In the years before shocking new legal allegations involving her daughter Riley Keough, the late Lisa Marie Presley publicly lauded her close friends John Travolta and the late Kelly Preston for the way they raised their children — even after a devastating family tragedy.
Presley, who died in 2023, had known the Travoltas for many years and spoke warmly of their parenting and devotion, particularly following the death of their eldest son Jett in 2009.
At the time, she described the couple as ”very good friends” and compassionate, dedicated parents who had stood by their son through his struggles with seizures — a loss that deeply affected both families.
Travolta and Preston welcomed three children together, including Jett, daughter Ella Bleu, and youngest son Benjamin.
Following Preston’s death in 2020 after a battle with breast cancer, Travolta continued to maintain close ties with Presley’s circle, later mourning Lisa Marie’s passing and extending support to her family, including her daughters.
Bombshell legal claims involving Riley Keough
The praise for the Travolta family’s parenting has resurfaced in the shadow of a sensational and controversial lawsuit filed by former business associates of Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie’s mother.
The amended legal complaint alleges that actress Riley Keough, Lisa Marie’s daughter and Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, donated her eggs to John Travolta and Kelly Preston, resulting in the birth of their son Benjamin in 2010.
The lawsuit claims that Travolta and Preston initially sought to use Lisa Marie’s eggs but ultimately turned to Keough — allegedly compensating her with a financial payment and a vehicle.
These claims have not been independently verified and are part of a broader breach-of-contract case that has drawn widespread media attention.
Priscilla Presley’s legal team has publicly condemned the allegations as “shameful” and unethical, asserting they have no bearing on the original dispute and were included to cause harm to the family amid ongoing litigation.
A complex legacy
The juxtaposition of Lisa Marie Presley’s past admiration for her friends’ family life with the highly charged and unproven court claims involving her daughter highlights the complicated and often public challenges facing some of Hollywood’s most storied families.
As the lawsuit continues to unfold, spokespeople for Travolta, Keough, and other members of the Presley family have largely declined or not publicly addressed the specifics of the egg‑donation allegations, leaving significant questions unanswered.
