Everyone loves a good family feud, especially when it involves the most famous name in Rock ‘n’ Roll history. When Lisa Marie Presley passed away suddenly in early 2023, the world watched the Graceland gates, waiting for the inevitable explosion. And for a while, it looked like we got exactly what we expected. Headlines screamed about "warring Presleys" and "betrayal."
But then, something shifted.
A priscilla presley riley keough joint statement surfaced that basically told the world to back off. It wasn't just a PR move; it was a line in the sand. Most people think these two were at each other's throats for years, but the reality is much more nuanced—and honestly, a bit more heartbreaking—than the tabloid covers suggest.
The Statement That Quietly Ended the Noise
In September 2025, a rare and direct joint statement was released to PEOPLE. This wasn't about the original trust dispute from 2023, though. It was a reaction to a messy $50 million lawsuit from Priscilla’s former business partners, Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko.
The partners made some wild claims, alleging that Priscilla "pulled the plug" on Lisa Marie to get control of the estate. They even suggested Riley and Priscilla were still secret enemies.
The joint response was sharp.
"We are aware of the latest allegations from Brigitte Kruse. These claims are not only untrue but also deeply hurtful. Our family is, and always has been, united in love and respect for one another."
They went on to say their priority was "honoring Lisa Marie’s memory" and protecting "Elvis’ legacy with dignity."
It was the first time they truly stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the public eye. No lawyers speaking for them. No "sources close to the family." Just them.
Wait, Wasn't There a Huge Court Battle?
Yeah, there was. Let’s not pretend it was all sunshine.
When Lisa Marie died, Priscilla challenged a 2016 amendment to the trust. This amendment basically kicked Priscilla out as a trustee and handed the keys to Riley and her late brother, Benjamin. Priscilla’s legal team argued the signature looked "inconsistent" and that she was never notified of the change while Lisa Marie was alive.
It looked bad. Really bad.
Riley, according to leaked letters, was "heartbroken" that she was being taken to court by her grandmother while she was still grieving her mother. She actually wrote to Priscilla, calling her "Nona," and expressed how much it hurt to have lawyers emailing her before her mom was even in the ground.
The Million-Dollar Peace Treaty
Money talks. In the Presley family, it screams.
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By May 2023, the legal battle was settled. Riley stayed the sole trustee of the estate—meaning she’s the boss of Graceland now. But Priscilla didn't walk away empty-handed. The settlement, which was later approved by a judge, included:
- A $1 million lump-sum payment to Priscilla.
- An additional $400,000 (roughly) to cover her legal fees.
- A $100,000 annual salary for Priscilla to serve as a "Special Advisor" for ten years.
- The guarantee that Priscilla will be buried at Graceland near Elvis when the time comes.
Honestly? It was a payout. But for Riley, it was a price worth paying to get her grandmother out of the courtroom and back into the family living room.
The "Sociopath" Allegations and the Truth About Their Bond
The 2025 joint statement was necessary because the legal drama with Kruse got personal. The lawsuit called Priscilla a "calculated sociopath." That’s heavy.
Riley’s decision to sign a joint statement defending Priscilla against these claims is the biggest indicator of where they actually stand. If Riley still hated her grandmother for the 2023 trust challenge, she would have stayed silent. She would have let the "sociopath" labels stick.
Instead, she stood up for her.
Riley has since said in interviews that "there was a bit of upheaval," but that things with "Grandma" have settled. She’s even acknowledged that the business side of their family is complicated. When you're managing a legacy worth hundreds of millions, "family" becomes a corporate structure whether you like it or not.
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What Most People Miss
People forget that Riley is a mother now. She has two kids with husband Ben Smith-Petersen, including daughter Tupelo. Priscilla has publicly gushed about being a great-grandmother, saying she "loves her babies."
This isn't just about a priscilla presley riley keough joint statement—it’s about the reality that life is short. They lost Lisa Marie at 54. They lost Benjamin at 27. There isn't much "Presley" left, and both women seem to have realized that fighting over a trust isn't worth losing the only family they have left.
Actionable Takeaways from the Presley Saga
Looking at how this played out, there are some real-world lessons for anyone dealing with family business or inheritance:
- Transparency is Everything: The whole 2023 mess started because a trust amendment wasn't communicated. If you change your will, tell people. Don't let it be a surprise during a funeral.
- Separate Emotion from Business: Riley treated the $1.4 million payout as a business settlement. It wasn't about "buying love," it was about resolving a legal obstacle so she could move forward as trustee.
- United Fronts Stop Gossip: The 2025 joint statement effectively killed the "feud" narrative for the media. When family members speak with one voice, the tabloids lose their power.
- Prioritize the Legacy: Both women realized that a public fight was damaging "Brand Elvis." Sometimes, protecting the bigger picture is more important than being 100% right in a legal argument.
The Presley family is stronger than it has been in years, mostly because Riley Keough stepped up as the leader Lisa Marie needed her to be. She managed to keep the house, pay the "tax" to her grandmother, and keep the family together.
If you are following the ongoing legal developments regarding the Presley estate or the lawsuits involving Brigitte Kruse, make sure to look for official court filings rather than social media speculation. The documents often tell a very different story than the headlines.
The next step for the family is the continued management of Graceland under Riley's sole leadership, ensuring that the 15% stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises remains secure for the next generation of Presleys.