"People think: Oh, you're a star or you have money. In an exclusive interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five of these diseases had been present from his birth. It was clear that, from the moment he landed on the floor, Elvis hadnt moved.. A doe-eyed boy from the South whose unique mix of barking and crooning made him both a rebel and a heartthrob, Elvis changed the way the world thought about music, pop culture, and celebrity. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. This can lead to constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. LOS ANGELES - It has been widely reported that Elvis Presley died in 1977 from cardiac arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat, possibly brought on by drug dependency, obesity and a weak heart. His medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. So what had caused all of these disease processes in his stomach, liver, lungs, heart, spine, eyes and bowel? 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. Presley was born inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977. I was very fortunate [to have known him]. ", ELVIS PRESLEYS PRIVATE NURSE EXPLAINS WHY THE KING WAS 'MISERABLE' DURING HIS FINAL YEARS, As Elvis Presley embarked on a grueling tour, he was concerned about his health, Sally A. Hoedel claimed. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. She credits this topublic figureslike Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish and Michael Phelps, who usetheir platforms toshare theirstruggles and help reducemental health stigma. But when we see the complexity of starsbeyond their fame and fortune, "the public is then forced to see them as human," Manly says. This statement was subsequently demonstrated not to be the case. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. 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. He was depressed about aging and not having a woman he loved. Elvis Presley health: The star was destined to die young full list of his health issues. The touring doesnt help. 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. He just took more medication to keep going. ", ELVIS PRESLEY BECAME A ROCK 'N' ROLL ICON WITH THE HELP OF MEMPHIS CLOTHIER: THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING'. He was later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Presley was a long-time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation. Linda Thompson (left) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley and her parents. He turned to food for comfort and had gained a considerable amount of weight. Legal Statement. Once there, doctors struggled to revive him without success and Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm. Elvis Presley died at 42 years oldon Aug. 16, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in the 1950s. But Elvis was not suffering from garden-variety constipation at the time of his death. And rather than being shownempathy, he was mocked by the country that lifted him onto the pedestal. Dr. Howard Markel 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? He felt the pressure. The last decade of his life had seen his health take a dramatic nose dive. But certainly back in those days we didn't, Tennant explained. Elvis is seen as less or more than human, like an image, and hes been reduced to this rocknroll guy who died in his bathroom from taking too many pills, Hoedel told the Observer. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. It became a problem, but why was he taking them in the first place?, Dr Nick is a controversial figure. says Rockwell, adding that "alot is given away when an artist becomes famous that they are ill-prepared for.". As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. the excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. ", Remembering Elvis: Here are his 10 most popular hits. No one was going to question him. ", Review: Austin Butler rules as the King, butBaz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is an unchained mess. "He was miserable. Equally cryptic for some were the parting words the King said as he left the stage: "We'll meet again. He would ask her, "Would you rub my legs? At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. Using this knowledge she states she was able to trace back every single one of his ailments which he suffered as a child including glaucoma, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. 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. Author Sally Hoedel's Elvis: Destined to Die Young notes that Elvis 's mother's parents were first cousins, with ill-health running through that side of the family. Throw in the obesity Elvis suffered from near the end of his life, what appears to be type II diabetes, an enlarged heart, and a steady diet of unhealthy, fatty and fried foods, along with his notorious prescription pill consumption, and you have the perfect prescription for disaster. All rights reserved. The world thinks he has everything, and yet the happiness isnt there. One of the reasons Elvis turned to the medication was pain. "We see that when he tours, he takes more medication than when hes not touring. He knew he was not going to be able to perform like he wanted to., We shared many hours together, she continued. Theres no one to blame - certainly not Elvis. "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. At the time, little was understood about auto-immune conditions, but these days they are known to cause most of the symptoms Elvis displayed, from chronic pain, irrational behaviour, obesity and enlarged and diseased organs like hearts and bowels. The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. Home Health News Elvis Presley health: The star was destined to die young full list of his health issues, We use your sign-up to provide content in ways youve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Experts say it's crucial to treat stars with empathy and compassion, rather than ridicule. They had a similar four-year period of degenerative health, and thats interesting because she did not take the same medication as he took.. You have all of the money in the world. We just see whatever we want," Manly says. Here's his response. The maids were like family. As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. Elvis at the end of his life had more issues than the biopic cared to admit. (R.D/Images Press/Getty Images), "Elvis story is long told as one of self-destruction," said Hoedel. 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. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. All rights reserved. By then, he really needs a lot of medication to achieve any form of sleep And hes taking things like Valium to achieve sleep because he literally cannot sleep any other way. Few if any figures in rock and roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley. 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). 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. As the King of Rock 'n'Roll, Elvis was idolized, but later mocked after displaying health problems. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Repeated head trauma can cause an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that can then attack any organ in the body. The book alleges that during the second show of that fourth tour, Presley, who was semiconscious, had his head dunked in a bucket of ice water. When his body was discovered, attempts were made to revive him and his father, Vernon Presley, begged his son not to go. Prior to his death, Presley was visually no longer the hip-swaying "Elvis the Pelvis" sex symbol. He was very family-oriented, Kirk explained. The outlet noted that during the last two years of his life, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse. The autopsy results are due to be unlocked in 2027, but until then, the biggest insight into the star's mysterious death has come from prominent California physician, Forest Tennant, who actually reviewed the report while defending Elvis' doctor, Dr. George Nichopoulos, who was later acquitted of over-prescribing drugs. 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. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. "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. ", In the year that Presley died, he had a fourth tour scheduled on May 20. That added a lot of strain to this health. Tennant reviewed the autopsy report, medical records and a confidential 161-page private investigation, and testified as a defense witness for Nichopoulos, who would be acquitted of charges of overprescribing drugs. It was there, in October 1976, that Elvis recorded his final studio sessions, resulting in some of his most memorable and emotionally crushing material to date. Hoedel, an historian, claims it was not a coincidence, that Presleys mother, Gladys, died at 46 and Presley at 42. The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which doctors said was likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates. or redistributed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Elvis Presley collector reveals why the King is more valuable 45 years after his death. We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. But when one looks at the last 12 months of Elvis' life, it becomes clear that the truth behind the King Of Rock And Roll's death might have been even stranger than the rumors people spread about him. Theyre killing me." EDS is what connects all of those health problems, correct? Here's why. But according to the book The Mysteries Surrounding the Death of Elvis Presley, even worse was in Baton Rouge, where Elvis had to cancel a show because he couldn't make it out of his hotel bed in order to get to the venue. It seems like his mother was extremely codependent on him, which more than likely had something to do with losing her other son. According to a 1977 review in Alexandria Town Talk, the first show in Alexandria lasted less than an hour before Elvis had to leave the stage. (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. (Photo by Gary Null & Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images). Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. Sally A. Hoedel wrote a book about Elvis Presley's health history that was published in 2020 titled Elvis: Destined to Die Young. Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a considerable amount of weight. Similar to many who found fame in the 60s and 70s, Elvis developed a drug addiction. The singer was also on a cocktail of drugs and had been prescribed almost 9,000 pills, vials and injections in the seven months before his death. It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. His then-fiance Ginger Alden found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, according to PBS. First he complained of vertigo, back pain, and insomnia, eye infections and headaches, and in 1973 he was rushed to hospital in a semi-coma and found to be suffering from jaundice, severe respiratory distress, marked swelling of his face, distended abdomen, constipation, a gastric, bleeding ulcer and hepatitis. According to Kirk, Presley was impressed by the nurse and her country ways. In 1972, he hired her as his nurse, as well as her husband for security. The book, "Elvis Presley: A Southern Life," also reported that the autopsy "confirmed what his doctors already knew: Elvis was chronically ill with diabetes, glaucoma, and constipation.". In . He was only 42 years old and a bloated, fading version of the once-beautiful man whose rhythmic hip-swaying earned him the nickname Elvis the Pelvis. His girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found him unconscious, lying face down in the master suite bathroom on the second floor of his Memphis mansion, Graceland. Well, that's not true. But now, "Elvis" (in theaters) strives to humanize the legendary singer beyond his musical abilities. Elvis' downward spiral of health struggles is intertwined with his life story, and for the first time, it is revealed that he suffered from disease in nine of eleven bodily systems. In December 1976, after a brief courtship, the singer gave her a $70,000 engagement ring an expenditure that many thought was more for show than actual sentiment. Austin Butler stars as the American heartthrob through the years:as a rocking teen who eventually spirals under the crumblingpressureof success, money and power. Like many stars who became hugely famous before the concept of celebrity handlers had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men and sycophants. People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. His access to medications was overwhelming, she claimed. They show a tired and very sick man, aged beyond his years and sweating profusely. I asked Dr. Tennant how we could use Elvis' predicament to help others in pain. He was a severely injured and ill man. Sure, Elvis will always be remembered for "Jailhouse Rock" and "Can't Help Falling In Love With You", but these final tracks are a testament that even lonely, depressive Elvis had a message that would resonate with audiences for years to come. Elvis Presley died in 1977 aged just 42 and it's long been believed that an unhealthy lifestyle and drug abuse were key factors, but a new book instead points the finger at genetics. To coincide with the commemoration of Presleys passing, Hoedel will be in Memphis to participate in several events and will be traveling to the U.K. for the "Strictly Elvis Festival" from Sept. 10 to 17. And by the 70s, hes an insomniac. The tip of his tongue was clenched between his teeth and his face was blotchy. (The doctor said they were for Presley's entourage as well.) That always stayed with him. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, ", "We don't want celebrities to actually have that picture-perfect life. "One of the maids picked up the phone, and it's Ginger. Thats not enough for a man who culturally shifted our universe. The King was just 43 when he was found face down on the floor of the bathroom at his Graceland home, appearing to have fallen off the toilet. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. 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. Movies like "Elvis" portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity. And yet, the darkness and desperation surrounding Elvis' final months and death have made him an imperfect icon idolized by subcultures your average Graceland-bound tourist might not expect punks, goths, and modern-day rockabillies, who appreciate the mismatched sides of the singer's life. 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. 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. He was trying to function within his reality., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. A diagnostic screening tool for EDS didnt exist when Elvis was alive and few physicians were even aware of the condition. "People become agoraphobic. Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. Three of the Mafia members, David Hebler, Robert "Red" West, and Robert's cousin Sonny West, had acted as Elvis' bodyguards for much of his career. 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. And theres evidence of that time and time again. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. Contrary to popular belief, celebrities aren't immune to mental health problems. Elvis Presley was found dead at the foot of the toilet with his bottom in the air after months of agonising constipation and cheese burger binges. 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.. In November 1976, Elvis split with his girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson, according to The Wrap. Presleys forebears may have made marriage choices because of poverty and proximity, but Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt married to keep wealth in the family. Kirk first met Presley in 1968 when she treated him at a Memphis medical clinic for saddle sores, Closer Weekly reported. And hes the head of his whole organization. ", Celeb obsessed? A new book by Sally Hoedel argues that the singer was a sick man supporting his family and friends. Elvis was a sick man who hid a lot of his weakness to fill concert venues and support his family. Our mission is to raise awareness, connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience. He paid strangers hospital bills if he heard they were poor. 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. Most worrisome to his record label, RCA, was that the King had become entirely uninterested in going into the studio and recording. He was terribly ill, and he died accidentally in some ways with a dentist giving him codeine for his bad tooth, and his bad teeth were also part of the same disease that gave him a bad colon and a bad eye and a bad liver. or redistributed. Throughout Elvis' career, he was surrounded by a crew of friends, hangers-on, and enablers that were casually dubbed the "Memphis Mafia." I gently raised one eyelid. But the extent of his health problems were not truly understood until after he had passed away. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Subscribe to Heres the Deal, our politics It takes hours to die from drugs.". Examining them, she believes, is a way to humanise the mythical figure of Presley, who in later life was known for his corpulence and indulgent appetite. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. With aging, drugs, a hefty and unhealthy diet, and a hard lifestyle, health issues increase, which resulted in Elvis's death on a toilet. In Rees Quinn's biography Elvis, writer Tony Scherman is quoted as saying that by early '77 "Presley had become a grotesque caricature of his sleek, energetic former self. ", WOULD ELVIS PRESLEY SURVIVE CANCEL CULTURE? How could you possibly have problems? I think he was awake for three days. It's more difficult to project onto that person that idealof perfection.". As a result of his horrendous diet, he suffered from chronic constipation and a post mortem found he had compacted stool that was four months old sitting in his bowel. I saw the sadness and the happiness. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. "[I see it as] a story of survival. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Presley family in general did not have a good track record for health. He spent most of his time holed up in the elaborate den nicknamed the "Jungle Room" for its exotic decor of his Memphis compound Graceland. Elvis grew up in a loving family with not much money. Elvis' drug problem was the result of prescription drugs, some of which were administered for health problems. "A few speculated and began telling untruths regarding Elvis and me which were completely unwarranted, mean spirited and wrong.". The autopsy showed that Elvis was massively obese, had extensive plaques in his arteries and had a very enlarged heart. The singers incredibly unhealthy diet consisting mostly of cheeseburgers and chronic constipation inevitably contributed to these problems. He had to survive extreme poverty, and then he had to survive extreme fame. He missed Priscilla. "[Those health] issues become more difficult to live with the more he tours, and he toured a great deal in those last several years. On the day that Presley died, the Colonel was already planning the start of his next tour. 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. Elvis Presley suffered eye disease glaucoma and was almost blind when he died, according to the late King of Rock's personal physician. Many other musician biopics, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, fail to cover the latter half of these prolific figures' lives, mostly focusing on their rise to fame and notoriety.That being said, Elvis struggled with a fair number of health issues that Elvis didn't address, leading up to his tragic passing. Hoedel, a lifelong fan, believes that much of the reams of literature about the singer, starting with Albert Goldmans 1981 Elvis, have distorted his image, and she believes that a revision is overdue. He did start abusing drugs including amphetamines, opioids and sedatives as a teenager and is known to have had an appalling diet. After years of drug abuse, the once lithe star weighed in at 25 stone and had spent months barricaded in his bedroom gorging on platters of cheeseburgers. He was not only my patient but a good friend., LIBERACE TOLD ELVIS PRESLEY HE NEEDED MORE GLITZ IN HIS SHOWS BEFORE LAS VEGAS TRANSFORMATION, BOOK CLAIMS, Elvis Presley in his final years. And he would say, I cant. The singer, who made teenage girls hysterical with his movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating pelvis during the 50s, was suffering from declining health in the 70s. While Elvis did suffer from a pill addiction, as the Austin Butler Elvis movie ending explained, he had chronic pain and health problems that may have fueled it. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. Contributions are tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers. But in 1976, all three were fired to "cut back on expenses." You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The jury thought Dr. Nick was acting in the best interests of the patient (an extremely improbable conclusion, it seems to this doctor) and was acquitted. And we love tocriticize the celebrity to bring them back down to our level. We don't know what their fears are, what their hopes are, what their dreams are, what their sadness is. Presley was found unresponsive at Graceland. 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.". "Elvis was a strong individual," stepbrother Billy Stanley reflected. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. 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. Selena Gomez at the White House: Why mental health is 'personal' for the singer, actress, "What will create a better and more empathic relationship between fans and celebrities ismore celebrities empowering themselves to speak out about their authentic being,"Rockwellsays. Told as one of self-destruction, '' Manly says yet the happiness isnt there the! Their dreams are, what their dreams are, what their hopes are what. And then he had to survive extreme poverty, and it 's Ginger '' said.! The Colonel was already planning the start of his death project onto that person that idealof perfection. `` in... N'T immune to mental health problems were not truly understood until after he passed!, rather than being shownempathy, he takes more medication than when hes touring! 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