Lisa Marie Presley at 2012 Billboard Music Awards - Las Vegas

Inside The Presley Family Curse That Took The Lives Of Three Generations

Home / Entertainment / Inside The Presley Family Curse That Took The Lives Of Three Generations

By Fiyin Olowokandi on January 13, 2023 at 10:15 AM EST

The world continues to mourn with the Presley family following the tragic loss they recently suffered. Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of legendary musician Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, passed away on January 12.

Lisa was just 54 at the time of her painful passing, sending her loved ones and fans into disarray. However, in light of Lisa Marie Presley’s death, we couldn’t help but notice a similar death pattern that seemingly plagues the Presley family.

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Lisa Marie Presley Dies At 54

About 48 hours after attending the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, Lisa was rushed to the West Hills Hospital and Medical Center after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Before she was transported, emergency experts performed CPR on her and gave her epinephrine after confirming they found a pulse. Unfortunately, her condition only worsened, and she was ultimately confirmed dead in the hospital.

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Lisa Marie Presley at the Premiere of 'Mad Max: Fury Road'
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Her mother released a corroborating statement confirming the news. “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us."

Pricilla continued, “She was the most passionate, strong, and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers. At this time, there will be no further comment.”

The "Storm & Grace" songstress's tragic death brings to mind how her famous father also died from cardiac arrest. However, the "Heartbreak Hotel" singer isn't the only Presley plagued with death from heart issues.

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A Look Into The Similar Pattern Of Death In Three Presley Generations

The “Heartbreak Hotel” singer was one of the twin boys born to parents, mother Gladys Love Smith and father Vernon Presley, on January 8, 1935. However, the other twin Jesse Garon Presley died, and this probably caused Gladys to be closer to Elvis. 

The mother and son’s bond became so strong over the years, and the pair even had pet names for each other. Elvis soon became famous, and this fame played a contributing factor to Gladys’ downward spiral. 

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Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley with daughter Lisa Marie Presley
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Although the doting mom was proud of her son’s success, she struggled to deal with the fame that came with it. Gladys reportedly gradually became depressed and took to drinking more alcohol and diet pills. In 1958, the mom of one was diagnosed with hepatitis.

On August 14 of that year, Gladys passed on after an illness. Per reports,  the cause of death was a heart attack, which was later attributed to liver failure due to alcohol poisoning.

Nineteen years later, Elvis died from the same heart attack. The Billboard chart-topper was found lying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom. Upon discovery, Elvis was rushed to the Baptist Memorial Hospital, and after failed attempts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm.

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Town And Country reported that a contributing factor to the cardiac incident was due to the rock star's severe and continuous drug abuse. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awardee had continuously used several prescription medications, including opiates, barbiturates, and sedatives.

However, when his family requested a private autopsy to determine the cause of death, certain revelations were made. Tennessee’s Chief Medical Examiner, Jerry Francisco, released the songwriter’s official death certificate detailing the reason as a coronary issue unrelated to drugs. 

At that time, Francisco told American Medical News, ”Elvis Presley died of heart disease, and prescription drugs found in his blood were not a contributing factor. Had these drugs not been there, he still would have died.” 

Could it be that the Presley family have a history of heart issues?

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Lisa Marie Looked Shaky At The Golden Globes Award

Two days before the “Lights Out” singer’s passing, she attended the Golden Globes Awards, and she wasn’t steady on her feet. 

Elvis Presley and daughter Lisa Marie Presley
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The Blast observed the “Dirty Laundry” singer’s appearance from the circulated videos. One clip showed the deceased songwriter needing assistance to get down a small set of steps before the show started. Award-winner Austin Butler assisted her to the red carpet area, but as soon as he let her hand free, she was shaky and seemed like she was about to fall over. 

In another video, which surfaced on the internet hours after the event broadcast, after Butler won the award for best actor for his role in the musical biopic “Elvis,” the daughter of the legendary singer shared what the movie meant to her. In the clip, it was noticeable that the “I’ll figure it out ” singer’s speech was slow, and her body language seemed off.

Perhaps these signs could have been the emotions from that memorable night because Presley hadn’t disclosed any information about any underlying ailment in the past years. 

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