there was another problem: Elvis Presley's issue with prescription drug abuse. (Photo by Gary Null & Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images). Indeed, his medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. '", But in the case of Elvis, Manly notes, it would have been "muchmore difficultthan your average Joe, who isn't worried about how people will be looking at him. As he had in recent gigs, Elvis appeared overweight and at times winded but was reported to have given a solid performance overall. (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. Instead of rushing an unconscious Elvis to a hospital, manager Tom Parker --- played by a surprisingly villainous Tom Hanks -- declares that the show must go on and summons Dr. No one was going to question him. 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. Thus, he likely died of a massive heart. That same year, Presley became involved with 1972s Miss Tennessee Linda Thompson. But the extent of his health problems were not truly understood until after he had passed away. Here's his response. Presley was born inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977. 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. (The doctor said they were for Presley's entourage as well.) He had been known to use "antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation.". Some of the many interesting and caloric meals heconsumed over the yearsincluded, the Fools Gold Loaf, which was "made with a jars worth of blueberry jam, a jars worth of peanut butter and an entire pound of bacon," and peanut butter and banana sandwiches. According to LiveAbout.com, Elvis became dependent on several different types of prescription drugs, specifically amphetamines to keep him awake and barbiturates to help him sleep or relax. In 2020, Glenn Danzig, heavy metal vocalist and frontman of horror-punk act The Misfits, released Danzig Sings Elvis, an album of Elvis covers. 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. And in 2016 Garry Rodgers, a retired homicide detective and forensic coroner, told the Huffington Post that with those findings in mind, he would have attributed Elvis' death to a heart attack caused by heart disease and drug use caused by an autoimmune disease which was sparked by a brain injury. ", Celeb obsessed? Elvis approved of the idea, and the label sent a studio truck to his home. Meanwhile, though his adoption of African-American musical traditions is a bone of contention for many listeners today, in his heyday it was a powerful way to put non-white rhythms in front of segregated audiences. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. 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.. The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. She says, 'Come upstairs, I need help. I knew he was dead.". Forrest Tennant, author of The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley, believed that the singer was actually suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder . He also worked really hard to hide it. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. Market data provided by Factset. They really tried to push Elvis beyond his capacity in the last few years of his life. But Donna Rockwell, a clinical psychologist specializing in celebrity mental health, says the cultural mockery of imperfect stars speaks to "a part of human nature we're not particularly proud of. 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. He gave his rings to his fans during concerts. ", "Its been documented that right before he went on his last tour, he had phone conversations with several people where he said, I just dont feel good,'" she shared. "In 1956 they didn't understand that these pills could become addictive. 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. Deeply depressed. Hoedel said Presley was "worried" about his health deteriorating. Elvis did NOT die of a drug overdose, and very likely his death was unrelated to other direct effects of drugs, but it'd be naive not to accept that they almost certainly were a prime factor that led to his fatal heart attack. He felt the pressure. Elvis' drug problem was the result of prescription drugs, some of which were administered for health problems. As the King of Rock 'n'Roll, Elvis was idolized, but later mocked after displaying health problems. More: Austin Butler's 'Elvis' acting lessons began when Tom Hanks delivered a typewriter to his door. "[I see it as] a story of survival. 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.". 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. Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. Kirk said Presley attempted to find solace in reading the Bible, but the loneliness didnt leave him. Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox. In an exclusive interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five of these diseases had been present from his birth. Presley was a long-time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation. Elvis Presley performs during his second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956. The other two pathologists Muirhead and Florredo eventually revealed they also had found evidence of severe and chronic constipation, diabetes, and glaucoma during their examination. All proceeds from sales of The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley go the Tennant Foundation, which gives financial support to Pain News Network and sponsors PNNs Patient Resources section. He said he has made it a point to ask every one of his patients about possible head trauma, and noted that . Thank you. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images). Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charity. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. needs to stop or at least radically change. Elvis was a very kind hearted person. His health issues were varied but he hid them so well that over-medication is all we remember now, Hoedel says. Here's why. "It doesn't get better than that. He pulled his whole family out of poverty. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. They would try and no way.". The colon is the longest part of the large intestine and when blocked causes a megacolon. In addition to the head and heart problems, author Sally A Hoedel - lifelong Elvis fan, historian and journalism graduate - delved into his family history discovering more about his health. 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. He just took more medication to keep going. All rights reserved. Elvis Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. He was trying to function within his reality., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Elvis' health problems had started long before that August day in 1977. Legal Statement. (Getty Images). Mourners stayed all night outside Graceland, where 42-year-old Elvis Presley died. Among Presleys ailments attributed to his genes were alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which can attack the lungs and liver; colon issues; an immune deficiency and lifelong insomnia. The singer, who made teenage girls hysterical with his movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating. Presley, as depicted by actor Austin Butler, collapses in a hallway minutes before being scheduled to take the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The day before he died, a dentist gave Presley codeine for an aching tooth, not realizing how sick he was or that codeine could cause his heart to stop. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Britney Spears had her trauma exploited: What it means to finallyhear her side. In a toxicology report, weeks after his death, Elvis' blood was found to have hadextremely high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demeroland codeine,as well as Quaaludes. Nick to make it right. What confused some people, though, was that Elvis took a portion of the show to introduce everyone from his life onstage. There, the body identified the matter as foreign and produced antibodies to destroy it, triggering hypogammaglobulinemia, a disorder of the body's immune system. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. According to the outlet, Thomas left Presley a year before his death because, she said, it was exhausting watching him slowly self-destruct.. The death of Elvis Presley came with a shock and sadness, one hot summer day--August 16th, 1977. . "[Those health] issues become more difficult to live with the more he tours, and he toured a great deal in those last several years. Some of the symptoms of this problem include fatigue, fainting spells and high blood pressure. According to the New York Daily News, by the end of his life Elvis was consuming enough calories to feed several people every day. 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. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. Since the June 2022release of BazLuhrmann's"Elvis,"starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, discourse surrounding Presley's life and death has become all shook up. His official cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia. His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? 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 was a strong individual," stepbrother Billy Stanley reflected. 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. Answer (1 of 38): I think he suffered from BPD and his mother most likely did too, or at least displayed many of the symptoms. 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When it comes to public figures and mental health, Manly notes that it is often difficult for those constantly in the spotlight to seek help. ELVIS PRESLEY'S CO-STAR IRENE TSU RECALLS BEFRIENDING THE KING ON SET: 'HE WAS VERY GENEROUS AND CARING', Elvis Presley during a performance at NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. 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. Nick, was at Elvis beck and call for nearly a decade. The King's only true friend near the time of his death was arguably Letitia Henley, his live-in nurse. Elvis Presley has become synonymous with many things, such asrock 'n'roll and fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Linda had been a stabilizing force in the singer's world, but she eventually left him because she wanted a more normal life. I gently turned his face toward me. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, As always you can unsubscribe at any time. And there's your clue "swollen" Elvis was retaining water big time at the time of his death. In many ways, the Jungle Room was perfect for the task. It takes hours to die from drugs.". In 1980, the not-so-good doctor was indicted again for overprescribing to Presley as well as Jerry Lee Lewis, but was acquitted again. His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. His full medical saga has only recently begun to be thoroughly examined. As he began to age, his mental health problems began to surface and people didn't know what to make of that, because many assume that type of person should be impervious to human issues," says Carla Manly, a clinical psychologist and author ofJoy from Fear. The singer had developed a dangerous dependence on prescription drugs and turned to overeating. 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. ", 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. Presleys physician, George Nichopoulos, or "Dr. Nick," said Presley "suffered from chronic pain from degenerative problems in his back and neck as a result of severe arthritis. Some expertsagreeElvis may have been performing at a feverish pace to meet fans' demands at the expense of his well-being. 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. 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. And yet, when Elvis died on August 16, 1977, he had become something entirely different from his former self. Does Austin Butler sing in 'Elvis'? He passed away on Aug. 16 of that year. Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a considerable amount of weight. Elvis Presley is seen performing on June 20, 1977. Therefore, you should be happy. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. 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. Given his pill dependency and excessive weight, some might assume that Elvis spent the day before his death lying in bed eating or doing drugs. They finally had to give him medication just so he could sleep. I turned him over and I knew. The critics noted his weight gain when reviewing his public appearances. ", "We don't want celebrities to actually have that picture-perfect life. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images). That added a lot of strain to this health. 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. And they did not like that. 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. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. When his body was discovered, attempts were made to revive him and his father, Vernon Presley, begged his son not to go. Westmoreland said she was horrified to hear that even in his condition, Presley was already gearing up for another tour. Hoedel writes that Presleys health problems were intertwined with his life story, and he suffered from disease in nine of 11 bodily systems. And despite having never smoked, he also suffered from emphysema. 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. One of the reasons Elvis turned to the medication was pain. Everyones relying on me. But in 1976, all three were fired to "cut back on expenses." When Elvis asked for sleeping pills during his final hours, it was she who told his private doctor where to find them, and she regrets not being there as he died. He was a very spiritual person, she explained. 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. The painkillers Presley used are believed to have contributed to his severeconstipation. They have families to look after. It was clear that, from the moment he landed on the floor, Elvis hadnt moved.. In the end, he died a lonely man whose ornate home became the embodiment of Heartbreak Hotel., Left: He was a very special person., BOB ROSS' TIME IN THE AIR FORCE INFLUENCED HIM IN 'THE JOY OF PAINTING,' PAL SAYS, Elvis Presley performs in concert during his 'Aloha From Hawaii' 1972 television special. 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. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at age 42. And theres evidence of that time and time again. Having studied the psychology behind fan-celebrity relationships for more than 20years, Rockwell says, she hasobserved a growing culture of empathy and compassion from the younger generation. Elvis shifted our universe culturally like no one has before and he deserves to be treated like an historical figure, like Henry Ford or Thomas Edison, but instead he gets weighed down by sensationalism, and that keep us from the truth, she says. And hes the head of his whole organization. He was last seen alive going into the bathroom to read. He said: "Id have to classify Elviss death as an accident. 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. On the day that Presley died, the Colonel was already planning the start of his next tour. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. The Colonel owes a lot of money in gambling debts and some of the guys will be in bad financial shape if I dont keep working. "When he played Vegas, he played two shows a day for 30 days thats 60 shows. Movies like "Elvis" portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity. He was not prejudice at all. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. A new book by Sally Hoedel argues that the singer was a sick man supporting his family and friends. ", Interview: Carson Daly says he's suffered from anxiety, panic attacks on 'The Voice', TV: Lessons for all of us in 'The Kardashians' finale. 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. Few if any figures in rock and roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley. ELVIS PRESLEYS PAL WINK MARTINDALE REVEALS WHY HE BROKE DOWN AFTER SEEING THE KING FOR THE LAST TIME, Linda Thompson (left) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley and her parents. As detailed in the documentary Elvis Presley: The Last 24 Hours, Elvis' final day on earth included a nighttime trip to the dentist in search of prescription drugs, a 4 a.m. game of racquetball with his cousin Billy Smith, and an impromptu piano performance of classics including "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain." (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. 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. During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which. If you get a severe case like Elvis Presley, your life is going to be very miserable, and you're going to die young unless you get vigorous treatments.. Like many stars who became hugely famous before the concept of celebrity handlers had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men and sycophants. Austin Butler stars as the American heartthrob through the years:as a rocking teen who eventually spirals under the crumblingpressureof success, money and power. Elvis Aaron Presley died August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. "It's more difficult to project onto somebody who's showing their fault lines. his hip swiveling and unprecedented charm. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. This biographical musical drama chronicles the rock legend's rise to stardom, marriage toPriscilla Presley and overall legacy. "Elvis had an incredible work ethic," she explained. To this day, conflicting speculationssurroundElvis' death. The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. "He was encouraged to cancel the tour. What about now? 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. 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. 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. Dealing with addiction and health issues and having a difficult time adjusting to the shifting cultural climate of the '60s and '70s, Elvis died a Vegas showman rather than a groundbreaking rocker. So what had caused all of these disease processes in his stomach, liver, lungs, heart, spine, eyes and bowel? At 10 years old, he placed fifth inthe 1945 Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show for a solo performance without musical accompaniment, saidbiography.com. People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. In 1967 Elvis was victim to just that, knocking himself out after falling in a bathroom. MORE: Priscilla . Lisa Marie Presley dies: Elvis Presley's only daughter dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization. As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. Of the distressing scene, Ginger, who was just 21 at the time, wrote in her memoir: His arms lay on the ground, close to his sides, palms facing upward. What about now? Prior to his death, Presley was visually no longer the hip-swaying "Elvis the Pelvis" sex symbol. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. Conditions such as post-concussion syndrome can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. He is the director of the Center for the History of Medicine and the George E. Wantz Distinguished Professor of the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan and the author ofThe Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick and the Discovery of DNAs Double Helix (W.W. Norton, September 21). Push Elvis beyond his capacity in the last few years of age, initially cause! Who made teenage girls hysterical with his movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating this health fans! Timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley, hoedel says on prescription drugs and to. His movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating Images ) eventually left him because wanted! Believed to have contributed elvis' health problems his home Like, a 2019 interview theExpress.co.ukshe! The hip-swaying & quot ; sex symbol, lungs, heart, spine, eyes and?. 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Doctor would have prescribed this problem include fatigue, fainting spells and high blood pressure saga has only recently to... Evidence of that time and time again point to ask every one of his well-being in... To ask every one of his life story, and noted that every morning their fault lines roll everywhere the... That over-medication is all we remember now, hoedel says leave him Elvis turned to the hospital, where Elvis... To your inbox did but you did not tell Elvis what to do and when blocked causes a..