Riley Keough Accused of Using Amended Will to Seize Control of Elvis’s Estate
After Lisa Marie’s death, Riley’s swift move to claim Graceland triggered strong objections from Priscilla Presley—deepening a painful rift in the Presley family.
It was supposed to be a time of mourning and remembrance. But in the wake of Lisa Marie Presley’s sudden death in January 2023, the Presley family has been engulfed in a bitter and highly public legal battle over the estate of Elvis Presley—centered around none other than Lisa Marie’s daughter, actress Riley Keough, and her grandmother, Priscilla Presley.
At the heart of the dispute is a controversial amendment to Lisa Marie’s will—one that Priscilla Presley claims she was unaware of until after her daughter’s passing. The amendment removed Priscilla as a co-trustee of Elvis Presley Enterprises and appointed Riley Keough as the sole trustee. Within weeks, Riley assumed full control of Graceland and the multimillion-dollar Elvis Presley estate.
Now, Priscilla is accusing her granddaughter of manipulating or benefiting from an invalid amendment—an accusation that has torn the once-close relationship between the two women apart.
A Legacy at Stake
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock & Roll, left behind more than just music—he left a legacy that included his iconic home, Graceland, and a vast estate valued in the tens of millions. After his death in 1977, Elvis’s only child, Lisa Marie, inherited his fortune, which later became managed through the Promenade Trust.
Upon Lisa Marie’s unexpected passing at age 54, legal documents surfaced showing Riley Keough, 33, as the sole beneficiary and executor of her mother’s estate—effectively sidelining Priscilla, who had long held power within the Presley brand and was once listed as co-trustee.
Priscilla claims the 2016 amendment that removed her was “never delivered” to her during Lisa Marie’s lifetime and features a questionable signature. In court filings, she questioned the legitimacy of the document and called for it to be invalidated.
Priscilla’s Legal Challenge
In February 2023, Priscilla Presley formally contested the amendment in a Los Angeles court, alleging procedural issues and expressing concern about being abruptly removed from a key role in the trust.
“The signature appears inconsistent with Lisa Marie’s usual handwriting,” her legal team argued. “Furthermore, no witnesses or notary were present—raising red flags about how and when the amendment was created.”
Supporters of Priscilla say she was merely fighting to uphold her daughter’s original wishes, while critics accused her of trying to regain control of a fortune that no longer belongs to her.
Riley’s Silent but Firm Response
In contrast to her grandmother’s vocal challenge, Riley Keough initially remained silent—publicly grieving her mother while privately assembling a legal team. Sources close to Riley said she was “heartbroken” by the accusation and saw it as a betrayal.
“Riley never asked for this,” one insider claimed. “She stepped into a role she didn’t seek but was legally and morally obligated to fulfill. The trust was amended years ago. Lisa Marie made that decision for a reason.”
The tension eventually escalated to the point where, according to reports, Riley and Priscilla were no longer speaking.
A Secret Settlement—and Lingering Scars
In May 2023, after months of speculation and legal wrangling, Priscilla and Riley reached a private settlement. While the terms were not initially made public, it was later confirmed that Priscilla would receive a reported $1 million lump sum, as well as an annual $100,000 salary from the trust for her role as special advisor.
Riley retained sole control over Graceland and all Elvis-related assets. Legally, the matter was resolved—but emotionally, it left a deep fracture.
“They’re being civil, but it’s not the same,” a family friend shared. “There’s a lot of hurt. Riley saw it as a personal attack, and Priscilla felt betrayed by the daughter she helped raise.”
Fans and Public Reactions
The Presley family feud quickly caught fire on social media and in the press, with fans of Elvis weighing in from both sides. Many defended Riley’s right to inherit what her mother designated, while others sympathized with Priscilla, who had been by Elvis’s side from the beginning and spent decades preserving his legacy.
“She kept Graceland alive when no one else could,” one fan commented on Instagram. “She deserves respect, not removal.”
Others pointed out that Lisa Marie had the legal right to change her will and that Riley was simply honoring her mother’s final wishes.
Graceland’s Future
With legal ownership secured, Riley has expressed her commitment to preserving Graceland as both a family treasure and a historic landmark. She has made few public appearances since the settlement but issued a statement through her representative:
“Graceland is not just a home. It’s a symbol of everything my grandfather stood for. I am honored to continue his legacy and protect what my mother loved so deeply.”
Meanwhile, Priscilla has taken a step back from public events but remains active in the Elvis community, appearing at select tribute occasions.
A Family Changed Forever
The Presley name has always carried weight, not just in music history but in the hearts of millions who idolize the family behind the fame. Now, that name is caught in the crossfire of inheritance, grief, and strained trust.
While the legal battle is over, the emotional fallout lingers. Whether Riley and Priscilla can truly reconcile remains uncertain. One thing, however, is clear: the King’s estate lives on—but the royal family behind it will never be the same.
