His health issues were varied but he hid them so well that over-medication is all we remember now, Hoedel says. "I think that younger people today are really responding to vulnerability in ways that an older generation just didnt. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. That always stayed with him. But he still sang like The King.. This biographical musical drama chronicles the rock legend's rise to stardom, marriage toPriscilla Presley and overall legacy. "He was not only my patient, but a good friend," Henley later wrote in a book,via Express. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. He was later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Aside from"Elvis," newretellings like Netflix's "Blonde," starring Ana de Armas,"explore the widening split between (Marilyn Monroe)'s public and private selves.". Kirk said Presley attempted to find solace in reading the Bible, but the loneliness didnt leave him. In an exclusive interview with Elvis cousin Annie Presley, it was revealed that as a toddler Elvis had needed help clearing his bowels. Britney Spears had her trauma exploited: What it means to finallyhear her side. And you have to remember, this was a time when people really didnt talk about their health like they do now. The Presley family in general did not have a good track record for health. Dr. Howard Markel Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. 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. Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins. 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. What about now? 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. 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. Elvis just fainted.' 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. Nick, was at Elvis beck and call for nearly a decade. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. 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.. Indeed, his medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. That added a lot of strain to this health. Thats not enough for a man who culturally shifted our universe. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Most challenging during Elvis' final years was his nonstop schedule of his live performances. His untimely death was mourned by fans as many made their way to Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, to pay respects. And theres evidence of that time and time again. (Aug. 16), fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley's only daughter dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization, 'Elvis' is onefried peanut butter and banana sandwich of a movie, tasty but overstuffed. That same year, Presley became involved with 1972s Miss Tennessee Linda Thompson. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. 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. Elvis at the end of his life had more issues than the biopic cared to admit. He was miserable because hed gained so much weight. By examining his flaws and health issues, maybe we can start to see his humanity again.. 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. "Formerly retired . His eye was staring straight ahead and blood red.". Similar to many who found fame in the 60s and 70s, Elvis developed a drug addiction. Like many stars who became hugely famous before the concept of celebrity handlers had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men and sycophants. In her book Elvis: Destined To Die Young, Sally revealed that Elvis suffered from diseases in nine of the 11 bodily systems. His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. 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. But certainly back in those days we didn't, Tennant explained. Dr. Howard Markel. Market data provided by Factset. And hes the head of his whole organization. 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. Dr. George Nichopoulos earned notoriety when, three years. (Red had known the singer since the '50s.) Austin Butler chats with USA TODAY's Marco Della Cava about starring in Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis" as the title character alongside Tom Hanks. It became a problem, but why was he taking them in the first place?, Dr Nick is a controversial figure. Here is what you need to know about Elvis' death, declining health and other aspects of his life. 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. ", Celeb obsessed? 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.". Fact checking the new 'Elvis' movie: Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? The 78-year-old recalled how Presley would look down as the doctors spoke with him. More info. All rights reserved. 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. More: Austin Butler's 'Elvis' acting lessons began when Tom Hanks delivered a typewriter to his door. The pressure to perform, the loss of privacy and the incessant public. During many shows, the audience wouldn't be able to understand what he was saying, and he would often leave the stage early, unable to continue. He was a severely injured and ill man. 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." Dan Warlick, chief investigator for the Tennessee Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner, attended the autopsy and fuelled the popular theory that Elvis died while straining to go to the toilet. Elviss story is looked on as one of destruction, but it is a futile struggle to survive, through poverty and then through health issues, she says. 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.". "We tended to treat Elvis as someone who was supposed to be a very wonderful icon of American rock and roll. And he does that in the last several years of his life. 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. On the day that Presley died, the Colonel was already planning the start of his next tour. All Rights Reserved. "He was miserable. I was very fortunate [to have known him]. We just see whatever we want," Manly says. Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for July 13, Ed Sheerans wife diagnosed with tumor during pregnancy: Spiraling through depression, Prince Harry describes the rest of his life in five words amid 'Spare' fallout: 'Freedom', Chris Rock plans to address Will Smith Oscar slap in live Netflix special, Prince Harry apology 'demands' from King Charles, Prince William before coronation are 'delusional': experts, Brendan Fraser recalls near-death experience filming 'The Mummy' scene: 'I was choked out', Morgan Evans' dad recalls 'everything' being 'destroyed' in singer's life after Kelsea Ballerini divorce. He was last seen alive going into the bathroom to read. In turn, many in Elvis' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than a gold-digger. If we can strip away the negative connotations, and then look at the consequences, theres a lot of truth to be uncovered, Hoedel says. We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. By then, he and his wife Priscilla Presley had separated. "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. Kirk, her husband and their daughters soon found themselves living in Graceland. 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. "It doesn't get better than that. While this is a cruel and derogatory way to describe someone dealing with personal health problems, it's undeniable that Elvis' eating and weight issues colored his last year on Earth. 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. "You always think there was something you could have done, that he might still be alive today. When his body was discovered, attempts were made to revive him and his father, Vernon Presley, begged his son not to go. or redistributed. He had to survive extreme poverty, and then he had to survive extreme fame. Mystery has long surrounded the death of Elvis Presley after his family sealed the results of his autopsy for 50 years. Titled Elvis: What Happened?, the book offered the public its first look into Presley's drug use and sex life. Most worrisome to his record label, RCA, was that the King had become entirely uninterested in going into the studio and recording. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Even his maids were like family and he bought them all new cars. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit online news service for information and commentary about chronic pain and pain management. 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. His then-fiance Ginger Alden found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, according to PBS. He was buried on the grounds of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Kirk was working at her clinic when she received word that Presley had died. He felt the pressure. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images). According to the New York Daily News, by the end of his life Elvis was consuming enough calories to feed several people every day. Photo by Fred Ross/Toronto Star via Getty Images, Elvis personal physician, George Nichopoulos, or Dr. 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.". The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. It takes hours to die from drugs.". These interviews provided us with an extraordinary opportunity to learn about Elvis' health, personal life and legacy. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. You can unsubscribe at any time. He did start abusing drugs including amphetamines, opioids and sedatives as a teenager and is known to have had an appalling diet. Kirk first met Presley in 1968 when she treated him at a Memphis medical clinic for saddle sores, Closer Weekly reported. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "[I see it as] a story of survival. His medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. ", Harry, Meghan, The Rock, Naomi Osaka: Why celebrity mental health struggles matter. 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). But in 1976, all three were fired to "cut back on expenses." He gave his rings to his fans during concerts. Presley was a long-time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation. Elvis' drug problem was the result of prescription drugs, some of which were administered for health problems. Once there, doctors struggled to revive him without success and Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which. "Theres no specific negligence on anyones part and definitely no cover-up or conspiracy of a criminal act. Theyre killing me." 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. (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.. But when we see the complexity of starsbeyond their fame and fortune, "the public is then forced to see them as human," Manly says. The grave of singer Elvis Presley in Graceland. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. ", "We don't want celebrities to actually have that picture-perfect life. 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. And it was his girlfriend Ginger Alden who found the rock and roll star's body with his pyjama bottoms around his ankles and his bottom in the air. 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. 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? With Elvis' extraordinary pain and the fact that the pain was inside the eyeball, where the nerve fibers and blood vessels are located, the problem was extremely dangerous and could even threaten his eyesight. But according to "Elvis," overwhelming demand from fans played a part in his fall. Here's why. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. If you're depressed,go see a therapistor check yourself into rehab if you need to. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charity. 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. 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. 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. According to the outlet, Thomas left Presley a year before his death because, she said, it was exhausting watching him slowly self-destruct.. Now The King's cousin has shared specific . Elvis Presley is seen performing on June 20, 1977. 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. ", Review: Austin Butler rules as the King, butBaz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is an unchained mess. Elvis Presley's greatest songs: 20 essential cuts you need to hear now, Review:The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. 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." 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. FORMER WIFE PRISCILLA WEIGHS IN, Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. What about now? "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. The moment came toward the end of the night, just before his closing performance of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You." 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. Elvisembodied modern American youth and rock 'n'roll, changingthe course of popular music with his songs, dance moves, charisma and wardrobe. Legal Statement. Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. He pitched forward onto the carpet, his rear in the air, and was dead by the time he hit the floor. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. He pulled his whole family out of poverty. Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. Repeated head trauma can cause an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that can then attack any organ in the body. 'Ve consented to and improve our understanding of you the nurse and her country ways Star via Images! 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