Lisa Marie Presley’s long-awaited posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, is finally out, and it’s offering fans an intimate look into her whirlwind romance with none other than the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Released on October 8, the memoir—completed by her daughter, actress Riley Keough—delves deep into Presley’s love life, most notably her relationship and marriage to Jackson in the mid-1990s. The revelations in the memoir shed light on what many considered one of the most unexpected yet iconic celebrity relationships of all time.
From Elvis’s Daughter to Michael’s Wife: The Beginning of an Unlikely Romance
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson first met as children in the entertainment world but didn’t become romantically involved until 1994, when Jackson confessed his feelings to her during a trip to Las Vegas. Presley, who was still married to her first husband, musician Danny Keough, at the time, recalls the moment in her memoir.
“Michael said, ‘I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m completely in love with you. I want us to get married and for you to have my children,’” Presley writes in From Here to the Great Unknown. “I didn’t say anything immediately, but then I said, ‘I’m really flattered, I can’t even talk.’ By then, I felt I was in love with him too.”
Presley’s candid retelling of their initial connection reveals just how quickly their love blossomed. Soon after Jackson’s heartfelt confession, Presley and Keough amicably ended their marriage, and she moved forward with Jackson. Despite the controversy surrounding their relationship, the pair married in May 1994—just weeks after her divorce from Keough was finalized. At the time, Presley was 25, and Jackson was 35.
An Unconventional Marriage
One of the most surprising revelations in the memoir is the level of intimacy Presley and Jackson shared. According to Presley, Jackson confided in her about his past relationships, which included some high-profile names like Tatum O’Neal and Brooke Shields. Presley also revealed that Jackson claimed he was still a virgin when they got together.
“He told me he was still a virgin,” Presley writes. “I think he had kissed Tatum O’Neal, and he’d had a thing with Brooke Shields, which hadn’t been physical apart from a kiss. He said Madonna had tried to hook up with him once, too, but nothing happened. I was terrified because I didn’t want to make the wrong move.”
Their marriage, although short-lived, was a significant moment for both icons. Despite their affection for one another, the couple finalized their divorce in August 1996, just over two years after they tied the knot.
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A Lasting Legacy: Riley Keough Finishes Her Mother’s Story
Presley tragically passed away in January 2023 at the age of 54 from a small bowel obstruction, a complication from bariatric surgery she had undergone years earlier. Following her untimely death, her daughter Riley Keough took on the responsibility of finishing the memoir her mother had started, using tapes of memories Lisa Marie had left behind.
In an exclusive email interview with PEOPLE, Keough, 35, explained her motivation for completing the memoir. “Because my mother was Elvis Presley’s daughter, she was constantly talked about, argued over, and dissected,” she wrote. “What she wanted to do in her memoir, and what I hope I’ve done in finishing it for her, is to go beneath the magazine headline idea of her and reveal the core of who she was.”
Keough’s goal was to transform her mother’s public persona into a relatable and deeply human one, capturing Lisa Marie’s life as a mother, artist, and a woman who experienced immense love, trauma, and loss. “She was the best mother, a wild child, a fierce friend, an underrated artist, frank, funny, traumatized, joyous, grieving—everything that she was throughout her remarkable life,” Keough added.
A Message of Connection
More than just a glimpse into her relationships with megastars like Michael Jackson, Lisa Marie’s memoir is an exploration of love, heartbreak, and family. Keough emphasized her mother’s desire for connection through her story. “I hope that in an extraordinary circumstance, people relate to a very human experience of love, heartbreak, loss, addiction, and family,” Keough said.
Presley’s aim, Riley explained, was to share her personal journey in the hopes that others could see themselves in her experiences and find comfort in knowing they’re not alone. “[My mom] wanted to write a book in the hopes that someone could read her story and relate to her, to know that they’re not alone in the world. Her hope with this book was just human connection.”
The Final Chapter: Remembering a Remarkable Life
As the world continues to mourn the loss of Lisa Marie Presley, From Here to the Great Unknown stands as a powerful tribute to her life, love, and legacy. Her relationship with Michael Jackson, though brief, was a defining chapter in both of their lives, and Presley’s memoir brings fans closer to understanding the complexities of their love story.
While her time with Jackson was marked by both joy and heartbreak, it’s clear that Lisa Marie cherished their connection. As the daughter of Elvis Presley, she was often seen through the lens of fame and fortune, but through her memoir, she has given the world a more intimate look at who she truly was—a woman navigating life’s challenges, seeking love, and, ultimately, finding her voice.
FAQs
What does Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir reveal about her relationship with Michael Jackson? In her posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie Presley shares intimate details about her whirlwind romance and marriage to Michael Jackson, including how he confessed his love to her and their unconventional relationship.
When did Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson get married? Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson married in May 1994, just weeks after Presley finalized her divorce from her first husband, Danny Keough. They were married for over two years before finalizing their divorce in August 1996.
How did Riley Keough complete her mother’s memoir? After Lisa Marie Presley’s death in January 2023, her daughter, Riley Keough, finished the memoir by listening to tapes her mother had recorded, sharing stories and memories she hadn’t been able to include before her passing.
What was Lisa Marie Presley’s goal in writing her memoir? Lisa Marie Presley wanted her memoir to create a sense of connection with readers, hoping that by sharing her personal experiences of love, heartbreak, addiction, and family, others could relate and know they’re not alone in their struggles.
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