that they shot Keough in the chest, but they later acknowledged that he died by placing a shotgun in his mouth and pressing the trigger.

It was noted in his autopsy report that he had used cocaine and alcohol before passing away.

Additionally, they believed he had already attempted suicide.

Elvis Presley’s grandson’s autopsy report

The autopsy report of Keough, included in The Legacy Of Elvis Presley’s Grandson, revealed the presence of cocaine and alcohol in his system, as well as a history of attempted suicide.

The sadness of my family was evident. According to Lisa Marie’s agent Roger Widynowski, “She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable, and beyond devastated, but trying to stay strong for her 11-year-old twins, and her oldest daughter Riley.”

Meanwhile, his well-known sister paid tribute to him by posting a picture with the caption, “Too sensitive for this harsh world.”

In the meantime, one of Keough’s pals called the tragedy “shocking news but it also isn’t a huge surprise as he had been struggling.”

A friend observed, “The sad reality is she lives her life these days in a thick, unhappy fog. It will get much worse because she adored Benjamin, who passed away.”

Keough was interred with his grandfather at the Graceland Meditation Garden.

The grandson of Elvis Presley struggled with depression despite having a fortunate upbringing; it would last for the remainder of his brief life. 

Ultimately, no amount of wealth, notoriety, or ancestry could deliver him from his demons.

Why did Lisa Marie Presley blame herself for the death of her son?

Lisa Marie Presley shared her thoughts with People before tragically passing away, offering followers a peek into her thoughts. 

In that, she expressed her emotions following the death of her son Benjamin, who was just 27 years old, in commemoration of National Grief Awareness Day.

Presley said, “Today is ‘National grieving Awareness Day,’ and as I have been living in the horrible reality of its merciless clutches since the murder of my son two years ago, I thought I would give a few things to be aware of in reference to grieving.

She later remarked on how diverse people are affected by bereavement. She still found it difficult, particularly if “the loss was premature, unnatural, or tragic, you will sort of become a pariah.

” You can feel stigmatized and even judged in some manner for the awful loss that occurred. If you are the parent of a deceased child, this attracts a million times more attention,  irrespective of their age, and irrespective of the situation”.

She proceeded to explain that coping with the loss of her son, alongside the scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye, does not justify making certain aspects of her life a matter of debate.
 “I already battle with and beat myself up endlessly and chronically, blaming myself every single day, and that’s hard enough to live with now,” she said.