• Lisa Marie Presley was the only child of Elvis and Priscilla. Getty
    Lisa Marie Presley was the only child of Elvis and Priscilla. Getty
  • She was the mother of four children, including 14-year-old twins Harper and Finley Lockwood. Getty
    She was the mother of four children, including 14-year-old twins Harper and Finley Lockwood. Getty
  • Lisa Marie Presley, her mother Priscilla and her daughter Riley Keough place their handprints in cement at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Reuters
    Lisa Marie Presley, her mother Priscilla and her daughter Riley Keough place their handprints in cement at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Reuters
  • From left, Harper Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough and Finley Lockwood. Getty / AFP
    From left, Harper Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough and Finley Lockwood. Getty / AFP
  • The singer had three daughters, actress Riley Keough and 14-year-old twins Finley and Harper Lockwood. Reuters
    The singer had three daughters, actress Riley Keough and 14-year-old twins Finley and Harper Lockwood. Reuters
  • She and mother Priscilla Presley were executive producers on Baz Luhrmann's Elvis. AP
    She and mother Priscilla Presley were executive producers on Baz Luhrmann's Elvis. AP
  • Lisa Marie Presley, third from right, with son Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020. AP
    Lisa Marie Presley, third from right, with son Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020. AP
  • Lisa Marie Presley with mourners who gathered to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis. Reuters
    Lisa Marie Presley with mourners who gathered to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis. Reuters
  • With her ex-husband, Michael Lockwood. AP
    With her ex-husband, Michael Lockwood. AP
  • She and musician Lockwood shared custody of their 14-year-old twin daughters. AP
    She and musician Lockwood shared custody of their 14-year-old twin daughters. AP
  • Lisa Marie Presley was also married to actor Nicolas Cage. AFP
    Lisa Marie Presley was also married to actor Nicolas Cage. AFP
  • With her daughters Riley Keough, left, and twins Finley and Harper Lockwood. Invision / AP
    With her daughters Riley Keough, left, and twins Finley and Harper Lockwood. Invision / AP
  • Lisa Marie Presley and her mother Priscilla. AP
    Lisa Marie Presley and her mother Priscilla. AP
  • Elvis, wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie in Memphis in 1968. AP
    Elvis, wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie in Memphis in 1968. AP
  • Lisa Marie Presley was briefly married to Michael Jackson. AFP
    Lisa Marie Presley was briefly married to Michael Jackson. AFP
  • Next to her childhood crib at Graceland in Memphis, her first home. AP
    Next to her childhood crib at Graceland in Memphis, her first home. AP
  • Lia Marie Presley died after being treated in hospital, according to her mother, Priscilla. She was 54. AP
    Lia Marie Presley died after being treated in hospital, according to her mother, Priscilla. She was 54. AP

Elvis director Baz Luhrmann pays tribute to Lisa Marie Presley


Holly Aguirre
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Baz Luhrmann, director of the Elvis Presley biopic, shared on social media that he will miss US singer Lisa Marie Presley’s “warmth, smile and love” following her sudden death.

Presley’s family on Thursday said they were “shocked and devastated” to share that Elvis Presley’s only child had died soon after being “rushed” to hospital, two days after she attended the Golden Globes ceremony with actor Austin Butler, who won Best Actor for his starring turn as her father in Luhrmann’s film Elvis.

Luhrmann posted on his personal Instagram an image of Presley and Butler giggling.

“Over the last year, the entire Elvis movie family and I have felt the privilege of Lisa Marie’s kind embrace,” he wrote.

“Her sudden, shocking loss has devastated people all around the world. I know her fans everywhere join me in sharing prayers of love and support with her mother, Priscilla, and her wonderful daughters Riley, Finley and Harper.

“Lisa Marie, we will miss your warmth, your smile, your love.”

Speaking at a pre-ceremony event at the Golden Globes, Presley said she had been “overwhelmed” by the film and the effect that it had.

“I’m very proud and I know that my father would be very proud … I’m overwhelmed with gratitude,” she said.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, called the late singer a “devoted friend” and referred to her as “my sissy”.

“You were my sissy, an amazing mother to Ben, Riley, Harper and Finley and a superbly loving daughter to Priscilla,” she posted on Instagram.

She added: “You have been my devoted friend for many years and I am here for your family to support and love them. I am deeply saddened my sissy, you are in my heart.”

Lisa Marie Presley with her fourth ex-husband, Michael Lockwood in New York. AP
Lisa Marie Presley with her fourth ex-husband, Michael Lockwood in New York. AP

Presley and fourth ex-husband Michael Lockwood lived in the UK for a good portion of their marriage and spent many a night at London’s posh and exclusive Groucho Club — a spot Fergie was known to haunt.

Lockwood acted as his wife’s music director and lead guitarist. They toured in support of her three albums To Whom It May Concern (2003), Now What (2005) and Storm & Grace (2012).

Days before her death, she visited Graceland on January 8 to celebrate her father’s birthday as is tradition with his legions of fans.

Elvis died on August 10, 1977, leaving Presley his sole heir after her 25th birthday.

  • American singer and film star Elvis Presley in 1975. To his fans, the undisputed ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. All photos: Getty
    American singer and film star Elvis Presley in 1975. To his fans, the undisputed ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. All photos: Getty
  • Elvis performs on stage in 1974
    Elvis performs on stage in 1974
  • US president Richard Nixon meets Elvis at the White House in 1970
    US president Richard Nixon meets Elvis at the White House in 1970
  • The ‘Elvis comeback TV special’, in Burbank, California, in June 1968
    The ‘Elvis comeback TV special’, in Burbank, California, in June 1968
  • Priscilla Presley feeds Elvis wedding cake at the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, in 1967
    Priscilla Presley feeds Elvis wedding cake at the Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, in 1967
  • Singer Frank Sinatra and Elvis share a joke in Hollywood, in 1965
    Singer Frank Sinatra and Elvis share a joke in Hollywood, in 1965
  • Elvis in military uniform during his stint as a US serviceman at the Grafenwoehr training camp, Germany, in 1958
    Elvis in military uniform during his stint as a US serviceman at the Grafenwoehr training camp, Germany, in 1958
  • Elvis performs outdoors on a small stage to the adulation of a young crowd in 1957
    Elvis performs outdoors on a small stage to the adulation of a young crowd in 1957
  • Elvis sings his song ‘Hound Dog’ to a basset hound in a top hat on the set of ‘The Steve Allen Show,’ in 1956
    Elvis sings his song ‘Hound Dog’ to a basset hound in a top hat on the set of ‘The Steve Allen Show,’ in 1956
  • Elvis surrounded by his adoring teenage fans in 1956
    Elvis surrounded by his adoring teenage fans in 1956
  • Fans view Elvis Presley’s gold records at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
    Fans view Elvis Presley’s gold records at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

PA contributed to this report

Updated: January 13, 2023, 9:33 PM