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. His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? 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. (Getty Images). He was miserable because hed gained so much weight. 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. As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. "He knew what he was doing," she said, "and people go, 'Why didn't anyone do anything?" As always you can unsubscribe at any time. And hes the head of his whole organization. According to Elvis: Destined to Die Young, the singer's downward spiral, punctuated by health problems routinely written off as the consequences of addiction, could have been caused by. This website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In an exclusive interview with Elvis cousin Annie Presley, it was revealed that as a toddler Elvis had needed help clearing his bowels. He was later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. 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 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 November 1976, Elvis split with his girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson, according to The Wrap. His untimely death was mourned by fans as many made their way to Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, to pay respects. By examining his flaws and health issues, maybe we can start to see his humanity again.. Sally A. Hoedel wrote a book about Elvis Presley's health history that was published in 2020 titled Elvis: Destined to Die Young. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. 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. He needed a full-time nurse and apparently refused to bathe throughout 1975, causing him to develop sores on his body. He said he has made it a point to ask every one of his patients about possible head trauma, and noted that . 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. 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. Well, that's not true. Here's his response. Kirk, her husband and their daughters soon found themselves living in Graceland. Please check your inbox to confirm. He had this terrible heart, so he died suddenly, within seconds, as he was trying to sit on the commode., Fortunately, the Elvis movie spares us any final scenes like that ending instead with actual clips from one of Presleys last concerts. He paid strangers hospital bills if he heard they were poor. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. He would have pulled up his pajama bottoms and crawled to the door to seek help. ", 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. As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. According to Elvis' longtime friend and hairdresser Larry Geller, the star was ready to turn his life around in the months leading up to his passing at age 42 in August 1977. That haunts me.". Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Indeed, his medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. there was another problem: Elvis Presley's issue with prescription drug abuse. So when he was sick, he didnt stop as he should have. 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. Elvis grew up in a loving family with not much money. According to Elvis: Destined to Die Young, the singers downward spiral, punctuated by health problems routinely written off as the consequences of addiction, could have been caused by Presleys maternal grandparents, who were first cousins. (Photo by Gary Null & Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images). 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. His doctor tried at one point to see if he could sleep without anything. 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. If we can strip away the negative connotations, and then look at the consequences, theres a lot of truth to be uncovered, Hoedel says. Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a considerable amount of weight. "Elvis had an incredible work ethic," she explained. 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. But he still sang like The King.. 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. Looking back at her past, she said theres one memory that still vividly sticks out. 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. In the end, he died a lonely man whose ornate home became the embodiment of Heartbreak Hotel., Left: 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. The critics noted his weight gain when reviewing his public appearances. For Mr Tennant, one major clue was in the full-body deterioration of Elvis, with almost every organ plagued by ill health. And there's your clue "swollen" Elvis was retaining water big time at the time of his death. Todays tears belong to musical monarch Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, who died Thursday at age 76 of pancreatic cancer. He also worked really hard to hide it. What about now? However, this was later proved not to be the complete case. ", "We don't want celebrities to actually have that picture-perfect life. 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. 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 once told me, You never hear Superman asking for help.", "The touring is difficult," Hoedel explained. 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. 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. Linda Thompson (left) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley and her parents. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charity. All rights reserved. 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.. 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. Mystery has long surrounded the death of Elvis Presley after his family sealed the results of his autopsy for 50 years. Mourners stayed all night outside Graceland, where 42-year-old Elvis Presley died. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "It doesn't get better than that. He pulled his whole family out of poverty. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. 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. There, the body identified the matter as foreign and produced antibodies to destroy it, triggering hypogammaglobulinemia, a disorder of the body's immune system. 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 had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine storyshortly after his death. Elvis Presley, who died 44 years ago this month, was not a drug abuser in the typical rocknroll lifestyle sense, a new book claims, but he was medicating to address a series of congenital illnesses. 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. It never came to fruition. Elvis Presley collector reveals why the King is more valuable 45 years after his death. Experts say it's common for people to detach celebrities from reality and laugh at them for entertainment and amusement. "So when we see a celebrity altered in any way, we can say 'Oh, see, they faltered,'or 'They're not perfect.' "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. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. 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. What about now? The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which. FORMER WIFE PRISCILLA WEIGHS IN, Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. Fact checking the new 'Elvis' movie: Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. (Sally A. Hoedel), For "Elvis: Destined to Die Young," Hoedel said she spoke to numerous sources who knew and befriended Presley over the years, and "had the privilege to see documents that people have not seen and used those for research aspects of this book. Now The King's cousin has shared specific . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. A hint of air expelled from his nose. As the King of Rock 'n'Roll, Elvis was idolized, but later mocked after displaying health problems. More info. Hoedel, an historian, claims it was not a coincidence, that Presleys mother, Gladys, died at 46 and Presley at 42. "In 1956 they didn't understand that these pills could become addictive. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. After a quick injection of stimulant drugs, Elvis recovers just enough to sing, dance and entertain an adoring crowd in a packed showroom. Elvis was a very kind hearted person. He didn't "jiggle" nearly as much as most do, nor did his legs or arms look especially fat. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. 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. 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. Experts say it's crucial to treat stars with empathy and compassion, rather than ridicule. "A few speculated and began telling untruths regarding Elvis and me which were completely unwarranted, mean spirited and wrong.". Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. 'Stan' culture: needs to stop or at least radically change. Growing up in the South, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods. You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. 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. Hugely overweight, his mind dulled by the pharmacopeia he daily ingested, he was barely able to pull himself through his abbreviated concerts.". After the trial, Tennant remained curious about Elvis medical problems and continued his research while treating people with intractable pain. Legal Statement. 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. 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 turned to food for comfort and had gained a considerable amount of weight. adios.". He said: "Id have to classify Elviss death as an accident. MORE: Priscilla . 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. She says, 'Come upstairs, I need help. 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.". Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Throughout Elvis' career, he was surrounded by a crew of friends, hangers-on, and enablers that were casually dubbed the "Memphis Mafia." Market data provided by Factset. In 1980, the not-so-good doctor was indicted again for overprescribing to Presley as well as Jerry Lee Lewis, but was acquitted again. He did start abusing drugs including amphetamines, opioids and sedatives as a teenager and is known to have had an appalling diet. Hodel claimed that Presley continued to use medication to not only provide him relief but also to function. They would try and no way.". Therefore, you should be happy. More on his health: We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. Aside from"Elvis," newretellings like Netflix's "Blonde," starring Ana de Armas,"explore the widening split between (Marilyn Monroe)'s public and private selves.". Elvis Presley performs during his second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956. Really he looked disproportionate a big swollen torso and face, with relatively slim arms and legs. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. In 1967 Elvis was victim to just that, knocking himself out after falling in a bathroom. or redistributed. 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. (Photo by Gary Null & Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images), ELVIS PRESLEYS PAL RECALLS LAST TIME HE SAW THE KING: EVERYBODY HAD TEARS IN THEIR EYES. The world thinks he has everything, and yet the happiness isnt there. He wasborn inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935. ", Celeb obsessed? the excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. 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. The rest of the tour was subsequently canceled, acting for many historians as a benchmark of just how far the King had fallen from the pedestals of his youth. 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. ", WOULD ELVIS PRESLEY SURVIVE CANCEL CULTURE? Prior to his death, Presleywas visually no longer thehip-swayingElvis the Pelvis sex symbol. The colon is the longest part of the large intestine and when blocked causes a megacolon. He just took more medication to keep going. His medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. Here's why. Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins. ", "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. Lamar Fike, a member of Elvis' "Memphis Mafia"entourage, famously said Ginger "didn't give a rat's ass about him. Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. PBS reported that at the time of Presley's deathtwo pathologists "found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." Elvis Presley's former private nurse Letetia Henley Kirk has had the King on her mind. He would pass away that same year. By then, he and his wife Priscilla Presley had separated. According to Practical Pain Management irrational and illogical behaviour can also occur after sustaining a heavy blow to the head. The death of Elvis Presley came with a shock and sadness, one hot summer day--August 16th, 1977. . Contributions are tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers. ", Harry, Meghan, The Rock, Naomi Osaka: Why celebrity mental health struggles matter. He was very family-oriented, Kirk explained. His twin brother Jessie wasstillborn, saidbiography.com. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. If Presley werealive today, he would be 88. "[Those health] issues become more difficult to live with the more he tours, and he toured a great deal in those last several years. 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. Elvis approved of the idea, and the label sent a studio truck to his home. Instead, she alleged, prescription drugs came from everywhere.. He allegedly told her, "I cant baby, I cant stop right now. Dr. Howard Markel 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. It was a time when Presleys daughter Lisa Marie Presley, as a child, came to visit Graceland. This manifested most egregiously in March 1977 during two stops in Louisiana. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. One of the reasons Elvis turned to the medication was pain. A man holds newspaper announcing his death. Legal Statement. 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. He was a severely injured and ill man. Conditions such as post-concussion syndrome can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. Two-year-old Elvis with his parents Vernon and Gladys Presley in 1937 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Review: 'Elvis' is onefried peanut butter and banana sandwich of a movie, tasty but overstuffed. The 78-year-old recalled how Presley would look down as the doctors spoke with him. 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. While some claimed this was because they'd been rough enough with fans to incite lawsuits, others countered that it was due to their criticism of Elvis' drug use. They were all connected. Elvis Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. But Tennant thinks Presley had all the symptoms of EDS, including an unusual degree of flexibility and double jointness that allowed him to swing his hips and gyrate wildly. His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. He began treating the King for saddle pain in 1967 and all too soon Elvis turned into an opiate addict. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He would pass away that same year. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Elvis Presley died at 42 years oldon Aug. 16, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee. In recent years, Hollywood has tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities. Dr. The book, according to an excerpt in Salon, said it later was "established in court that during the seven and a half months preceding Elviss death, from January 1, 1977, to August 16, 1977, Dr. Nichopoulos had written prescriptions for him for at least 8,805 pills, tablets, vials, and injectables. Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in the 1950s. "One of the maids picked up the phone, and it's Ginger. Copyright 2023 Pain News Network / Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Advertising / Surveys / Donors. They have families to look after. 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