Will Lisa Marie Presley’s Daughters Inherit Graceland?

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Elvis Presley's Graceland will always be a buzzy destination. Memphis saw a huge increase in tourism when Graceland opened to the public in 1982. Not only did the attraction draw crowds from all across the country, but the mansion and surrounding grounds have actually attracted visitors from nearly every country in the world.

So, Elvis fans, before you plan a trip to the iconic Tennessee property, here are all of the answers to your most pressing questions—including why you should visit, how much it costs, and where you should stay. Plus, dive into the history of the estate, from how much Elvis purchased it for to who owns it today. And if you're curious about Elvis's other former homes, like his possibly haunted Hollywood apartment or his iconic Palm Springs honeymoon house, we have you covered there too.

Who Owned the Graceland Mansion Originally?

Graceland was built on 500 acres of farmland in Memphis, Tennessee, owned by the S.E. Toof family for generations and named after Grace, a member of the family. In 1939, "Grace's niece, Ruth Brown Moore, and her husband, Dr. Thomas Brown Moore, built the mansion, which became well-known to the locals of Memphis," according to the estate's official website.

Ruth was a harpist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, so classical recitals were often held in the front formal rooms.

Why Is Graceland So Special?

Aside from being beautiful, Graceland was known as Elvis Presley's home after he purchased it from the Moores in spring 1957—when he was just 22 years old—for a bit more than $100,000. With inflation, that price tag is the equivalent of more than $1 million today. The same year, the King of Rock 'n' Roll skyrocketed to superstardom, making historic network television appearances, giving record-breaking live performances, and receiving armloads of gold records.

What Happened After Elvis?

On August 16, 1977, Elvis died at Graceland, leaving his father, Vernon Presley, as executor and trustee. His beneficiaries were his grandmother, father, and only child, Lisa Marie Presley. Lisa Marie personally owned Graceland and her father's personal effects until her sudden and tragic passing in January 2023. Shortly after Lisa Marie's death, a representative for Graceland confirmed to People that the property would benefit Lisa Marie's three daughters, Riley Keough, 34, and twins Harper and Finley Lockwood, 14. Lisa Marie's mother, Priscilla Presley, challenged the will with a petition. In the petition, she specifically questioned a 2016 amendment that replaced her as a cotrustee with Riley and her late brother, Benjamin Keough.

In May 2023, Riley and Priscilla reached a settlement over that dispute. Court documents, which the family attempted to keep private, revealed that Riley will be the sole trustee of her late mother's estate and the subtrusts of her sisters. The settlement appears to include a $1 million payment to Priscella, and Riley agreed to cover up to $400,000 of Priscella's legal fees related to the petition, The New York Times reported. Priscilla will act as a "special advisor" to the trust "for which she would be paid an undisclosed annual amount for 10 years, or until her death, whichever came first," according to the outlet. She will also be the trustee of the subtrust of her son, Navarone Garibaldi, who is Lisa Marie's half-brother. He will be granted 1/9 of the trust; the rest will be split among Riley, Harper, and Finley, People reports. The agreement awaits approval by a judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court. If approved, the settlement would end months of legal battles over the Elvis estate's trust.

Prior to recent inheritance issues, Graceland has been open to the public since 1982. Proceeds were meant to cover the cost of more than half a million dollars a year in maintenance and taxes. The estate has hosted millions of visitors since then and typically makes $10 million annually, Forbes reports. In 2020, the entire Presley estate, including Graceland, was estimated to be worth between $400 to $500 million, according to Rolling Stone.

What Can I Do There?

Explore the Mansion

Walk through the living room, kitchen, TV room, pool room, the famous Jungle Room, Elvis's parents' bedroom, his father's office, the Trophy Building, the Racquetball Building, and the Meditation Garden of the Graceland Mansion via an interactive iPad tour hosted by John Stamos, with commentary and stories from Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie.

Visit Elvis the Entertainer Career Museum

Learn about Elvis's career with the help of hundreds of artifacts and photos from his life.

Tour Presley Motors Automobile Museum

Check out his iconic Pink Cadillac and more of his favorite automobiles.

See Various Exhibitions

Explore the themed discovery spaces that showcase Elvis’s influences and important parts of his life—from the Graceland archives experience to the new movie exhibition about the making of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis.

Check Out Elvis's Airplanes

Tour Elvis's customized airplanes, including the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II.

Eat

Taste the flavors of Memphis at one of Graceland's dining experiences, including Vernon's Smokehouse and Gladys's Diner.

Shop

Purchase souvenirs from "the largest collection of Elvis merchandise in the world."

How Much Do Tickets Cost?

Depending on the experience you are looking to have at Graceland, ticket prices range. For adults, costs start at about $50 for Graceland Mansion access to $215 for Ultimate VIP Tour packages (per person).

Where should I stay?

Of course, if you'd like to eat, play, and sleep at Graceland, you can! The Guest House at Graceland is located just a few steps from the gates of Graceland Mansion. The resort hotel is inspired by the same warm Southern hospitality that Elvis Presley always showed his guests.

Shop Now The Guest House at Graceland

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