If you walk through the gates of Graceland today, in early 2026, the air feels different than it did even five years ago. The Memphis heat is still there. The crowds of fans in rhinestone-encrusted jumpsuits still shuffle through the Jungle Room. But the family dynamic behind the gates has shifted in ways that feel both tragic and, honestly, a bit triumphant.
People always want to talk about Elvis. They obsess over the capes and the Cadillac’s. But the real story right now isn't about the man who died in 1977. It’s about the four individuals who carry his DNA into a world he wouldn't recognize. Elvis Presleys grandchildren—Riley, Benjamin, Harper, and Finley—have had to navigate a level of scrutiny that would break most people.
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They aren't just names in a family tree. They are the keepers of a billion-dollar legacy that has been mired in lawsuits, grief, and a very public passing of the torch.
The Matriarch in Waiting: Riley Keough
Riley Keough is basically the face of the family now. You've probably seen her in Daisy Jones & The Six or Mad Max: Fury Road. She’s got that same heavy-lidded stare her grandfather had, but she’s carved out a career that has nothing to do with singing "Suspicious Minds."
As of 2026, Riley is the sole trustee of the Promenade Trust. That’s a fancy way of saying she’s the boss of Graceland. After her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, passed away in early 2023, things got messy. There was a legal skirmish with her grandmother, Priscilla, over who should run the estate.
It wasn't a "feud" in the way tabloids like to scream about. It was more about legal clarity. Riley eventually settled with Priscilla, ensuring her grandmother could be buried at Graceland near Elvis when the time comes.
Riley also became a mom recently. She and her husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, welcomed a daughter named Tupelo Storm. The name is a direct nod to Elvis’s birthplace in Mississippi. It’s a quiet way of keeping the roots alive while moving forward.
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The Tragedy of Benjamin Keough
You can't talk about the Presley grandkids without talking about Benjamin. He was the only grandson. He looked so much like Elvis it was actually a little bit spooky.
Ben lived a very private life compared to Riley. He struggled. In 2020, he died by suicide at the age of 27. The news absolutely shattered Lisa Marie. Honestly, many close to the family say she never really recovered from that loss.
There was a heartbreaking detail that came out in Lisa Marie’s posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, which Riley finished. Lisa Marie kept Benjamin’s body on dry ice in a separate room in her home for two months before he was finally laid to rest at Graceland. It sounds macabre to some, but for a mother who couldn't let go, it was a way to say goodbye on her own terms. Benjamin now rests in the Meditation Garden at Graceland, right next to his mother and his grandfather.
The Next Generation: Harper and Finley Lockwood
Then there are the "little girls." Except they aren't so little anymore.
Harper Vivienne Ann and Finley Aaron Love Lockwood are fraternal twins. They just turned 17 in October 2025. They’ve spent most of their lives shielded from the paparazzi, which was probably the best move Lisa Marie ever made.
- Harper is often described as the more reserved one.
- Finley has been spotted more frequently in recent months, sometimes sporting a style that feels very "rock and roll" without being a costume.
They live primarily with their father, Michael Lockwood. Since their mother’s death, Riley has stepped up as a protective big sister, overseeing the sub-trusts that will eventually give them their share of the Presley fortune.
Watching them at events, like the handprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre, you see the resemblance. It’s in the eyes. It’s a sort of "Presley gaze" that doesn't fade with generations.
Living Under the Shadow of the King
It’s easy to think that being one of Elvis Presleys grandchildren is all private jets and royalty checks. But think about the weight. Every time Riley does an interview, she’s asked about a man she never met. Every time the twins post a photo, people comment on which feature looks like Elvis.
The "Presley Curse" is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot. People point to the early deaths—Elvis at 42, Lisa Marie at 54, Benjamin at 27. It's a heavy narrative to live under.
But Riley seems to be breaking the cycle. She’s professional, grounded, and fiercely protective of her sisters. She’s also had to fight off weird legal threats, like that bizarre attempted foreclosure of Graceland in 2024 by a company that turned out to be totally fraudulent. She handled it with a level of grit that would have made her grandfather proud.
What You Should Know About the Future of the Legacy
If you’re following the Presley family, the next couple of years are going to be big. The twins will be turning 18 soon. That’s a major milestone for the estate.
- Graceland is stable. Despite the legal hiccups, Riley is firmly in control.
- The memoir revealed a lot. If you want to understand the family, read From Here to the Great Unknown. It’s raw and doesn't sugarcoat the addiction or the grief.
- Tupelo is the future. The fourth generation is already here, and Riley is raising her far away from the Memphis circus.
The best thing fans can do is respect the privacy of the younger grandkids. They didn't choose this life; they were born into it.
If you're planning a trip to Memphis, take a moment at the Meditation Garden. It’s not just a tourist spot. For Riley, Harper, and Finley, it’s where their mother and brother are. That’s a reality that no amount of fame can change.
Keep an eye on Riley’s production company, Felix Culpa. She’s moving into directing and producing more, ensuring that the Presley name stands for modern talent, not just 1950s nostalgia.
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To stay truly informed, follow the official Graceland updates and Riley’s rare personal statements rather than the "insider" gossip sites. The real story is usually much quieter—and much more human—than the headlines suggest.