LAST UPDATE | 13 Jan 2023
LISA MARIE PRESLEY, US singer and only child of Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 54, her family has confirmed.
In a statement, the Presley family said they were “shocked and devastated” by the news, which was announced early this morning.
The US singer-songwriter was “rushed” for medical treatment earlier the same day, though no further details were made immediately available.
But a statement, shared with the PA news agency a short while later, read: “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie.
“They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”
It comes shortly after Presley attended the 80th annual Golden Globe awards on Tuesday, where actor Austin Butler took home the best actor award for his portrayal of her father.
Speaking at a pre-ceremony event, she said she had been “overwhelmed” by the film and the effect that it had.
“I’m very proud and I know that my father would be very proud… I’m overwhelmed with gratitude,” she said.
Singer Pink and actors Tom Hanks and John Travolta were among those paying tribute following the news of Presley’s death, describing her as “one of a kind” and “smart as a whip, sensitive, (and) talented”.
In an Instagram post on behalf of the couple, Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson said their hearts were “broken” following the “sudden and shocking passing of Lisa Marie Presley tonight”.
“Tom and I had spent some time with the family during the Elvis movie promotional tour. Lisa Marie was so honest and direct, vulnerable, in a state of anticipation about the movie,” she wrote.
“She spoke so eloquently about her father, what the movie meant to her, that it was a celebration of her dad. She had her gorgeous daughters Finley and Harper with her who made us all laugh.”
Wilson said Presley had been “gracious” enough to show her round Graceland – the mansion where her father lived in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Our hearts and our prayers go out to Riley, Harper, Finley , Danny and Priscilla,” she said.
Travolta said his “heart goes out” to Presley’s family following the news, writing: “Lisa baby girl, I’m so sorry.
“I’ll miss you but I know I’ll see you again. My love and heart goes out to Riley, Priscilla, Harper and Finley.”
US singer Pink said the world had “lost a gem” and praised Presley’s love of her children.
“Oh, this one hurts my heart. Lisa Marie, you were one of a kind,” she said in a post on Instagram.
The official account of the Golden Globe awards, where Presley made her final public appearance, said she had been “a very welcome presence” at Tuesday’s event.
We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Lisa Marie Presley. She was an extremely talented Singer/Songwriter and a very welcome presence at the Golden Globes this past Tuesday. May you rest in peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BL8q0cfUAk
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 13, 2023
“We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Lisa Marie Presley,” a statement read.
“She was an extremely talented Singer/Songwriter and a very welcome presence at the Golden Globes this past Tuesday. May you rest in peace.”
Lisa Thompson, who was Elvis’s partner following his divorce from Priscilla Presley, also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: “My heart is too heavy for words.”
Songwriter Diane Warren expressed her sorrow at the “horrible news”.
“Oh no. This is such horrible news,” she wrote.
“The entire world is sending love and prayers to Priscilla and Lisa Marie’s children right now. May it give you strength.”
Fans have begun arriving at Graceland, the mansion owned by her father in Memphis, Tennessee, to lay flowers and pay their respects.
Fans are starting to trickle in at Graceland tonight to pay their respects to Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley’s only child.
— Kayla Solomon (@KSolomonReports) January 13, 2023
The 54-year-old died this evening after being hospitalized earlier today. @FOX13Memphis pic.twitter.com/2Axwwbq8MV
Following in the footsteps of her father, Presley pursued a career in the music industry, releasing three albums; To Whom It May Concern in 2003, Now What in 2005, and Storm & Grace in 2012.
In 2018, she featured on a new record, titled Where No One Stands Alone, which was released to celebrate her father’s love of gospel music, and featured 14 original performances recorded by him.
The title track was a reimagined duet, in which Lisa Marie dueted with her father – who died at the age of 42 in 1977.
Days before her death, she visited Graceland, the mansion owned by her father in Memphis, Tennessee, to celebrate his birthday of 8 January.
Upon her father’s death, at the age of nine-years-old, she became the joint heir to his estate, with her grandfather, Vernon Presley, and her great-grandmother, Minnie Mae Hood Presley.
In 1993, when she turned 25 she took full control of the estate and formed The Elvis Presley Trust, to continue its successful management.
Last year, Presley penned an essay published by US publication People about “the horrific reality” of her grief following her son Benjamin Keough’s death by suicide in 2020.
“I’ve dealt with death, grief and loss since the age of 9 years old. I’ve had more than anyone’s fair share of it in my lifetime and somehow, I’ve made it this far,” she wrote in August.
The singer was married four times, first to musician Danny Keough, then singer Michael Jackson, actor Nicolas Cage, and music producer Michael Lockwood.
Additional reporting from Jane Moore
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