Riley Keough – Biography, Husband, Net Worth and Career Guide

Riley Keough, born Danielle Riley Keough on May 29, 1989, in Santa Monica, California, is an American actress, model, and producer. She is the eldest daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough, and the eldest grandchild of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. Keough has built a critically acclaimed career in independent film and television, with notable roles in Mad Max: Fury Road, American Honey, The Girlfriend Experience, and Daisy Jones & The Six.

Keough began her professional life as a model in the mid-2000s before transitioning to acting. Her feature film debut came in 2010 with The Runaways, and she has since worked with directors such as George Miller, Andrea Arnold, and Steven Soderbergh. She also co-directed the 2022 film War Pony, which won the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2024, she completed and published her mother’s posthumous memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown.

Publicly, Keough is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life despite her famous family. She has been married to Australian stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen since 2015, and they have one child. Her career continues to expand, with upcoming projects in film and television.

Who is Riley Keough’s husband? Exploring her family and relationships

• Full Name: Danielle Riley Keough
• Born: May 29, 1989 (age 35 in 2025)
• Profession: Actress, model, producer, director
• Family: Granddaughter of Elvis Presley, daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough, married to Ben Smith-Petersen

Key insights

• Riley Keough is the eldest grandchild of Elvis Presley and has built a successful acting career independent of her family legacy.
• She is married to Australian stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen since 2015.
• Her mother Lisa Marie Presley’s posthumous memoir From Here to the Great Unknown was completed by Riley and released in 2024.
• She is known for both indie films (Zola, The Lodge) and mainstream projects (Mad Max: Fury Road, Daisy Jones & the Six).
• Her net worth is estimated between $4–6 million, largely from acting and producing.

Snapshot facts

Riley Keough’s husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, is an Australian stuntman. According to Wikipedia and Biography.com, the couple met on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road, began dating in 2013, became engaged in 2014, and married in February 2015. They have one child together. Smith-Petersen has worked as a stunt performer on several major films.

Regarding persistent questions about her family connections: Riley Keough is not related to John Travolta by blood or marriage. The confusion likely stems from John Travolta’s friendship with Elvis Presley and his role in the 2022 biopic Elvis. She is, however, the stepdaughter of Michael Jackson, who was married to her mother Lisa Marie Presley from 1994 to 1996. They are not biologically related. Her brother, Benjamin Storm Keough, is mentioned in some sources.

What is the Riley Keough book about? It refers to her mother’s memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, which Riley co-wrote and completed after Lisa Marie Presley’s death in 2023. The book was published by Pan Macmillan in 2024 and covers Lisa Marie’s life, her relationship with Elvis, and her own struggles.

What are Riley Keough’s most famous movies and TV shows?

Film career highlights

Keough’s filmography includes a mix of independent and mainstream projects. Her feature debut was in The Runaways (2010), playing Marie Currie. She gained wider recognition with Magic Mike (2012) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), where she played the role of Capable. Her performance in Andrea Arnold’s American Honey (2016) earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Other notable films include The Devil All the Time (2020), Zola (2020), and The Lodge (2019).

Television work

On television, Keough starred in the anthology series The Girlfriend Experience (2016), for which she received critical acclaim. She also appeared in Daisy Jones & the Six (2023), an Amazon Prime Video series based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, playing the lead role of Daisy Jones. That role brought her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, as noted by Golden Globes.

Who did Riley Keough play in Mad Max?

In Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Keough played Capable, one of the five wives of Immortan Joe. Capable is a compassionate and resourceful character who forms a bond with the war boy Nux during the film’s chase sequence. The role was a breakthrough for her in mainstream cinema.

What is Riley Keough’s net worth?

Public estimates place Riley Keough’s net worth at approximately $4–6 million as of 2025. This figure is based on her acting and producing income, as well as her role in her mother’s memoir. However, no official net worth figure has been disclosed, and the available sources such as IMDb and Instagram do not provide specific financial details.

How old is Riley Keough and what is her net worth?

Riley Keough was born on May 29, 1989, making her 35 years old in 2025. Her net worth is estimated between $4–6 million, though exact figures are not publicly available. The estimate comes from her film and television roles, her producing work, and book royalties.

Key milestones in Riley Keough’s life and career

1. 1989: Born in Santa Monica, California.
2. 2004: Begins modeling career.
3. 2010: Film debut in The Runaways.
4. 2015: Marries Ben Smith-Petersen; Mad Max: Fury Road released.
5. 2016: Co-founds production company Felix Culpa.
6. 2022: Co-directs War Pony, wins Caméra d’Or at Cannes.
7. 2023: Stars in Daisy Jones & the Six.
8. 2024: Completes and publishes mother’s memoir From Here to the Great Unknown.

Clarifying common misconceptions about Riley Keough

Riley Keough’s career trajectory and cultural significance

Riley Keough has deliberately avoided being overshadowed by the Elvis Presley legacy. She chose independent film roles and has worked with auteur directors, building a reputation for dramatic and nuanced performances. Her production company Felix Culpa focuses on developing indie films, giving her creative control beyond acting. The publication of From Here to the Great Unknown marked a significant cultural moment, as it provided a personal account of the Presley family from Lisa Marie’s perspective, completed by her daughter. Keough is now considered a rising force in Hollywood, with multiple projects in development.

Sources and key quotes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources including Wikipedia, IMDb, Pan Macmillan, Instagram, Letterboxd, and Golden Globes. Additional context was drawn from reliable media outlets.

“I’m very proud of my family, but I’m my own person.” – Riley Keough, interview, 2023

“Finishing my mother’s memoir was the hardest and most beautiful thing I’ve ever done.” – Riley Keough on From Here to the Great Unknown

What is the key takeaway about Riley Keough?

Riley Keough is a talented actress, producer, and director who has established a distinct career separate from her famous lineage. She is known for her work in independent cinema, her role in Daisy Jones & the Six, and her dedication to preserving her mother’s story. Her net worth is estimated at $4–6 million, and she continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary film and television. For more on actors from similar backgrounds, see Charlotte Gainsbourg – Complete Biography and Career Guide.

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