It takes hours to die from drugs.". As an adult, one of his favorite meals was a roll stuffed with bacon, peanut butter, and jelly, alongside midnight snacks like hamburgers and deep-fried bread. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This infamous sandwich would bemade with an entire stick of melted butter, as shown byMary Jenkins, former cook at Graceland, duringa 1987 appearance on "Letterman. Instead, she alleged, prescription drugs came from everywhere.. And there's your clue "swollen" Elvis was retaining water big time at the time of his death. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images). His doctor tried at one point to see if he could sleep without anything. Subscribe to Heres the Deal, our politics So what had caused all of these disease processes in his stomach, liver, lungs, heart, spine, eyes and bowel? In 1980, the not-so-good doctor was indicted again for overprescribing to Presley as well as Jerry Lee Lewis, but was acquitted again. Well, that's not true. or redistributed. What were Elvis Presley's health issues that plagued him during his short life? In the recent HBO documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher, the singer's longtime wife Priscilla revealed that she wasn't sure whether Elvis' death was really an accident. Market data provided by Factset. The King of Rock 'n' Roll shocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charm and was treated as an icon - until his tragic final years. Elvis Presley's Health and Legacy. Elvis Presley holds court at a press conference to publicize his show at Madison Square Garden later that night while Colonel Tom Parker looks on at the Hilton Hotel on June 9, 1972, in New York City. In 2020, Hoedel wrote a book titled "Elvis: Destined to Die Young," which explored the late music icons health history and what contributed to his early demise. This was especially true during the last year of his life, when he was deep in his chemical dependency and had left behind many of the loyal friends of his youth. His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. Dr. Nick admitted at a hearing before the Tennessee Board of Health that he had prescribed thousands of doses of various addictive pills for Elvis but also claimed he often slipped him sugar pills, or placebos, to try to control his addictions. ", WOULD ELVIS PRESLEY SURVIVE CANCEL CULTURE? As the King of Rock 'n'Roll, Elvis was idolized, but later mocked after displaying health problems. Presley had recorded tracks at home in Palm Springs in 1973 to great success, and said that he enjoyed being in a room with his fellow musicians to feed off their emotions so why not set up a mobile studio in Graceland? But it's "She Thinks I Still Care" that is regarded by many to be Elvis' finest latter-day moments, illustrating a man trying to move on while trapped in the role tailor-made for him and revealing, according to Rolling Stone, "a real-life glimpse into the life of an increasingly isolated man.". Treatments for these conditions put Elvis in the hospital several times between 1973 and his death four years later. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. His medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. While some have sought to portray the family as hillbillies, the author points out that inter-marriage was not at the time unusual across society. But with his life ended, those who loved him could now remember the man he'd once been, revolutionizing rock music with his energy, charisma, and raw talent. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Many would later wonder if this was because Elvis knew somewhere deep down that he would never play again and wanted to shout out all of those who made his career possible. In a toxicology report, weeks after his death, Elvis' blood was found to have had extremely high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demerol and codeine, as well as Quaaludes. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images), The fifth tour of the year, comprised of 10 cities, 10 shows in 10 days, began on June 17 and ended on June 26. Even his maids were like family and he bought them all new cars. But certainly back in those days we didn't, Tennant explained. Forest believes it all stemmed back to a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that triggered a progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. For Mr Tennant, one major clue was in the full-body deterioration of Elvis, with almost every organ plagued by ill health. Growing up in the South, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage/Getty), SEAN ASTIN SAYS LATE MOTHER PATTY DUKES MENTAL ILLNESS LED HIM TO OFFER SUPPORT TO OTHER PEOPLE, Kirk claimed she tried to improve Presleys diet, but it didnt stick. Dr. George Nichopoulos, aka "Dr. Nick," traveled with Elvis, and carried three suitcases of pills to make sure he could fulfill any of Elvis' needs. Elvis was sitting on the toilet, straining very hard to have a bowel movement a maneuver that put a great amount of pressure on his heart and aorta. Like so many rock stars, including Michael Jackson and Prince, Elvis employed an all-too-willing physician to feed his addiction and hasten his death. Williams herself recently told a photographer that she is "formerly retired" and wants to appear on shows including "Late Night with Seth Meyers" and "The View.". His health issues, often written off as resulting from prescription drug abuse enabled by his infamous doctor, George Nick Nichopoulos, could therefore be attributed in the first instance not to over-medication but to health problems that Presley and his doctors were trying to treat. Opening up about the tragic loss of his pal, the medical professional released a tell-all book; "The King and Dr. Nick" about his time with Elvis. After the final recording session in October of '76, RCA set to work cobbling the tracks together into what would be Elvis' final records a fact none of them knew, but which the pained music seems to foreshadow in hindsight. "You always think there was something you could have done, that he might still be alive today. Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in the 1950s. One of the first responders who arrived at Graceland after the emergency call on the day Elvis died and helped carry him to the ambulance was quoted in the book "Elvis Presley: A Southern Life" saying he "must have weighed 250 pounds," according to Salon. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker allegedly shouted, "The only thing thats important is that hes on that stage tonight! The knowledge and experience Tennant gained in the last 50 years led to his recent book, appropriately titled The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley.. It was clear that, from the moment he landed on the floor, Elvis hadnt moved.. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for July 13, Ed Sheerans wife diagnosed with tumor during pregnancy: Spiraling through depression, Prince Harry describes the rest of his life in five words amid 'Spare' fallout: 'Freedom', Chris Rock plans to address Will Smith Oscar slap in live Netflix special, Prince Harry apology 'demands' from King Charles, Prince William before coronation are 'delusional': experts, Brendan Fraser recalls near-death experience filming 'The Mummy' scene: 'I was choked out', Morgan Evans' dad recalls 'everything' being 'destroyed' in singer's life after Kelsea Ballerini divorce. Whats Missing in Elvis Movie: The Kings Chronic Illness, The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley.. He was not prejudice at all. Ed Sheerans wife diagnosed with tumor during pregnancy: Spiraling through depression, Prince Harry describes the rest of his life in five words amid 'Spare' fallout: 'Freedom', Chris Rock plans to address Will Smith Oscar slap in live Netflix special, Prince Harry apology 'demands' from King Charles, Prince William before coronation are 'delusional': experts, Brendan Fraser recalls near-death experience filming 'The Mummy' scene: 'I was choked out', Morgan Evans' dad recalls 'everything' being 'destroyed' in singer's life after Kelsea Ballerini divorce. That one scene sums up how the real Elvis Presley spent his final years before dying of an apparent heart attack in 1977 at the young age of 42. The autopsy showed that Elvis was massively obese, had extensive plaques in his arteries and had a very enlarged heart. Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins. "Elvis was a strong individual," stepbrother Billy Stanley reflected. Early on, these were heavily pushed by his manager, the infamous "Colonel" Tom Parker, who many believe swindled the naive young Elvis while running him ragged. In 1967 Elvis was victim to just that, knocking himself out after falling in a bathroom. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. And I believe the explanation in this book is as close as well get to fully understand what was going on in his life and what led to his death.". (CBS via Getty Images). Prior to his death, Presleywas visually no longer thehip-swayingElvis the Pelvis sex symbol. "3rd Hour" co-host Sheinelle Jones, who was filling in for . He says, Im sick, I dont feel good, but I cant stop because everybody is relying on me., Hoedel believes Presley was not a drug addict looking to escape reality. But on this day 41 years ago, millions of music lovers wept to the news that Elvis Presley, the King of Rock n Roll, was dead. Elvis' health problems had started long before that August day in 1977. "In 1956 they didn't understand that these pills could become addictive. Theres no one to blame - certainly not Elvis. The truth is more complex. Elvis' last live gig was on June 26, 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis to a crowd of 18,000 fans, according to LiveAbout. His twin brother Jessie wasstillborn, saidbiography.com. He had back pain, digestive troubles, and eye afflictions, including glaucoma. Therefore, you should be happy. He passed away on Aug. 16 of that year. However, this was later proved not to be the complete case. Experts say it's common for people to detach celebrities from reality and laugh at them for entertainment and amusement. Thank you. Elvisembodied modern American youth and rock 'n'roll, changingthe course of popular music with his songs, dance moves, charisma and wardrobe. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. "I realized this man was as iconic as they come, and yet he of course was a human being, sensitive and vulnerable, with virtues and flaws, and I got to experience all of that, Butler said in a USA TODAY interview. I have to make payroll, you know? He had such an obligation as a provider. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit online news service for information and commentary about chronic pain and pain management. He felt the pressure. He turned to food for comfort and had gained a considerable amount of weight. An autopsy was carried out that same day but the report was immediately sealed for 50 years by the family, sparking a slew of speculation as to what killed him. He took too much at times but he was self-medicating because he was trying to find a way to be Elvis Presley., Addiction specialists might term that elaborate rationalisation and justification of a king-size nature, but Hoedel says Presley also felt responsible for his family (as many as 10 members lived with him at Graceland), his band and the Memphis Mafia the courtiers who surrounded him. At 8:00 pm, Dr. Francisco, who only witnessed the autopsy, acted without the consent or agreement of the other two pathologists in announcing to the press that preliminary autopsy findings indicated that Elviss death was due to a cardiac arrhythmia and that drugs were not involved. The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. Presley was a long-time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation. "If Dr. Forrest Torrent is right, there simply wasnt a proper understanding back then in determining what really killed the King of Rock & Roll. And we love tocriticize the celebrity to bring them back down to our level. He said he has made it a point to ask every one of his patients about possible head trauma, and noted that . found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. ELVIS PRESLEY was just 42-years-old when he died, having physically transformed and suffered multiple illnesses and hospitalisations in his final years. Priscilla pointed out that Elvis had written a note to friend and "Memphis Mafia" member Joe Esposito, which stated, "I'm sick and tired of my life. ", Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. The outlet noted that during the last two years of his life, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse. In many ways, the Jungle Room was perfect for the task. During many shows, the audience wouldn't be able to understand what he was saying, and he would often leave the stage early, unable to continue. Nick to make it right. On the day that Presley died, the Colonel was already planning the start of his next tour. But especially in his later years, he developed a range of phobias and obsessions, had trouble sleeping and gradually relied on drugs to get through the day. The touring doesnt help. Here's his response. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). "People become agoraphobic. "Elvis's story is looked on as one of destruction, but it is a futile struggle to survive, through poverty and then through health issues. It seems like his mother was extremely codependent on him, which more than likely had something to do with losing her other son. (Aug. 16), fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley's only daughter dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization, 'Elvis' is onefried peanut butter and banana sandwich of a movie, tasty but overstuffed. newsletter for analysis you wont find anywhereelse. We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. The 78-year-old recalled how Presley would look down as the doctors spoke with him. Westmoreland said she was horrified to hear that even in his condition, Presley was already gearing up for another tour. And driven to continue performing by Colonel Parker and others. However, as Presleys body was slowing down, Hoedel said his determination to hit the road endured. But his immune system wasnt fighting off infection as it should have. Elvis was taken by ambulance to the Baptist Memorial Hospital, where the medical staff was known to be more discrete than the far-closer Methodist South Hospital. The pressure to perform, the loss of privacy and the incessant public. "[I see it as] a story of survival. Few if any figures in rock and roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. When the toxicology report came back several weeks later, however, Elvis blood was found to contain very high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demerol, and codeine as well as Quaaludes. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. Documentary claims Elvis signed his own death certificate, Elvis Presley was found dead on the floor of the bathroom at his Graceland estate, Elvis' body was discovered by his girlfriend Ginger, Elvis' health had deteriorated rapidly over the last decade of his life, Elvis had been a fit young man, but his health suddenly went down hill, A young Elvis pictured in his prime while in the Army. Later that afternoon, a team of pathologists, Drs. In recent years, Hollywood has tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities. We just see whatever we want," Manly says. He would have pulled up his pajama bottoms and crawled to the door to seek help. His mothers family including three uncles were cursed by early death, the author Sally Hoedel says. These interviews provided us with an extraordinary opportunity to learn about Elvis' health, personal life and legacy. Kirk was working at her clinic when she received word that Presley had died. His official cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia. Elviss story is looked on as one of destruction, but it is a futile struggle to survive, through poverty and then through health issues, she says. We don't know what their fears are, what their hopes are, what their dreams are, what their sadness is. The singers incredibly unhealthy diet consisting mostly of cheeseburgers and chronic constipation inevitably contributed to these problems. Dan Warlick, chief investigator for the Tennessee Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner, attended the autopsy and fuelled the popular theory that Elvis died while straining to go to the toilet. That same year, Presley became involved with 1972s Miss Tennessee Linda Thompson. Once there, doctors struggled to revive him without success and Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm. After all these years people still want to know what happened to the "King." Elvis was a sick man who hid a lot of his weakness to fill concert venues and support his family. (Getty), LISA MARIE PRESLEY'S SON, BENJAMIN KEOUGH, DEAD AT 27, He was very, very happy with Linda, said Kirk, adding Thompson was an intelligent stunning lady., But the romance was not meant to be. But who knows? his hip swiveling and unprecedented charm. I think he was awake for three days. ", Additionally, a report from the tabloid The Sun shows that Priscilla considered depictions of Elvis as a bystander in his own life to be inaccurate, only that he was dismissive of attempts to help him get treatment. Kirk first met Presley in 1968 when she treated him at a Memphis medical clinic for saddle sores, Closer Weekly reported. While this is a cruel and derogatory way to describe someone dealing with personal health problems, it's undeniable that Elvis' eating and weight issues colored his last year on Earth. The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which. Early on, these were heavily pushed by his manager, the infamous "Colonel" Tom Parker, who many believe swindled the naive young Elvis while running him ragged. If he didn't prescribe the pills to Elvis, someone else would, and at least this way he wouldn't get them off the street. Photo by Fred Ross/Toronto Star via Getty Images, Elvis personal physician, George Nichopoulos, or Dr. Some expertsagreeElvis may have been performing at a feverish pace to meet fans' demands at the expense of his well-being. Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. Most challenging during Elvis' final years was his nonstop schedule of his live performances. And you have to remember, this was a time when people really didnt talk about their health like they do now. Presley knew there was something wrong with him. Preliminary autopsy findings determined Presley's death was the result of a "cardiac arrhythmia" and that drugs were not involved,saidPBS. He was very family-oriented, Kirk explained. But by 1976, Elvis wasn't just getting his uppers and downers from his manager. At 10 years old, he placed fifth inthe 1945 Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show for a solo performance without musical accompaniment, saidbiography.com. The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. Subsequent armchair diagnosticians (and a few geneticists who claimed to have a lock of Elviss hair and performed a DNA analysis of it) have suggested Elvis had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle in which there is thickening of the hearts walls, weakening and enlargement of the muscle itself, and, ultimately heart failure or sudden cardiac death. He had to survive extreme poverty, and then he had to survive extreme fame. Dr. Nick testified he gave into all of Elviss prescription requests because he wanted to keep Presley from seeking out these drugs on the street.. In his opinion, as shared in a 2013 medical paper, when Elvis tripped over a television cord and knocked himself out on the bathtub, the injury was so severe that it caused brain tissue to dislodge and seep into his blood circulation. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. What about now? I just want the world to know what a great, intelligent, kind, spiritual individual he was. Numerous documentaries have exposed the fatal cost of fame forElvis,who wasn't the healthiest of eaters and increasinglyrelied on drugs to both sleep andperform. This kitschy new incarnation of his identity at the time of his death what many refer to as "Old Elvis" led to him becoming a new sort of posthumous icon, with many claiming his passing was faked and that Elvis was either alive on a private island somewhere or abducted by aliens. ", PAT BOONE RECALLS MEETING PAL ELVIS PRESLEY: 'HE WAS JUST A SCARED YOUNG KID' "Everything with Elvis has to be looked at through a historical lens," Hoedel continued. Others claimed he'd died from a drug overdose, but when the investigation was reopened in 1994, coroner Joseph Davis disagreed. They don't want to go out. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. Savannah Guthrie left the "Today" show during Tuesday's live broadcast amid Hoda Kotb's absence from the NBC morning show. Like many stars who became hugely famous before the concept of celebrity handlers had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men and sycophants. ", Interview: Carson Daly says he's suffered from anxiety, panic attacks on 'The Voice', TV: Lessons for all of us in 'The Kardashians' finale. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Similar to many who found fame in the 60s and 70s, Elvis developed a drug addiction. I walked over, lifted his chin, and said, Elvis, if you talk to me, you look at me, she said. And despite having never smoked, he also suffered from emphysema. Elvis Presley suffered eye disease glaucoma and was almost blind when he died, according to the late King of Rock's personal physician. But when we see the complexity of starsbeyond their fame and fortune, "the public is then forced to see them as human," Manly says. there was another problem: Elvis Presley's issue with prescription drug abuse. "If it had been a drug overdose, [Elvis] would have slipped into an increasing state of slumber. And rather than being shownempathy, he was mocked by the country that lifted him onto the pedestal. He was buried on the grounds of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Interestingly, the pathologists tested him for immune deficiencies, and found Elvis had hypogammaglobulinemia, a disorder of the body's immune system, as indicated by decreased levels of immunoglobulin A (I g A) and I g G. Rosette formation studies revealed decreased numbers of T cells and B cells (lymphocytes). I saw the sadness and the happiness. He was depressed about aging and not having a woman he loved. Elvis had divorced his wife Priscilla Presley in 1973, and developed a dependence on prescription drugs to get through the day, all while maintaining a grueling schedule. He was disabled, says Dr. Forest Tennant, a retired physician and pain management expert who is one of the last people alive to be intimately familiar with Elvis drug use and medical problems. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ", In Ginger's mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance's cronies. needs to stop or at least radically change. "In the last few years of his life, he was very aware of how ill he was," she said. By 1976, Elvis had become disenfranchised and unhinged, his drug use, bad health, and financial excess chipping away at his composure. Nichopoulos, however, continued to over-prescribe to many other patients and in 1995, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners finally and permanently suspended his medical license. More on his health: We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. Indeed, the other two pathologists later admitted that Francisco was covering up the real cause of death at the request of Elviss mortified family who were concerned about the singers reputation. Eric Muirhead, Jerry Francisco, and Noel Florredo, conducted a two-hour post-mortem examination. "Its hard for us to imagine [that he was in physical pain] because he once appeared so perfect on the outside that he couldn't have been flawed on the inside," author Sally A. Hoedel told Fox News Digital. Equally cryptic for some were the parting words the King said as he left the stage: "We'll meet again. (Getty Images). Elvis collapsed in the bathroom 24 hours later. The setlist included many of his classic hits like "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Jailhouse Rock," as well as newer numbers like "Hurt" and his cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Experts say it's crucial to treat stars with empathy and compassion, rather than ridicule. He wanted a companion, but it was difficult for someone of his stature.. Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a considerable amount of weight. It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. Elvis Presley's greatest songs: 20 essential cuts you need to hear now Review: The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked Elvis' health problems, explained. FORMER WIFE PRISCILLA WEIGHS IN, Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. This can lead to constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away. From my research, he was always trying to help Elvis but the line between friend and doctor got blurred, Hoedel says. "It's more difficult to project onto somebody who's showing their fault lines. Manly adds the objectification of Elvis also played a role in this mistreatment: not only was he used as a "moneymaking machine" by power-hungry leadersin the industry, but he was also sexualized and reduced toan image by his youngfemalefans. 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