Three of his uncles died of heart, kidney and liver issues in their 40a and early 50s. His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. 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. (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. 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. In the end, he died a lonely man whose ornate home became the embodiment of Heartbreak Hotel., Left: The tip of his tongue was clenched between his teeth and his face was blotchy. Todays tears belong to musical monarch Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, who died Thursday at age 76 of pancreatic cancer. [He and Priscilla] continued to be very close via the telephone. Today, Hoedel hopes her book will encourage readers to take a look at the "human" side of Presley, a figure who was put on a pedestal for his talent and then gawked at as he tumbled. ", Remembering Elvis: Here are his 10 most popular hits. 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.. (According to the medical examiner's report,the singer died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease at 42.). ", "In the end, somebody who has a mental health issue, who is a celebrity, will often have a more difficult time because to really successfully recover from a mental health problem or addiction,you actually need a great deal of humility. Our mission is to raise awareness, connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience. Market data provided by Factset. 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." ", Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. He was depressed about aging and not having a woman he loved. But his immune system wasnt fighting off infection as it should have. In fact, Danzig's vocal style is so reminiscent of Presley's that he's earned himself the nickname "Evil Elvis," a title he's happy to accept. 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. Elvis Presley has become synonymous with many things, such asrock 'n'roll and fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. As a young man Elvis had been extremely fit, playing football and practicing martial arts. 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. "So when we see a celebrity altered in any way, we can say 'Oh, see, they faltered,'or 'They're not perfect.' Treatments for these conditions put Elvis in the hospital several times between 1973 and his death four years later. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/elvis-addiction-was-the-perfect-prescription-for-an-early-death. The drugs included uppers, downers, and powerful painkillers such as Dilaudid, Quaalude, Percodan, Demerol, and cocaine hydrochloride in quantities more appropriate for those terminally ill with cancer.". He said he has made it a point to ask every one of his patients about possible head trauma, and noted that . His mothers family including three uncles were cursed by early death, the author Sally Hoedel says. Why would you want to go out and have people staring at you and judging youall the time?" "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. (Reuters), '70S ROCK PIONEER SUZI QUATRO SAYS SHE WAS NEVER TEMPTED BY FAME: 'YOU EITHER GO MAD OR WIND UP DEAD', Kirk said she kept her stories about Presley private for 38 years before she decided to revisit them in her 2015 self-published memoir Taking Care of Elvis.. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). His official cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia. People assumed, Well, thats just an excuse to get medication. But he really was having this problem with fighting infection. By examining his flaws and health issues, maybe we can start to see his humanity again.. While he was also taking many dangerous pharmaceuticals throughout his life, it was the heart disease caused by his bad diet that ultimately killed him. They were all connected. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. While the world at large saw Elvis as the man who had it all, Letitia known to those around Elvis as "Tish" had a private window into his personal struggles. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. His eye was staring straight ahead and blood red.". The pressure to perform, the loss of privacy and the incessant public. It's more difficult to project onto that person that idealof perfection.". And they did not like that. 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. The moment came toward the end of the night, just before his closing performance of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You." In 1967 Elvis was victim to just that, knocking himself out after falling in a bathroom. 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. For Mr Tennant, one major clue was in the full-body deterioration of Elvis, with almost every organ plagued by ill health. "When Elvis wasdoing well, people were projecting onto him the rock star,sexual image …then as he began to get older and he lost the luster, people were no longer seeing him as a sex symbol, as the man of America, but they saw him as adeteriorating rock star. All rights reserved. Elvis Presley's former private nurse Letetia Henley Kirk has had the King on her mind. ", WOULD ELVIS PRESLEY SURVIVE CANCEL CULTURE? PBS reported that at the time of Presley's deathtwo pathologists "found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! They don't want to go out. (Photo by Gary Null & Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images). There, the body identified the matter as foreign and produced antibodies to destroy it, triggering hypogammaglobulinemia, a disorder of the body's immune system. 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. Contrary to popular belief, celebrities aren't immune to mental health problems. "Elvis was a strong individual," stepbrother Billy Stanley reflected. 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. Title track "Moody Blue" became Elvis' final Number One single; the song is in keeping with the pop music of the time, tinged with disco and exotica, but still showcases the warbling, lonely figure that the singer had become. When critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one term used is "Fat Elvis." The 78-year-old recalled how Presley would look down as the doctors spoke with him. Elvis Presley suffered eye disease glaucoma and was almost blind when he died, according to the late King of Rock's personal physician. 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. After the trial, Tennant remained curious about Elvis medical problems and continued his research while treating people with intractable pain. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. 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. "He was encouraged to cancel the tour. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. "He was miserable. 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. During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. Evidence from the official autopsy, medical professionals and Sallys book all point to the same thing, that Elvis had serious health issues long before his death in 1977. One of these problems was Elvis megacolon. 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. We don't know what their fears are, what their hopes are, what their dreams are, what their sadness is. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Legal Statement. The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which. 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? Five of those disease processes, she says, were present from birth. 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. His sudden death led to rumors that he died from an overdose or even a horrible case of constipation. "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. We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. He began treating the King for saddle pain in 1967 and all too soon Elvis turned into an opiate addict. '", 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. Throughout Elvis' career, he was surrounded by a crew of friends, hangers-on, and enablers that were casually dubbed the "Memphis Mafia." I think he was awake for three days. Here's his response. 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. All Rights Reserved. "Hound Dog" is an antique in 2020, but when it first premiered, it was a revolution. He had been known to use "antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation.". Please check your inbox to confirm. 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.". Now The King's cousin has shared specific . And then it became about his health He achieved the American dream, but he was also human. We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. More info. 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. He was hospitalised again in 1975 with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a condition called megacolon, whereby the large intestine becomes distended and can allow toxins to flood the body. The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. As soon as we begin to objectify real people, "we completely remove the individual's personality, their true selves. More on his health: We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. Sally A. Hoedel wrote a book about Elvis Presley's health history that was published in 2020 titled Elvis: Destined to Die Young. Legal Statement. By then, he and his wife Priscilla Presley had separated. Mourners stayed all night outside Graceland, where 42-year-old Elvis Presley died. His doctor tried at one point to see if he could sleep without anything. 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. 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. Some expertsagreeElvis may have been performing at a feverish pace to meet fans' demands at the expense of his well-being. In an exclusive interview with Elvis cousin Annie Presley, it was revealed that as a toddler Elvis had needed help clearing his bowels. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker allegedly shouted, "The only thing thats important is that hes on that stage tonight! He once said: "Presley's chronic constipation - the result of years of prescription drug abuse and high-fat, high-cholesterol gorging - brought on what's known as Valsalva's maneuver. 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. He felt the pressure. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, In an exclusive interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five of these diseases had been present from his birth. 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 was just 42-years-old when he died, having physically transformed and suffered multiple illnesses and hospitalisations in his final years. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. But according to "Elvis," overwhelming demand from fans played a part in his fall. His full medical saga has only recently begun to be thoroughly examined. Hodel claimed that Presley continued to use medication to not only provide him relief but also to function. (According to the medical examiner's report, How Austin Butler vanished into the role of Elvis Presley, Austin Butler rules as the King, butBaz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is an unchained mess, Carson Daly says he's suffered from anxiety, panic attacks on 'The Voice', Lessons for all of us in 'The Kardashians' finale. If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Why the early death? 'I couldn't be an imposter': How Austin Butler vanished into the role of Elvis Presley. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. 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. Movies like "Elvis" portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity. 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. Elvis was a very kind hearted person. That always stayed with him. 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. The truth is more complex. With aging, drugs, a hefty and unhealthy diet, and a hard lifestyle, health issues increase, which resulted in Elvis's death on a toilet. You have all of the money in the world. 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. says Rockwell, adding that "alot is given away when an artist becomes famous that they are ill-prepared for.". At his last concert, which took place in Indiana, Presley was quoted as saying, "My body really hurts, but no matter what Im going out there tonight and giving everything I have no matter what." 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. "And he wasnt honest with everyone about that he was also surrounded with a lot of yes people. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. 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. needs to stop or at least radically change. Elvis Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Howard Markel writes a monthly column for the PBS NewsHour, highlighting momentous historical events that continue to shape modern medicine. You can unsubscribe at any time. Put simply, the strain of attempting to defecate compressed the singer's abdominal aorta, shutting down his heart.". Once he strayed from his picture-perfect, seductiveimage, someridiculed and discardedhim. 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