Elvis Presley’s daughter, who passed away on Thursday, spent her last years in anguish over her son Benjamin’s suicide.
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Lisa Marie died at age 54 hours after suffering cardiac arrest.
Paramedics performed CPR on the singer after finding her in her Calabasas, California, home before taking her in for treatment.
FINAL POST
Her final Instagram post was meant to help others deal with grief.
“Hi. In honor of it being National Grief Awareness Day , I wrote an essay about Grief which was posted today on PEOPLE,” she shared.
“I thought I’d post it here in the hopes that anyone who needs to hear all of this, it helps in some way.”
Elvis’ only grandson died by suicide after a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 27 on July 12, 2020.
In an essay, she gave to PEOPLE, Lisa Marie shared what she’s learned in the time since her son’s death.
“This is not a comfortable subject for anyone, and it is most unpopular to talk about,” she wrote. “But if we’re going (to) make any progress on the subject, grief has to get talked about.
“Death is part of life whether we like it or not — and so is grieving,” she continued. “Grief does not stop or go away in any sense, a year, or years after the loss. Grief is something you will have to carry with you for the rest of your life, in spite of what certain people or our culture wants us to believe. You do not “get over it,” you do not “move on,” period.”
Lisa Marie confessed that she “beats myself up tirelessly” and blamed herself every day for Benjamin’s death.
Her advice was to lean on others.
“This is where finding others who have experienced a similar loss can be the only way to go. Support groups that have your specific kind of loss in common. I go to them, and I hold them for other bereaved parents at my home.
“Nothing, absolutely NOTHING takes away the pain, but finding support can sometimes help you feel a little bit less alone.”
SAD NEWS
On Thursday, Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla Presley, confirmed the news of her daughter’s passing in a statement to PEOPLE.
She said: “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us.”
The actress went on: “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 your love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment.”
FINAL PHOTOS
Her death comes just two days after her appearance at the Golden Globe Awards Tuesday, where she supported Elvis star Austin Butler.
In her final photos, Lisa Marie looked frail, and had to cling to actor Austin’s arm.
Austin famously played Lisa Marie’s dad, Elvis, and just two days before her health crisis, he won the Golden Globe for his role as the rocker in the self-titled biopic.
Wearing an all-black dress, Lisa-Marie wrapped her arms around the actor for support as she walked.
Her eyes looked distant and tired and she had a slight slouch.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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