Graceland, the storied mansion of Elvis Presley, has welcomed millions of visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the King’s extraordinary life. From the iconic Jungle Room to his famed pink Cadillac, much of Elvis’s world is on display. But not all of it.
There is a part of Graceland that remains completely off-limits—the upstairs, where Elvis lived, dreamed, and died. Behind closed doors lie his bedroom, personal office, and the childhood room of his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. This untouched space has become one of the most powerful and protected corners of rock-and-roll history.
Today, Riley Keough, Elvis’s granddaughter, is the steward of this sacred place—and she’s determined to keep its secrets.
A Sanctuary Frozen in Time
Since Elvis’s death in 1977, the upstairs rooms have remained just as he left them. These rooms were always private, even during his lifetime. Elvis allowed very few people upstairs—only his closest family and friends. After his passing, Lisa Marie insisted those rooms be left untouched. And now, Riley is carrying that torch.
In 2023, Riley officially became the owner of Graceland following the tragic death of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley. As both actress and granddaughter to a legend, Riley bears the weight of a legacy unlike any other. But she’s also fiercely committed to honoring her family’s wishes—especially when it comes to the upstairs rooms.
More Than Just a Room: A Place of Healing and Memory
In a heartfelt interview, Riley revealed just how important those private rooms were to her mother. For Lisa Marie, Elvis’s bedroom was not just her father’s sanctuary—it became hers too. After his passing, she would often sleep in his bed as a way to feel close to him.
That room, she told Riley, brought her comfort. It was where she went when she needed to reconnect with her father’s spirit, when she felt lost, or when the pressures of her own life became too heavy to bear. It became a deeply personal retreat.
Riley remembers visiting her mother there and feeling the same warmth. “That space,” she said, “was the one place my mom truly felt safe.”
Lisa Marie’s Memoir: A Glimpse into the Private World
In 2024, Riley helped publish Lisa Marie’s long-awaited memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown. The book offered a rare window into Lisa Marie’s life, including her memories of growing up in Graceland and the emotional connection she had to the upstairs rooms.
She described the space as a place where she could still hear her father’s voice and feel his presence. “It always reminds me of when I was the happiest,” Lisa Marie wrote.
Her memoir gave fans a deeply emotional, first-person account of life behind the velvet rope—without ever needing to open the actual doors.
Elvis’s Bedroom: A Private World of Spiritual Searching
What lies in Elvis’s private bedroom remains largely unknown—but Riley shared one profound detail: it was a room filled with spiritual books. Elvis was deeply interested in religion and the metaphysical. His room, Riley said, was filled with Bibles, spiritual texts, and sacred writings across different faiths.
Adorned in rich reds, blacks, and golds—his favorite colors—the room reflected both his flamboyant taste and his spiritual longing. It wasn’t a rockstar’s party zone. It was his retreat, his place of reflection and searching.
Why the Doors Remain Closed
Fans have long speculated what lies upstairs, and many hope to one day walk through those doors. But Riley is adamant: that part of Graceland will never be open to the public.
And there are multiple reasons why:
-
Emotional Respect: The upstairs rooms are sacred to the Presley family. It’s where Elvis spent his last moments. It’s also where Lisa Marie turned to feel close to him. Riley views it as a place of deep emotional memory—not something to be turned into a tourist exhibit.
-
Historical Integrity: To allow public tours upstairs would require major renovations to meet safety and accessibility standards. That would destroy the authenticity of the space Elvis knew and cherished.
-
Preserving the Mystique: Elvis built a career partly on mystery. He revealed only what he wanted to. The upstairs represents that mystery—and Riley believes some parts of him should remain just for the family.
Mixed Reactions, But a Powerful Stand
While some fans express disappointment that they may never see the upstairs rooms, many others respect Riley’s decision. Keeping the upstairs closed adds to the mystique of Elvis’s legacy. It’s a reminder that not every legend needs to be laid bare.
For Riley, protecting that mystery isn’t just about preserving a legacy—it’s about protecting her family’s heart.
The Last Sacred Space of the King
Graceland will continue to stand as a monument to one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Visitors can walk the halls where he laughed, played music, and entertained his inner circle. But the upstairs will remain off-limits—a sealed time capsule, frozen in grief, love, and memory.
In the hands of Riley Keough, Elvis’s granddaughter, the hidden upstairs of Graceland remains a private cathedral of the Presley family’s past—where silence, secrets, and love still echo through the halls.
And perhaps that’s the way Elvis would have wanted it.
