Lisa Marie Presley , who died in her Calabasas home at 54 years old on Thursday, had previously opened up about her struggles with addiction. Growing up in the limelight has been tough for the singer and the difficult life challenges she had to face may have further led her to substance abuse.
Opioids And Painkillers
In the foreword of The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain by Harry Nelson, Presley opened up about being addicted to opioids and painkillers.
After The Birth Of Her Daughters
In her own words, Presley shared how her addiction started.
“I was recovering after the [2008] birth of my daughters, Vivienne and Finley, when a doctor prescribed me opioids for pain,” she added. “It only took a short-term prescription of opioids in the hospital for me to feel the need to keep taking them.”
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Proud Of Herself
Presley detailed in an interview with The Today Show, that her struggle started when she was 45 years old and she was proud of herself for overcoming her battles.
Speaking Up To Help Others
While she initially wanted to keep her addiction struggles private, Presley decided to share her journey in the hopes of helping others who are struggling.
“It is time for us to say goodbye to shame about addiction. We have to stop blaming and judging ourselves and the people around us … That starts with sharing our stories,” she said.
Her Children Gave Her Purpose
Her four children – Harper Vivienne, Finley Aaron, Riley, and Benjamin gave her purpose to fight through her struggles.
Losing Benjamin
In 2020, Presley suffered a tragic loss when her only son died of a self-inflicted gunshot. He was 27 years old.
The Death Destroyed Her
The devastating death of her son destroyed her but Presley remained strong for her three girls. She penned a heartfelt essay about grief and loneliness, sharing how their lives have changed after Benjamin’s suicide.
“My and my three daughters’ lives as we knew it were completely detonated and destroyed by his death. We live in this every. Single. Day.”
Death, Grief, And Loss
“I’ve dealt with death, grief and loss since the age of 9 years old,” she also said in her essay.
Presley has lived through many challenges and experienced tragedy at a young age. She was only nine years old when she saw her father’s lifeless body at Graceland. Elvis died at 42 years old of heart complications from long-term drug and opiate abuse.
Going Home To Graceland
Following her death, fans have been paying their respects at the famed mansion. A representative of the family confirmed that Presley will be buried next to her son at Graceland.
