Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis, dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, has died at age 54.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla Presley said in a statement to The Associated Press. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”

A statement sent to USA TODAY on behalf of Priscilla and the Presley family expressed shock at “the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

Presley had started the week in a festive mood, first celebrating what would have been her father's 88th birthday with fans at Elvis' Memphis home, Graceland, and later tearfully applauding alongside her mother as Austin Butler received a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of the King of Rock 'n' Roll in Baz Luhrmann's biopic "Elvis."

But on Thursday, she suffered apparent cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, just north of Los Angeles, and was taken to a local hospital, according to TMZ, the first to report the news. She died hours later. 

Although Presley was famous from the moment she was born and a singer in her own right, releasing three albums, she truly leaped into the pop culture vortex with her surprise marriage to embattled pop superstar Michael Jackson and, later, Elvis aficionado and actor Nicolas Cage.

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Both those marriages were short-lived, although more lasting unions brought four children, including her son, Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020 and was laid to rest at Graceland.

Mostly, Presley, with her hooded eyes and smoldering looks that were patently reminiscent of Elvis, became known largely as keeper of his legacy and inheritor of his estate.

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Four days before her death, Presley was at Graceland to help fans celebrate what would have been her father's 88th birthday. 

“It’s been a while. I missed you," she told the crowd Sunday. "I keep saying you’re the only people that can bring me out of my house. I’m not kidding."

Two nights ago, Butler thanked her from the Golden Globes stage for her dedication to honoring her father.

"Thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me," he told the Presleys in his acceptance speech. "Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever."