Riley Keough Explains Why Mom Lisa Marie Presley “Died of a Broken Heart”
Priscilla Presley is setting the record straight.
The ex-wife of Elvis Presley denied the allegation that her granddaughter Riley Keough is the biological mom of John Travolta and his late wife Kelly Preston‘s 15-year-old son Benjamin Travolta.
The claim was made in a lawsuit filed by Priscilla’s former business partner Brigitte Kruse amid their legal battle over finances. In court documents obtained by TMZ, Brigitte alleged that Michael Lockwood—the ex-husband of Riley’s mom Lisa Marie Presley—had told her the actress gave one of her eggs to John and Kelly in exchange for an old Jaguar car and up to $20,000.
In a statement to the outlet, Priscilla’s attorneys said that Brigitte and her “co-conspirators have demonstrated that there is no bar too low, no ethical line that they are unwilling to cross in an effort to cause further pain to Priscilla Presley and her family.”
“These recent outrageous allegations have absolutely nothing to do with the claims in this case,” the Elvis and Me author’s counsel continued, calling the allegation against Keough “shameful” and vowed that “it absolutely will be addressed in court.”
Riley shares two kids with husband Ben Smith-Petersen: daughter Tupelo, 3, and a second child, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, born in early 2025.
CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock; John Travolta/Instagram
E! News has reached out to reps for Priscilla, Riley, Michael and John for comment but hasn’t heard back.
John and Kelly welcomed Benjamin on Nov. 23, 2010, one year after their firstborn son Jett Travolta passed away at age 16 following a seizure. At the time, the couple—also parents to older daughter Ella Bleu Travolta, now 25—called their youngest child a “miracle.”
“He’s given the house a renewed spirit,” John told People in a 2011 interview, “and purpose.”
Gisela Schober/Getty Images
Nearly 10 years after Benjamin’s birth, Kelly died on July 12, 2020, following a battle with breast cancer. She was 57.
Since then, John, 71, has vowed to be candid about her passing to his children. As he recalled once telling his son, “‘Ben, you always love the truth and I’m going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they’re going to go or when they’re going to stay.'”
“‘Your brother left at 16. Too young,'” he continued during a 2021 appearance on Hart to Heart. “Your mother left at 57 and that was too young. But who’s to say?'”
For a closer look at John’s family moments with his kids, read on.
Instagram / John Travolta
Happy Birthday, John
John Travolta celebrated his 70th birthday in 2024 with his family, including their dog Peanut.
Instagram / Ella Bleu Travolta
Her No. 1 Guy
“Happy Birthday to the man who is always by my side and who is always bringing light and beauty into this world,” Ella Bleu Travolta captioned a throwback pic in 2024. “I love you to the moon and back.”
Instagram / John Travolta
Look Who’s Getting Older
“I can’t believe my baby boy is now a teenager,” the actor wrote of his and late wife Kelly Preston‘s youngest son Benjamin Travolta in 2023. “Ben turns 13 today. I love you my son!”
ABACA/Shutterstock
Gone But Not Forgetten
In April 2025, John honored his and Kelly’s son Jett Travolta on what would have been his 33rd birthday, writing on Instagram, “I miss you so much! Love you forever!”
Jett passed away in 2009 at age 16 after suffering a seizure during a family trip to the Bahamas.
Instagram / Ella Bleu Travolta
All Grown Up
Ella also couldn’t believe her baby brother was now in his teens. “Happy Birthday my sweetest Benjamin,” she wrote in 2023. “It feels like yesterday you were this young and now you’re 13!! I love you!
Instagram / Ella Bleu Travolta
The Best to Do It
In honor of Father’s Day 2023, Ella wrote to her dad, “Thank you for being the best father and for all of the love and light you bring to the world. I love you to the moon and back.”
Cheers to a New Year
Ella and her dad rang in 2020 together at a black tie affair.
Instagram / Ella Bleu Travolta
Kiss Sandwich
“Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!” Ella captioned a shot of her parents five months before Kelly’s death in July 2020. “I hope it was filled with lots of love…here’s to eating chocolate with all of your front teeth missing!”
Instagram / Ella Bleu Travolta
Kelly’s Legacy Lives On
In October 2023, on what would have been Kelly’s 61st birthday, Ella wrote on Instagram, “Happy Birthday mama, I love you so much! Thank you for inspiring me every day.”
Instagram / John Travolta
His Greatest Role
That would be dad. “It’s privilege to be a father,” the Grease alum said during Father’s Day 2022. “I love you my babies.”
Hoppy Day
The family hopped into the Easter spirit in 2022.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images
The One That He Wants
“Although they’re completely different from us, there’s a few similarities,” Kelly said of their roles as mob boss John Gotti and his wife Victoria Gotti. “We’ve been together for a long time, we love each other, we adore our kids—and then you’re playing characters.”
Instagram / Ella Bleu Travolta
Say Cheese
The family was all smiles as Benjamin celebrated his 9th birthday in 2019.
Instagram / John Travolta
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
And the Travolta family was cuddled up in bed.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
The Family Force Is Strong
John, Kelly and their kids had a family night out at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
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