You’ve seen the photos. Those piercing blue eyes, the heavy lids, and that unmistakable pout that once made the entire world scream. It wasn't just a coincidence. When people talk about Elvis Presley and grandson Benjamin Keough, the conversation usually starts with one thing: the face.
Honestly, it was eerie.
Lisa Marie Presley used to say it herself. She’d look at her son and get overwhelmed because it was like looking at a ghost. Ben didn't just have the Presley "look"; he carried the weight of a legend he never even met. Elvis died in 1977, and Benjamin wasn't born until 1992. Yet, the DNA was loud. It was defiant.
But behind those famous features was a young man trying to find a seat at a table that felt far too big for him.
The Face That Launched a Thousand Comparisons
Benjamin Storm Presley Keough was the second child of Lisa Marie and musician Danny Keough. Growing up as the grandson of the King of Rock and Roll isn't like growing up in a normal family. You don't just go to school; you carry a museum on your back.
People couldn't help themselves. Every time Ben stepped out in public—which wasn't often, because he was notoriously private—the tabloids went into a frenzy. "He's the spitting image!" they'd shout.
It’s true.
If you put a photo of 20-year-old Elvis next to 20-year-old Ben, the resemblance is startling. They had the same bone structure and the same "rebel without a cause" energy. But while Elvis used that energy to ignite a cultural revolution, Ben seemed to use it as a shield. He spent a lot of his life dodging the very spotlight that had defined his grandfather.
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Why the pressure was different for Ben
Riley Keough, Ben’s older sister, found her footing in acting and modeling. She carved out a path that felt distinct. But for Ben, who loved music, the comparison felt like a trap.
Think about it. How do you pick up a guitar when your grandfather is literally the most famous guitar-slinger in human history?
In 2009, rumors swirled that Ben had signed a massive $5 million record deal with Universal. The media was ready for "Elvis 2.0." But the music never came. Ben was a perfectionist, or maybe he was just scared. Wouldn't you be? When your "entry-level" expectation is Heartbreak Hotel, the silence is often safer.
The Quiet Life in a Loud Legacy
Benjamin stayed mostly out of the Hollywood circuit. While other celebrity kids were hitting the red carpet every Tuesday, Ben was hanging out with a tight-knit circle of friends. He traveled. He explored. He was, by all accounts, a deeply sensitive soul.
His friend Brandon Howard once mentioned that the pressure of the Presley name was a constant, invisible force. It wasn't just the fans; it was the internal struggle of living up to an image that was basically mythological.
Lisa Marie was fiercely protective of him. She called him "the love of her life." They were incredibly close—so close they even had matching tattoos on their feet (a Celtic eternity knot). She saw the struggle. She knew what it was like to be "the daughter of," and she knew it was even harder for him to be "the grandson of."
The Tragedy at Calabasas
On July 12, 2020, the world stopped for Presley fans. News broke that Benjamin Keough had died by suicide at his home in Calabasas, California. He was only 27.
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That number—27—is haunted in the music world. The "27 Club" is a grim list of legends lost too soon: Joplin, Hendrix, Cobain. Ben wasn't a world-famous rockstar, but he died with the same heavy heart that often plagues those in the shadow of greatness.
The grief was absolute.
Lisa Marie was reportedly "beyond devastated." She didn't just lose a son; she lost the person she felt was most like her. In her posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, Riley Keough describes the months following Ben's death as a period of "borrowed time" for their mother. Lisa Marie even kept Ben’s body in a climate-controlled room at her home for two months before his burial at Graceland. She couldn't let go.
Resting in the Meditation Garden
Benjamin was eventually laid to rest in the Meditation Garden at Graceland. He was the first person buried there since Elvis's grandmother, Minnie Mae, in 1980.
Today, he lies directly across from his grandfather.
When Lisa Marie passed away in January 2023, she was buried right next to him. In death, they are tucked away in that quiet corner of Memphis, finally free from the cameras and the comparisons.
What We Get Wrong About the Presley Inheritance
Most people think being a Presley means you’re born into a mountain of gold. But the reality of Elvis Presley and grandson Benjamin Keough's life was more about emotional weight than bank accounts.
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- The "Curse" Narrative: People love to talk about the "Presley Curse." It’s a lazy way to explain away the very human struggles of addiction and mental health that have touched the family.
- The Talent Expectation: Just because someone has the King's eyes doesn't mean they want his crown. Ben’s struggle wasn't a lack of talent; it was the lack of a space to be mediocre while he learned.
- The Lookalike Burden: Imagine seeing your dead grandfather's face every time you look in the mirror. It’s not a gift for everyone.
The Legacy Riley Keough Carries Now
With Ben and Lisa Marie gone, the mantle has fallen to Riley Keough. She is now the sole trustee of Graceland.
She has handled it with a grace that is honestly impressive. She’s keeping the estate in the family, fighting off fraudulent attempts to sell the property, and making sure her younger sisters (the twins, Harper and Finley) are protected.
But she also carries the memory of her "twin soul," Ben.
Every time she posts a throwback photo of them, the comments are filled with people pointing out how much Ben looked like Elvis. It never stops. Even now, he is remembered through the lens of a man he never knew.
Moving Forward: Lessons from a Heavy Crown
The story of Benjamin Keough is a reminder that legacy is a double-edged sword. We see the glitz, the jumpsuits, and the millions of records sold. We don't always see the kid in the bedroom wondering if he’s "enough" because he shares the DNA of an icon.
If you're following the Presley family today, here is how to truly honor Ben’s memory:
- Look beyond the resemblance: He was a person, not a clone.
- Acknowledge the mental health battle: Suicide doesn't care about your family tree. Ben’s struggle was real and separate from his fame.
- Support the survivors: Riley, Harper, and Finley are the future of this family. They deserve to be seen for who they are, not just who their grandfather was.
The next time you see a side-by-side photo of Elvis Presley and grandson Benjamin, take a second to realize that the resemblance was just the surface. Underneath was a young man who deserved a long life, a quiet life, and a chance to make his own music—or no music at all.
To learn more about the current state of the Presley estate and how Riley Keough is managing Graceland, you can visit the official Graceland archives or follow Riley’s updates on the family’s philanthropic efforts. Understanding the human side of this legend helps keep the true story alive, far beyond the tabloid headlines.
Actionable Next Steps
- Educate on Mental Health: If you or someone you know is struggling with the pressures of family expectations or depression, reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Visit Graceland with Context: When visiting the Meditation Garden, take a moment at Benjamin’s grave to recognize the weight of the legacy he carried.
- Read the Memoir: Pick up From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough for the most authentic, first-hand account of the family's internal life.