A Heartfelt Tribute to Family: Riley Keough’s Daughter’s Name Holds Special Significance
Amidst the bittersweet farewell to her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, in January, Riley Keough and her husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, announced the arrival of their daughter. Smith-Petersen shared this beautiful news while reading a heartfelt speech written by Riley in honor of her mother at the memorial service held on January 22nd at Graceland. The emotion-laden speech, expressing Riley’s gratitude and love for her mother, resonated deeply with the attendees, and Smith-Petersen’s poignant delivery of the words struck a chord with everyone present.
In an intimate conversation with Interview, which was published on March 29th, Riley Keough unveiled that she embarked on her journey into motherhood in 2022. Subsequently, in an interview with Vanity Fair on August 8th, she expanded upon her experiences as a new mother and revealed the unique name she and her husband chose for their daughter. Their precious baby girl is named Tupelo Storm Smith-Petersen. The significance behind the name holds a touching tribute to Riley’s renowned family.

Reflecting on the choice of her daughter’s name, Keough shared with Vanity Fair, “It’s funny because we picked her name before the Elvis movie.” She referred to the film “Elvis,” released in 2022, which could have inadvertently drawn connections to her legendary lineage. However, Keough found solace in the distinctiveness of the name, envisioning it as a departure from more well-known family-related names like “Memphis.” Yet, the arrival of the Elvis movie introduced a flurry of references to Tupelo, creating an unexpected resonance. Despite this, Keough embraced the serendipity and found comfort in the name’s individuality. Additionally, the middle name “Storm” is a poignant tribute to her late brother, Benjamin Storm Keough, who passed away in 2020. The magazine report further revealed that Tupelo was born in August 2022, brought into the world via a surrogate.
Keough, celebrated for her role in “Daisy Jones & the Six,” shared her aspirations as a new mother with Vanity Fair, expressing her earnest desire to be the best parent for her daughter. She humbly acknowledged that perfection in parenting is elusive, yet she is committed to nurturing a strong bond with her child. Keough and Smith-Petersen’s love story blossomed on the set of “Mad Max: Fury Road” in 2012, leading to a courtship that solidified their deep connection. The couple’s journey culminated in two weddings in 2015, a testament to their enduring commitment.
In May 2022, Keough penned a heartfelt essay for Vogue Australia, reminiscing about her journey with Smith-Petersen. She recounted an early memory of their relationship, where a simple stop at a gas station ignited a profound realization. In that fleeting moment, she recognized Smith-Petersen as the future father of her children, a sentiment that would eventually manifest as her present reality.
In the grand tapestry of life, Riley Keough’s journey into motherhood, marked by her daughter’s meaningful name, stands as a testament to the power of love, family, and the interconnectedness of our lives’ narratives.