Riley Keough: Children, Autoimmune Disease, and Heir to Graceland

Riley Keough was born into a spotlight she never asked for — granddaughter of Elvis Presley, daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, and now the sole heir to Graceland. Her life extends beyond inheritance: she’s a working actress, a mother of two, and someone navigating a chronic health condition.

Full name: Danielle Riley Keough ·
Born: May 29, 1989 (age 35) ·
Parents: Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough ·
Grandfather: Elvis Presley ·
Spouse: Ben Smith-Petersen ·
Children: 2 (1 daughter, 1 younger child) ·
Notable work: Daisy Jones & the Six, Zola

Eight key facts about Riley Keough, one pattern: her public identity is inseparable from both her family legacy and her own choices as an adult.

The table below maps her biographical arc from birth to current legal standing.

The implication: her public record reads as a single, continuous line from Graceland to Hollywood.

How many children does Riley Keough have?

Riley Keough and her husband Ben Smith-Petersen have two children. Their first child, a daughter named Tupelo Storm Smith-Petersen, was born via surrogate in August 2022, according to E! News. In 2025, the couple welcomed a second child, though the baby’s name and sex have not been publicly confirmed (E! News).

Who is the father of Riley Keough’s child?

Ben Smith-Petersen, an Australian stuntman, has been married to Keough since February 4, 2015 (IMDb Biography). The couple met on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road, where Smith-Petersen worked as a stunt performer and Keough played a role. They maintain a private family life away from Hollywood’s usual scrutiny.

What is the name and age of Riley Keough’s daughter?

Her daughter Tupelo Storm Smith-Petersen was born in August 2022 via surrogate, so as of mid-2025 she is approximately 2 to 3 years old (E! News). The name “Tupelo” references Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Riley Keough said, “I have Lyme disease,” in a 2023 Vanity Fair interview. She described it as “something that has affected my body in a big way.” — Vanity Fair

The catch: her health disclosure came at the same time she settled a legal fight over her mother’s estate — making 2023 a year of simultaneous public vulnerability and legal victory.

What autoimmune disease does Riley Keough have?

Riley Keough disclosed in 2023 that she has Lyme disease. The Los Angeles Times reported the condition as an autoimmune disorder, though Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can trigger autoimmune-like symptoms in some patients. Keough openly discussed the diagnosis in her Vanity Fair cover story (Vanity Fair).

How did Riley Keough discover her autoimmune condition?

Keough has not publicly detailed the moment of diagnosis. She told Vanity Fair she lives with the disease and manages its effects, without specifying the date or circumstances of discovery (Vanity Fair).

How does the disease affect her daily life?

Keough has said Lyme disease causes significant fatigue and bodily effects. She has not released a list of symptoms or treatment protocols, but the condition is referenced in her broader narrative of managing grief, parenthood, and career simultaneously.

Priscilla Presley said in a statement after the May 2023 settlement: “I was very emotional when the settlement was reached. My family is united again.” — People

Why is Riley Keough the only heir to Graceland?

Riley Keough became the sole heir of Graceland after her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, died in January 2023. A Los Angeles judge ruled in May 2023 that Keough was the rightful inheritor, settling a dispute with her grandmother Priscilla Presley (House Beautiful).

What happened to Lisa Marie Presley’s estate?

Lisa Marie Presley died on January 12, 2023, at age 54. She left behind a trust that named her daughter Riley as successor trustee. The trust controls the Elvis Presley Trust, which owns Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises.

How did Priscilla Presley challenge the trust?

Priscilla Presley filed a legal challenge in January 2023, questioning the validity of a 2016 amendment to Lisa Marie’s trust that removed her as a trustee. The two sides reached a settlement in May 2023, with the terms confidential (House Beautiful). The outcome left Keough as the sole controller of Graceland and its operations.

What is the ownership structure of Graceland?

Graceland is owned by the Elvis Presley Trust, which is managed by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Riley Keough now controls both entities. Her mother had established a living trust naming Keough as the sole heir – a structure that Priscilla Presley originally challenged and then settled.

The pattern: legal challenges within the Presley family are resolved privately, leaving Keough in complete control of the empire her grandfather built.

Is Riley Keough speaking to Priscilla Presley?

After the legal settlement in May 2023, both parties publicly stated they had reconciled. Priscilla Presley called the settlement “a positive resolution” and described the family as united (People). Keough has not provided extensive public commentary on their current relationship.

What was the legal dispute between Riley and Priscilla?

Priscilla Presley challenged a 2016 amendment to Lisa Marie’s trust that removed her as a co-trustee. The amendment also replaced her with Riley Keough as the sole trustee. The case was settled out of court in May 2023.

Have they reconciled since the settlement?

Public statements indicated a reconciliation. Priscilla Presley posted on social media about family unity after the settlement. Keough has not commented extensively on their private relationship since.

What happened to Riley Keough?

Since her mother’s death, Riley Keough has navigated grief, legal battles, motherhood, her health condition, and a rising acting career. She inherited Graceland, settled with her grandmother, completed the memoir From Here to the Great Unknown, and received an Emmy nomination for Daisy Jones & the Six.

How did Riley Keough cope with her mother’s death?

Keough completed the memoir From Here to the Great Unknown based on recordings her mother left behind. She told interviewers the project helped her process grief. The book was published posthumously for Lisa Marie Presley in October 2024 (From Here to the Great Unknown).

What is the “Presley family curse” she mentioned?

In a 2024 interview with People, Keough reflected on the idea of a “Presley family curse” — a term used to describe the series of early deaths and struggles in the family, including Elvis Presley’s death at 42 and Lisa Marie’s death at 54. She acknowledged the weight of the legacy but did not endorse the notion of a literal curse.

What is her latest project or memoir?

Keough co-authored From Here to the Great Unknown, a memoir completed from audio recordings by her mother Lisa Marie Presley. The book was released in October 2024 and is available through the official book site.

The pattern: Keough has transformed personal tragedy into controlled public narrative — through legal strategy, creative output, and selective disclosure.

In addition to managing the Graceland estate, Riley Keoughs health struggles and inheritance have become a significant part of her public narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions