From Tom Hanks to Donatella Versace: Many stars are shocked at the news of the death of 54-year-old Lisa Marie Presley. Like her father Elvis Presley, the American was a singer.
Lisa Marie Presley in 2015
Lisa Marie Presley, American singer and only child of rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley, died on January 12 at the age of 54. Her mother, “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie,” the family said in a statement.
Regarding the cause of death, celebrity portal TMZ reports that Lisa Marie Presley had been rushed to hospital after suffering cardiac arrest and placed in an induced coma in intensive care. A domestic worker is said to have found the 54-year-old lifeless in her home in Calabasas, a celebrity suburb of Los Angeles.
“The most wonderful laugh”: Many stars mourn Presley
The death of the US singer caused a wave of grief on social media. Celebrities and fans have expressed their condolences across multiple platforms.
“Our hearts are broken,” wrote Oscar winner Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson in a joint statement on Instagram. A mother should never have to lose a child, the two emphasize: “Lisa Marie lost her beloved son Benjamin, Priscilla loses her only daughter. That's too much.” The couple had Lisa Marie Presley's family at work together met on the recently released biopic “Elvis”. Hanks plays the role of Elvis' manager.
Oscar winner Nicolas Cage, to whom Presley was married for three and a half months, also spoke up: “Lisa had the most wonderful laugh of anyone I have ever met. She brightened every room”. He finds comfort in the belief that she is reunited with her son Benjamin, quotes the “Hollywood Reporter” from a statement by the 59-year-old. Lisa Marie Presley's son Benjamin Keough committed suicide in 2020 at the age of 27.
Lisa Marie Presley was Married to US actor Nicolas Cage for three and a half months
“Beach Boy” Brian Wilson also condoles: “It's hard to take when someone so young and full of life leaves us,” writes the 80-year-old pop icon on Twitter. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and pop singer Pink also paid tribute to the late musician. Pink writes on Instagram: “Oh, my heart hurts. Lisa Marie, you were one of a kind. […] The world lost a rare gem today. May your soul rest in peace.”
US actor John Travolta, known for his roles in films such as Pulp Fiction and Grease, tweets that he will miss his “Baby Girl” very much.
Fashion icon Donatella Versace also expresses her sadness on Instagram. She writes that she will never forget the time she spent with Lisa Marie and praises her beauty and kindness.
Linda Thompson, with whom Elvis was in a relationship for several years after separating from his wife Priscilla Presley, posted a photo of the rock 'n' roll legend and his daughter and writes: “My heart is too heavy for words…”
Lisa Marie Presley was nine years old when her famous father died in 1977 at the age of 42. The singer's only child outlived the young “King” in age by only a dozen years.
Singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley had followed in the footsteps of her famous father Elvis Presley (picture from 1956)
Lisa Marie Presley made a name for herself as a singer and released three studio albums of her own. 2003's “To Whom It May Concern” was followed by 2005's “Now What.” Her third and last studio album is from 2012 and is called “Storm & grace”.
Private life in the spotlight
In the past, her private life was also repeatedly in the public eye. Around 2018, when she spoke in a “Today” interview on the US broadcaster NBC about her fight against her drug problems, which she led in her mid-40s.
Again and again she caused a stir with her four marriages. She was married to pop icon Michael Jackson for a year and a half, and her marriage to US actor Nicolas Cage lasted just over three months. She was subsequently married to actor and composer Michael Lockwood. Danny Keough was her first husband, from whom she divorced in 1994. Presley is survived by two 14-year-old twin daughters and 33-year-old actress Riley Keough, who starred in the action film Mad Max: Fury Road.
Lisa Marie Presley inherited “Graceland”
By 2005, Lisa Marie Presley had controlled her legendary father's legacy. She then sold most of her shares in Elvis Presley Enterprises to an investment firm. She kept Graceland, her father's home in Memphis, where Elvis Presley was found dead in August 1977. He was then taken to the hospital, where it was determined that he had died of a heart attack. Toxicology testing revealed high levels of prescription drugs in his blood.
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Graceland pilgrimage site
Every year on August 16, Elvis fans commemorate their idol by lighting candles for him in front of his former home “Graceland”, where Elvis died in 1977. Up to 75,000 people from all over the world flock to the gates of his former home to honor the “King of Rock 'n' Roll” on the anniversary of his death. Elvis' only child Lisa Marie Presley was the sole heir to the estate.
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Profit after death
The Graceland website states that she was the owner of the property before her death. The Memphis property is the most visited historic home in the United States after the White House. In addition to Graceland, “Elvis Presley Enterprises” manages the entire estate of the King of Rock 'n' Roll and takes in millions every year.
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Inspiration for Hollywood
The life story of Elvis Presley, played by Austin Butler, was released in June 2022. The main focus is on the complicated relationship with his shady manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). Director Baz Luhrmann provides electrifying music and stage scenes – and Butler is celebrated for his fantastic portrayal of “King”.
- 45 years after his death: Elvis lives on
From small town boy to superstar
Elvis Presley was born in the small town of Tupelo, Mississippi. When he was 13, his family moved to Memphis, in the neighboring state of Tennessee. There he recorded his first songs in the studios of the famous label Sun Records in 1954 and created his unmistakable rockabilly sound. Two years later, his breakthrough came with his hit “Heartbreak Hotel”.
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Military service in Germany
From 1958 to 1960 the star and heartthrob was stationed as a US soldier in Friedberg. Instead of staying in the barracks with his comrades, he checked into a hotel in nearby Bad Nauheim with his grandmother, his father and two bodyguards. Today, hotel guests can stay in the “Elvis Room”.
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Hits made in Germany
Even though he was actually banned from performing during his military service, the “King” still found time for his greatest passion: music. In Germany Elvis wrote his two hits “One Night” and “Fool Such as I”. In addition, he helped the German folk song “Must I denn zum Städtele raus” to world fame. However, his version says “Wooden Heart”.
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Happiness until the end of life?
For Elvis, the time in Germany not only meant fast cars and rock 'n' roll. It was here that he met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu, the daughter of a US officer who was only 14 when they met. The couple married in 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. However, Elvis was said to have numerous extramarital affairs. The marriage ended in divorce in 1973.
The “King” lives on
His legacy is honored around the world. The “European Elvis Festival” in Bad Nauheim attracts numerous doubles of the singer every year. Elvis also has official fan clubs in 38 countries. And of course the “King” could not be missing on stamps either. The Spanish city of Granada printed his face on a stamp as early as 1978, Germany followed in 1988.
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Legendary style
< p>Legend has it that Elvis swore by the jumpsuit after his trousers ripped on stage during a concert. Whatever the reason, the garment became an absolute fashion hit. A shop in Charlestown, Indiana makes faithful replicas (photo) of Elvis' overalls. Fans and doppelgangers have to wait 14 to 16 weeks for such a gem.
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Dean, the “genius”
Elvis not only inspired countless doubles, but also filmmakers and generations of musicians. But who inspired the “King”? During his lifetime he revealed that he admired the gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. And he called the actor James Dean (photo) “a genius”.
Lisa Marie Presley would have been 55 on February 1st. On Tuesday evening, she attended the Golden Globes gala with her mother. The US actor Austin Butler was honored for his title role in the movie “Elvis” as best male actor in a drama film.
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