Ever felt like time just moves at a different speed for Hollywood royalty? One minute you’re seeing a young girl on a red carpet next to Lisa Marie Presley, and the next, she’s the poised matriarch of a legendary American estate. People are constantly asking how old is Riley Keough, and honestly, the answer usually surprises them because she’s packed about three lifetimes of experiences into her years.
She isn't just "Elvis’s granddaughter" anymore. She is a powerhouse.
As of early 2026, Riley Keough is 36 years old. Born on May 29, 1989, she’s officially deep into her thirties—a decade that has already seen her become a mother of two, an Emmy-nominated actress, and the sole trustee of Graceland. It’s a lot for anyone, let alone someone navigating the heavy shadows of the Presley name.
The Early Years: Growing Up Presley
Riley’s life started in Santa Monica, California. While the world saw her as a princess of rock and roll, her reality was way more nuanced. She grew up in what she calls "two different worlds." One week she was at Neverland Ranch with her then-stepdad Michael Jackson, and the next, she was living with her father, Danny Keough, in cabins and trailer parks.
He lived on mattresses on the floor. She loved it.
She’s often said that her father’s lifestyle gave her a sense of normalcy that the Presley side never could. By the time she was 15, she was already working. She wasn't just sitting around; she was modeling for Dolce & Gabbana. She was hungry to prove herself. This wasn't about the money—her net worth is now estimated at around $20 million—it was about carving out an identity that didn't rely on a "The King" jumpsuit.
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A Career Built on Grit, Not Just DNA
If you look at her filmography, she didn't take the easy route. She could have done cheesy rom-coms or big-budget superhero movies right out of the gate. Instead, she chose The Runaways. She chose Mad Max: Fury Road. She chose American Honey.
Most people really started paying attention when she starred in The Girlfriend Experience. That role earned her a Golden Globe nomination and proved she had the "chops." But let’s be real, the world truly fell in love with her in Daisy Jones & The Six. Seeing her on stage, singing her heart out, it was impossible not to see the family resemblance. Yet, she made Daisy her own. She wasn't imitating her grandfather; she was channeling her own brand of grit.
How Old is Riley Keough in 2026?
Time moves fast. Riley turns 37 this coming May.
It’s a significant age in the Presley family history. Her mother, Lisa Marie, was roughly this age when she was navigating some of her most public struggles. Riley, however, seems to have found a different kind of rhythm. She’s settled. She’s stable. She has been married to stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen since 2015. That’s over a decade of marriage—a lifetime by Hollywood standards.
They’ve built a quiet, private life. They have two kids now. Their daughter, Tupelo Storm—named after Elvis’s birthplace and her late brother Benjamin—was born via surrogate in 2022. Then, in early 2025, they quietly welcomed their second child.
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The Weight of the Legacy
Being the owner of Graceland isn't just about owning a big house. It’s a massive business responsibility. Since her mother’s passing in early 2023, Riley has had to step up in ways she probably never imagined at 34 or 35. She had to handle legal disputes with her grandmother, Priscilla Presley, which played out very publicly.
They’ve since settled, and Priscilla now serves as a special advisor. But Riley is the boss.
She also took on the gargantuan task of finishing her mother’s memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, which hit shelves in late 2024. Can you imagine? Listening to tapes of your mother’s voice for months, piecing together her life while grieving. She told Vanity Fair she would just "burst into tears" constantly during the process. That kind of emotional labor ages a person. It gives them a depth that you just don't see in your typical starlet.
Health and Longevity
Riley has been incredibly open about her health, too. She deals with Lyme disease, which is actually why she chose to use a surrogate for her children. It’s a chronic struggle that she manages while running a production company and starring in shows like Under the Bridge.
She doesn't complain. She just adapts.
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What’s Next for Riley?
Now that she’s 36, Keough is moving more into the "producer" chair. She’s interested in telling stories that are a bit "off-beat." She’s currently involved in several projects, including the film Jay Kelly.
She’s also focused on keeping her kids' lives "normal." No cameras in their faces. No red carpets for toddlers. She wants them to have the childhood she only half-had—one where they aren't defined by who their great-grandfather was before they even know how to tie their shoes.
Quick Reality Check on Riley’s Milestones:
- 1989: Born in Santa Monica.
- 2004: Runway debut at age 15.
- 2010: Film debut in The Runaways.
- 2015: Married Ben Smith-Petersen.
- 2022: Became a mom to Tupelo Storm.
- 2023: Named sole trustee of the Promenade Trust (Graceland).
- 2025: Welcomed baby number two.
- 2026: Currently 36, turning 37 in May.
If you’re looking to follow her journey more closely, the best thing to do is keep an eye on her production company, Felix Culpa. She’s moving behind the lens more and more, and that’s where her real legacy might actually lie. She is a storyteller at heart, whether she’s acting out a script or preserving her family’s complicated, beautiful history.
For those interested in the history she’s now protecting, visiting the official Graceland archives or reading her mother’s completed memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, offers the most authentic look into the world Riley Keough is now in charge of. It's a heavy crown, but she seems to be wearing it just fine.