Riley Keough, daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley and granddaughter of the legendary Elvis Presley,
recently opened up about her experience growing up during her mother’s brief marriage to Michael Jackson.
In a revealing conversation on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast,
Keough shared her perspective on the controversial allegations against Jackson during their marriage,
offering insight into her thoughts as a young child during that time.
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson were married from 1994 to 1996, a high-profile union that garnered intense media attention.
During the 90s and early 2000s, the King of Pop faced multiple allegations of child sexual abuse. However, in 2005, Jackson was acquitted of all 14 charges in a highly publicized trial. Despite the media frenzy surrounding Jackson’s legal battles, Keough revealed that she was unaware of the allegations at the time. She was only around 10 years old when these claims surfaced, and, according to her, her family shielded her from the details.
“I was never told anything. It’s actually not something I ever asked as an adult,” Keough said. “I think it just was what it was. I don’t know, it just never came to mind, I guess.” Her candid admission speaks to the protective nature of her family, especially during a period of heightened scrutiny surrounding Jackson’s life.
Keough, now 35, went on to describe her upbringing as one of relative privacy, noting that both her mother and father, Danny Keough, worked hard to keep their personal lives from affecting their children. “We didn’t know anything. We didn’t know about any allegations. We didn’t know. We had no awareness of that,” she explained. This suggests that Lisa Marie and Danny Keough were dedicated to maintaining a sense of normalcy for their children, despite the tumultuous nature of their careers and personal lives.
Reflecting on her mother’s marriage to Jackson, Keough expressed her belief that, during their time together, they shared a genuine love. “The one thing I know is that they were in love and that their love for one another was genuine. I was there and I remember. Everything else, I don’t know, because I wasn’t there for [it],” she stated. Her recollection offers a more nuanced perspective of their marriage, countering the public narrative surrounding their relationship.
In addition to her thoughts on Jackson, Keough also shared reflections on her late mother’s life and their family dynamics. She described how, during her marriage to the pop star, Lisa Marie was exposed to a lifestyle far beyond anything she had previously known. “I think when she saw Michael’s life, there were things that he had that she didn’t have,” Keough recalled. “She didn’t have a plane at the time or things like that. She then was like, ‘Oh, I should have a plane, and I should have this and that.’”
While Lisa Marie’s marriage to Danny Keough was described as “simple,” Keough noted that her mother’s later experiences with Jackson led her to desire a different lifestyle, with more extravagance and luxury.
The *Under the Bridge* actress also addressed the challenges of growing up in the Presley family. She spoke candidly about how her own approach to parenting differs from her mother’s. Keough, now a mother herself to a young daughter, Tupelo, explained that she tries to create a balance for her child. “I want my kids to be able to find joy playing in the backyard and doing normal kids stuff and not need elephants and circus and all these things all the time,” she said, reflecting on her own childhood filled with larger-than-life experiences. Her emphasis on simplicity and the value of ordinary moments signals a shift in how she chooses to raise her family.
Riley Keough also touched on the topic of family tragedy, including the heartbreaking loss of her brother, Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020. She has previously spoken about what she perceives as a “family curse” following the series of untimely deaths in her family. She honored her mother’s legacy in her conversation, expressing admiration for Lisa Marie’s efforts to provide her children with unique and enriching experiences, despite the challenges they faced.
As the anniversary of Lisa Marie’s passing approaches, Keough’s candid reflections highlight the complexities of growing up in the public eye, surrounded by fame, scandals, and personal loss. In sharing her experiences, Riley continues to honor her mother’s memory while navigating her own path as a parent, actress, and public figure.
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