Elvis Presley’s Granddaughter Riley Keough Reveals Biggest Regret about Brother Ben’s Last Day in IG Story

Danny Keough and Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter, Riley Keough, has been candid about coping with her brother’s death. She recently revealed her biggest regret about the last day she saw him.

Dealing with Benjamin Keough’s death has not been easy for any member of his family. Benjamin was only 27 years old when he died by suicide on July 20, 2020, at Lisa Marie Presley’s Los Angeles home.

When he passed away, Lisa Marie was “entirely heartbroken” and “beyond devastated,” not only because of the circumstances of his death but also because he was “the love of her life.”

OUTCOME OF BENJAMIN’S DEATH

Benjamin was buried in the Meditation Garden of the Presley’s Graceland estate. On October 21, 2020, what would have been his 28th birthday, Lisa Marie shared her thoughts on her son’s demise on social media. She wrote:

“My heart and soul went with you. The depth of the pain is suffocating and bottomless without you every moment of every day. I will never be the same.”

On the other hand, Riley got Benjamin’s name tattooed on her collarbone just weeks after his passing and frequently shares tributes to her brother on social media.

In March 2021, eight months after her brother’s death, Riley revealed she was about to become a death doula, the person in charge of helping people at the end of their lives and providing support to grieving families.

Riley explained she had just finished the Art of Death Midwifery Training program at Sacred Crossings and thanked the institute for training people in “conscious dying and death work.”

She emphasized the importance of the program, especially because society considers death a subject too “morbid” or too scary to talk about, so hardly anybody is prepared for it.

COPING WITH BENJAMIN’S DEATH

With all that knowledge at hand, Elvis Presley’s granddaughter said in June 2021 that she was still coping with her brother’s passing and was consciously trying to be present instead of using anything to “escape” her feelings.

She also said she had preconceived notions about suicide, and when Benjamin died, she began sharing videos on social media to let everyone know that even the people they’d never expect could die by suicide would actually do it.

"I wish I’d hugged you properly."

Riley has been trying to operate in love, keep her heart open, give and receive love, and be grateful for everything she has. Still, she admitted to having “hard days.” She added:

“I think when you realize that's part of it, and your expectation isn't to just be feeling joy, that's been a real shift for me in finding those moments and things to smile about.”

RILEY’S REGRET

July 5, 2020, was the last time Riley spent time with her brother before he died, and she commemorated that day’s first anniversary by posting a photo on her Instagram Stories.

In the image, Riley and Benjamin appeared lying next to each other on what looked like a towel. Riley’s subtle smile contrasted her brother’s silly facial expression.

Riley, currently married to Ben Smith-Petersen, wrote with the photo that she didn’t hug her brother “properly” that day because she thought he had contracted COVID-19.

“I wish I’d hugged you properly,” added Riley before writing that she misses her brother every day. Unfortunately, she is not the only celebrity who has been candid about dealing with grief.

Keanu Reeves, for example, lost his girlfriend and stillborn daughter in 2001 and said he missed being part of their lives and all the “great things that will never be.”

In Prince Harry’s case, he admitted the death of Princess Diana impacted his life in such a way that he still has “shock within [him].”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, don't hesitate to get in touch with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.