LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Priscilla Presley lost her bid to be buried next to Elvis as her granddaughter Riley Keough paid her $1 million to drop her bid after the battle over being co-trustees of Lisa Marie Presley's estate. Following Priscilla's fight over her late daughter's trust worth $35 million, she later reached a confidential settlement with her granddaughter in May.
Priscilla previously claimed in court that Lisa Marie who died at the age of 54 in January 2023 following a cardiac arrest left a will that designated her and Barry Siegel, ex-business manager as co-trustees of her trust. Before her death, Lisa Marie took out multiple life insurance policies worth $35 million for her children and she died owing million to various creditors, reported Radar Online.
Who are the beneficiaries of the Graceland estate?
Riley and her younger twin sisters, Finley and Harper are the beneficiaries of the estate. Shortly after Lisa Marie's memorial, a legal feud over her trust emerged. Priscilla who demanded to be named as the trust's co-trustee raised concerns about a 2016 amendment to her ex-husband's living trust, questioning its "authenticity and validity."
The amendment granted control of the trust to Lisa Marie's children Riley and Benjamin and removed Priscilla and Siegel as cotrustees. The trust encompasses the Graceland mansion and a 15 percent stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE). Priscilla then alleged the signature on the 2016 amendment was suspicious and took the matter to court which Riley was furious about. The duo then avoided the trial through a private settlement.
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As per the agreement, along with a payment of $1 million, Priscilla will also be paid another $400k to cover her legal fees. She failed to convince her granddaughter to allow a burial spot at Graceland right next to Elvis during their negotiations.
Priscilla 'no longer holds any sway at Graceland'
Priscilla and Elvis finalized their divorce in 1973 after they ended their marriage of six years. The duo then remained friends after their split. "Priscilla still thinks of herself as Elvis' widow and her rightful resting place is next to him," a source shared in 2019.
Speaking of Riley denying Priscilla's demands to be buried next to Elvis, an insider said, "Riley says she looks at everything through her mother’s eyes and what she would have wanted," and further added, "She knows her mother and Priscilla were estranged and barely speaking at the end of Lisa Marie’s life, and she doesn’t believe Lisa Marie would want Priscilla interred with her."
"Priscilla has believed for 45 years that she would be buried next to Elvis. But she no longer holds any sway at Graceland or how Riley handles the estate," a close pal stated.
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