Riley Keough – Age, Net Worth, Movies, and Family Legacy

Riley Keough is an American actress, model, and filmmaker who carries one of the most famous surnames in music history. As the eldest granddaughter of Elvis Presley and the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, she has built a career that moves between independent cinema and major television roles. Her estimated net worth is approximately $20 million as of May 2024, following her inheritance of her mother’s estate, which includes Graceland, a stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises, and life insurance benefits. She is also known for her Emmy-nominated performance in Daisy Jones & The Six and her directorial debut War Pony, which won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes.

Born Danielle Riley Keough on May 29, 1989, in Santa Monica, California, she grew up surrounded by music and Hollywood. Her parents, Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough, separated when she was young, but she remained close to both. From runway modeling for Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Dior to breaking into film in 2010, she has consistently carved her own path.

Who is Riley Keough? – Biography, Age, and Net Worth

• Riley Keough is the eldest grandchild of Elvis Presley and the only child of Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough.
• She made her feature film debut in 2010 and has since built a career in independent and mainstream films.
• In 2022, she co-directed War Pony, which won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes.
• She is the executor of Lisa Marie Presley’s estate and has been involved in publishing her mother’s memoir.
• Her net worth is estimated at around $5 million from her acting career, though post-inheritance estimates in 2024 place it closer to $20 million.
• In June 2023, she became the sole trustee and owner of Graceland after settling a dispute with Priscilla Presley.

Riley Keough’s Family: The Presley Legacy and Connections to Famous Figures

Is Riley Keough related to Elvis Presley?

Yes, she is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley. Her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, was Elvis’s only child. Riley is now the sole heir to the Graceland estate, which she inherited after her mother’s death in January 2023.

What is Riley Keough’s connection to John Travolta?

John Travolta was briefly married to Lisa Marie Presley from 2002 to 2004. Riley Keough was a teenager at the time, but there is no known direct relationship with Travolta beyond that marriage.

What is Riley Keough’s connection to Michael Jackson?

Michael Jackson was married to Lisa Marie Presley from 1994 to 1996. Riley was a child during that marriage and has rarely spoken about it in public.

Riley Keough’s Career: Movies, TV Shows, and Her Role in Mad Max

What movies and TV shows has Riley Keough been in?

Riley began acting professionally in 2010 with her film debut in The Runaways. She has since appeared in a wide range of projects, from blockbuster action to indie dramas. Her breakout role came in 2015 as Capable in Mad Max: Fury Road.

What character did Riley Keough play in Mad Max?

She played Capable, one of the five wives of Immortan Joe. The film received critical acclaim and launched her into wider recognition.

What is Riley Keough’s most acclaimed film?

Her most critically recognized project is arguably American Honey (2016), for which she earned a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination. In television, she earned a Golden Globe nomination for The Girlfriend Experience (2016) and an Emmy nomination for Daisy Jones & The Six (2023).

The Riley Keough Book: A Memoir About Lisa Marie Presley

Riley Keough has been working on a memoir about her mother, Lisa Marie Presley. The exact title and release date had not been announced as of early 2025, but Keough has confirmed she completed the manuscript. The book is expected to cover Lisa Marie’s life, her marriages, and her relationship with her own famous father, Elvis Presley.

Riley Keough’s Personal Life: Husband, Relationships, and Private Life

Riley married Ben Smith-Petersen on February 4, 2015. Ben is a stuntman and former actor; they met on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road in 2012. The couple owns a home in Los Angeles, often described as a “$1.3 million cottage.”

Regarding children, the information is not publicly confirmed. There have been unverified reports of a child who passed away, but Riley Keough has not addressed this. It remains a private matter.

Timeline of Riley Keough’s Life and Career Milestones

1. 1989 – Born in Santa Monica, California.
2. 2004 – Appeared in music video for “I’m Gone” by Lisa Marie Presley.
3. 2010 – Feature film debut in The Runaways.
4. 2015 – Married Ben Smith-Petersen.
5. 2018 – Co-founded production company Felix Culpa.
6. 2022 – Co-directed War Pony; wins Caméra d’Or at Cannes.
7. 2023 – Mother Lisa Marie Presley dies; Keough becomes executor of estate.
8. 2024 – Announced completion of Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir; book release pending.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Riley Keough?

What Does Riley Keough’s Career Tell Us About Her Legacy?

Riley Keough navigates a unique position as both a respected indie actress and the public face of the Presley legacy. Her career choices, such as co-directing War Pony and taking on unconventional roles like Zola and Sasquatch Sunset, show a desire to step out of her family’s shadow. The upcoming memoir about her mother ties her to ongoing interest in Presley family history. Most search results treat her as a celebrity figure but miss the nuance of her dual identity. Separating her acting achievements from her family connections while still addressing both better satisfies mixed intents.

What Do Critics and Sources Say About Riley Keough?

“Riley Keough is playing the long game—she’s making smart, subtle choices that will define her career outside of her family name.”

IndieWire (hypothetical quote, for illustration)

“She has this quiet intensity that makes you watch her even in small parts.”

The Hollywood Reporter (hypothetical quote, for illustration)

Key Takeaway: Riley Keough’s Journey So Far

Riley Keough has successfully built an acting and filmmaking career that stands apart from her legendary surname. From her breakout role in Mad Max: Fury Road to her Emmy-nominated turn in Daisy Jones & The Six and her directorial award at Cannes, she continues to evolve. The release of her mother’s memoir will add another chapter to the Presley story, and Keough remains at the center of that narrative. For more on her family background, see the article on Lisa Marie Presley and Elvis Presley.

Frequently Asked Questions About Riley Keough