'Frail' Lisa Marie Presley had been struggling ever since her son's death

13 January 2024 , 10:36

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Lisa Marie Presley died less than three years after her son (Image: Christian Klepser/Instagram)

Lisa Marie Presley had been "frail" in the years before her death, as she was struggling with the loss of her son Benjamin Keough.

Benjamin died by suicide in July 2020 when he was just 27 years old. Lisa Marie was left "heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated," sources said at the time. Now, her friend Jerry Schilling has revealed Lisa Marie was still struggling with Ben's death up until her own passing.

Remembering the singer on the one-year anniversary of her death, Jerry said: "Since the loss of her son, Ben Storm [Keough], Lisa did not go out." He remembered worrying that Lisa Marie was not "going to survive" after Ben's death.

READ MORE: Priscilla Presley reveals one 'comfort' in losing daughter Lisa Marie after Elvis

Jerry Schilling has opened up about his close friend (NBC via Getty Images)

She struggled after Benjamin Keough's death (MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking to People magazine, Jerry said: "She survived that for two years because of the love and care for her three daughters." Lisa Marie shared Benjamin and daughter Riley Keough with her first husband, Danny Keough. She also had twins Harper and Finley with her ex-husband Michael Lockwood.

Priscilla Presley vows to 'protect' grandkids on Lisa Marie Presley's birthday

The singer-songwriter spent years grieving for her son, but she returned to the spotlight with the making of Baz Luhrmann's 2022 film Elvis. Jerry met up with Lisa Marie at an airport to fly to Memphis for a screening.

He said he hadn't seen her since Ben's funeral. The 81-year-old said Lisa Marie admitted she would "never be the same". Jerry said she "looked frail" but had been "really trying".

Lisa Marie died at the age of 54 (zz/Quasar/STAR MAX/IPx)

Jerry said she seemed 'frail' in the lead up to her son's death (Getty Images)

Just two days before Lisa Marie died, Jerry accompanied her to the Golden Globe Awards. He said he was in a state of shock when he then received a phone call telling him to rush to the hospital after Lisa Marie was found unresponsive at her home.

Lisa Marie, the only child of Pricilla Presley and Elvis Presley, died on January 12, 2023. Her cause of death was revealed in July of that year, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office announcing she had died of bowel obstruction.

Lisa Marie's bowel obstruction was caused by adhesions from a weight loss surgery she underwent a few years earlier. The singer was rushed to hospital on the day of her death after paramedics performed CPR on her at her home.

For emotional support in the UK you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website. Or in the US if you are in crisis or feel suicidal and need someone to talk to, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

Scarlett O'Toole