It was always Lisa Marie Presley’s wish to pass on Graceland to her daughter, Riley Keough.
That was what Joel Weinshanker, a Managing Partner at Elvis Presley Enterprises, revealed when he made an appearance on SiriusXM's Elvis Radio on February 1, what would have been Lisa’s 55th birthday.
“When Elvis passed away, he left everything to his little girl,” Weinshanker said. “He did so knowing that she would be the one to keep his legacy going.”
Weinshanker continued, “I can tell you that she has, without falter, no matter what else was happening in her life, in her career, always been the one to look at what was best for Elvis... regardless of what somebody else was trying to do, regardless of what another family member [was trying to] do.”
After Lisa’s death on January 12, it was revealed that Graceland would go to her three daughters: Riley, 33, and twins Harper and Finley, 14.
However, her mother, Priscilla Presley, is questioning “the authenticity and validity” of her will, which removed Priscilla and Lisa’s former business manager, Barry Siegel, as co-trustees and replaced them with Riley, her late son Ben, and the twins.
In defense of Lisa’s wishes, Weinshanker said she “couldn't be bought” and “couldn't be pushed.” Her priority was always what was in Elvis’ best interest, not money.
“She really is the only Presley that you can ever say that about,” he added.
The Elvis Presley Enterprises exec reiterated that he and Lisa discussed the issue multiple times and she was very emphatic about who she wanted to leave the estate to.
He said Riley and Ben were always meant to be “the stewards,” but since Ben has passed on, “it really sat with Riley.”
Weinshanker also said he wasn’t the only one Lisa discussed the issue with.
“There's no question on anyone's mind [because] Lisa had spoken [about] it, there's numerous amounts of written information, she had talked to so many of her friends about it.”
He concluded his interview by saying that people should pay tribute to Lisa on her birthday by honoring her wishes. He also expressed hope for the future, saying, “[T]he best years of Graceland are ahead of us."
