Michael Lockwood's Reaction To Ex Lisa Marie Presley's Death Gives Update On Their Twin Daughters
Lisa Marie Presley's former husband, Michael Lockwood, is speaking out in the wake of her tragic death. Priscilla Presley confirmed her daughter Lisa Marie's January 12 death to People, telling the outlet, "It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. 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." It's thought Lisa Marie suffered a cardiac arrest.
Lisa Marie was married to Lockwood, her fourth husband, for a decade between 2006 and 2016, with the now former couple welcoming twin daughters during their marriage. The former couple became parents to Finley and Harper in 2008, with Lisa Marie already being a mom to two children from her previous marriage to Danny Keough, her first husband who she was married to from 1998 until 1994. Lisa Marie and Danny welcomed Benjamin Keough (who tragically died in 2020) and actor Riley Keough.
Now, Lockwood is sharing a touching tribute to Lisa Marie and giving an update on their twins following the sad death of their beloved mother.
Michael Lockwood comforted his and Lisa Marie Presley's kids after her death
Michael Lockwood issued a statement via his attorney following the death of Lisa Marie Presley, in which he also shared who now has custody of their teenage daughters. "Michael had been hoping for a speedy and complete recovery because her children needed her. It is very sad it didn't turn out that way," the statement read, per Entertainment Tonight. "Michael's world has been turned on its ear. He is with both of his daughters now," he added, also sending his condolences to the Presley family.
Lisa Marie was notoriously close to her family, sharing a close relationship with her kids. Prior to the birth of her and Lockwood's twins, Lisa Marie opened up about how much she loved being a mom during a 2004 "ABC News" interview. "Everything's better when you have children," she shared (via Elvis.com.au). "Whatever they're experiencing you experience as well with them, over again, even if you're grown up, even if you're, no matter what's happening they're always there. They're there to ground you, you have to get out of yourself and everything becomes about them, and that's really good. Ah, everything's great."
Lisa Marie was left devastated when her son, Benjamin, passed away in 2020 and was very open about her immense grief. In August 2022, she shared a heartwrenching essay with People in which she explained her determination to carry on living came from wanting to take care of her daughters.
Michael Lockwood and Lisa Marie Presley's divorce took years to finalize
Prior to Lisa Marie Presley's sad death, Michael Lockwood shared his hopes that his former wife would pull through the medical emergency that tragically ended in her death. In a statement that's now even more bittersweet than when it was issued, Lockwood's attorney shared his concern over what his and Presley and her daughters were facing. "Michael will be fine as he always is. The most important thing always and now is Lisa Marie gets better and that the children don't suffer as a result of this. They are beautiful little girls and don't need this in their life," Lockwood's attorney told Us Weekly. "Michael hopes and prays that she gets better as soon as possible so they can do the best for their children."
Despite Lockwood's words of hope for his former wife in her time of need, sadly, his and Presley's relationship didn't appear to be very amicable in the wake of their 2016 split. The two had been locked in an increasingly nasty and lengthy custody battle over Harper and Finley, with the former couple fighting things out in court for years. Despite separating in way back in 2016, the twosome didn't actually finalize their divorce until May 2021, per Us Weekly. By that time, Lockwood had very much moved on from their marriage and had even gotten engaged again.
Lisa Marie Presley was locked in a nasty custody battle with Michael Lockwood
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Lockwood's custody battle didn't appear to be very cordial. According to People, the ex-couple had shared legal custody of Harper and Finley in the wake of their separation, though a source claimed in January 2020 that Lockwood supposedly had supervised visits three times a week. The following July, People reported that Lockwood had filed to get primary custody of their daughters after seeing how devastated Lisa Marie was following Benjamin Keough's death.
The exes' strained relationship was obvious amid their legal battle, with a source dishing on their tension to The Sun in 2021. "Michael is done, but the final custody judgement has not yet been signed and they are still working through things, he wants to get that out the way after spending years in court with Lisa," an insider said. "He has no objection over bifurcation, he is desperate to marry Stephanie [Hobgood] and move on with his life, any suggestion he wants to save their relationship is laughable." They added it took so long for the duo to sort things out and officially go their separate ways prior to the May 2021 finalizing of their divorce because Lockwood was supposedly waiting to file for child support. "He wanted to put that first, and they are still fighting over belongings, there are a lot of other things at play here," they shared.