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 singer, who made teenage girls hysterical with his movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating. 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 was a very spiritual person, she explained. The Presley family in general did not have a good track record for health. 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. It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. Conditions such as post-concussion syndrome can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. As a young man Elvis had been extremely fit, playing football and practicing martial arts. Psychologists say efforts to reimagine celebrities as more than their stardomand wealth succeed in destigmatizing and humanizingthe mental health conversation. But in 1976, all three were fired to "cut back on expenses." One of the first responders who arrived at Graceland after the emergency call on the day Elvis died and helped carry him . (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 excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. 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 expertsagreeElvis may have been performing at a feverish pace to meet fans' demands at the expense of his well-being. 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. his hip swiveling and unprecedented charm. His eye was staring straight ahead and blood red.". Hoedel writes that Presleys health problems were intertwined with his life story, and he suffered from disease in nine of 11 bodily systems. She credits this topublic figureslike Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish and Michael Phelps, who usetheir platforms toshare theirstruggles and help reducemental health stigma. The world thinks he has everything, and yet the happiness isnt there. Elvis at the end of his life had more issues than the biopic cared to admit. MORE: Priscilla . "When he played Vegas, he played two shows a day for 30 days thats 60 shows. 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. 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. However, though Dr. Nick was charged with 11 felony accounts of overprescribing drugs, he was acquitted the medical examiner claimed that Elvis had died of heart disease, adding, "Had these drugs not been there, he still would've died.". After all these years people still want to know what happened to the "King." By the mid-70s, Presley was in declining physical and mental health, history.com reported. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Presley was born inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977. (Red had known the singer since the '50s.) 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. Lamar Fike, a member of Elvis' "Memphis Mafia"entourage, famously said Ginger "didn't give a rat's ass about him. "A few speculated and began telling untruths regarding Elvis and me which were completely unwarranted, mean spirited and wrong.". Later that afternoon, a team of pathologists, Drs. Theyre killing me." 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. Elvis Aaron Presley died August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. 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. 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. He knew he was not going to be able to perform like he wanted to., We shared many hours together, she continued. Elvis Presley suffered eye disease glaucoma and was almost blind when he died, according to the late King of Rock's personal physician. Appropriation or appreciation? I just want the world to know what a great, intelligent, kind, spiritual individual he was. Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Now The King's cousin has shared specific . During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. He had weaknesses. This manifested most egregiously in March 1977 during two stops in Louisiana. 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. Thus, he likely died of a massive heart attack and keeled over onto the floor. "Formerly retired . And with his gruelingrecording and concert schedules, many speculated that he was strugglingwith isolation in Graceland as well as the pressures to excelafter his hiatus inthe Army and the booming popularity of The Beatles. He pitched forward onto the carpet, his rear in the air, and was dead by the time he hit the floor. 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. Others claimed he'd died from a drug overdose, but when the investigation was reopened in 1994, coroner Joseph Davis disagreed. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. "Elvis was a strong individual," stepbrother Billy Stanley reflected. ", "We don't want celebrities to actually have that picture-perfect life. 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). 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I wish there was something I could have done to make him a happier person. Five of those disease processes, Hoedel finds, were present from birth. I was very fortunate [to have known him]. ", What The Final 12 Months Of Elvis' Life Were Like, a 2019 interview with Elvis' Australian fan club. His sudden death led to rumors that he died from an overdose or even a horrible case of constipation. 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. "People become agoraphobic. "If it had been a drug overdose, [Elvis] would have slipped into an increasing state of slumber. I walked over, lifted his chin, and said, Elvis, if you talk to me, you look at me, she said. In her book Elvis: Destined To Die Young, Sally revealed that Elvis suffered from diseases in nine of the 11 bodily systems. People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. Most worrisome to his record label, RCA, was that the King had become entirely uninterested in going into the studio and recording. Growing up in the South, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods. The critics noted his weight gain when reviewing his public appearances. ", "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. ", On top of his eating habits, Presley was a long-time user ofopiates, saidPBS. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? More on his health: We didnt have the empathy to talk about Elvis health problems then. Prior to his death, Presley was visually no longer the hip-swaying "Elvis the Pelvis" sex symbol. Most challenging during Elvis' final years was his nonstop schedule of his live performances. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. And there's your clue "swollen" Elvis was retaining water big time at the time of his death. Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. adios.". Elvis Presley performing in Burbank, California, June 1968. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. (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. Elvis was a very kind hearted person. 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. 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. At 10 years old, he placed fifth inthe 1945 Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show for a solo performance without musical accompaniment, saidbiography.com. ", Review: Austin Butler rules as the King, butBaz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is an unchained mess. Austin Butler chats with USA TODAY's Marco Della Cava about starring in Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis" as the title character alongside Tom Hanks. In an exclusive interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five of these diseases had been present from his birth. 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 Presley performs in concert during his 'Aloha From Hawaii' 1972 television special. Dr. Looking back at her past, she said theres one memory that still vividly sticks out. 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. With aging, drugs, a hefty and unhealthy diet, and a hard lifestyle, health issues increase, which resulted in Elvis's death on a toilet. Elvis Presley is seen performing on June 20, 1977. A new book by Sally Hoedel argues that the singer was a sick man supporting his family and friends. 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. 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. He had back pain, digestive troubles, and eye afflictions, including glaucoma. He . 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. From my research, he was always trying to help Elvis but the line between friend and doctor got blurred, Hoedel says. "It doesn't get better than that. ", 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. "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. 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. Numerous documentaries have exposed. At 8:00 pm, Dr. Francisco, who only witnessed the autopsy, acted without the consent or agreement of the other two pathologists in announcing to the press that preliminary autopsy findings indicated that Elviss death was due to a cardiac arrhythmia and that drugs were not involved. More: Austin Butler's 'Elvis' acting lessons began when Tom Hanks delivered a typewriter to his door. (According to the medical examiner's report,the singer died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease at 42.). He had been known to use "antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation.". Dr. George Nichopoulos earned notoriety when, three years. And by the 70s, hes an insomniac. Austin Butler stars as the American heartthrob through the years:as a rocking teen who eventually spirals under the crumblingpressureof success, money and power. But according to "Elvis," overwhelming demand from fans played a part in his fall. I think he was awake for three days. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Westmoreland said she was horrified to hear that even in his condition, Presley was already gearing up for another tour. In the recent HBO documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher, the singer's longtime wife Priscilla revealed that she wasn't sure whether Elvis' death was really an accident. When critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one term used is "Fat Elvis." But certainly back in those days we didn't, Tennant explained. According to the New York Daily News, by the end of his life Elvis was consuming enough calories to feed several people every day. The death of Elvis Presley came with a shock and sadness, one hot summer day--August 16th, 1977. . Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. Dr. George Nichopoulos, aka "Dr. Nick," traveled with Elvis, and carried three suitcases of pills to make sure he could fulfill any of Elvis' needs. The doctor remained by Elvis' side during his drug addiction and where there on the tragic day of his death and claims in an autopsy, stunned medics found a four-month-old stool blocking his gut. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that . 'I couldn't be an imposter': How Austin Butler vanished into the role of Elvis Presley. The autopsy showed that Elvis was massively obese, had extensive plaques in his arteries and had a very enlarged heart. It's more difficult to project onto that person that idealof perfection.". The singer who became known as the King relied on a concoction of prescription drugs to get through daily life. 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.. 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. 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. However, another part of thelegacy of the "King of Rock 'n'Roll" is his untimely death. Here's why. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images), The fifth tour of the year, comprised of 10 cities, 10 shows in 10 days, began on June 17 and ended on June 26. Some of the symptoms of this problem include fatigue, fainting spells and high blood pressure. Todays tears belong to musical monarch Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, who died Thursday at age 76 of pancreatic cancer. Elvis Presley during a performance at NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. Popping pills. After the final recording session in October of '76, RCA set to work cobbling the tracks together into what would be Elvis' final records a fact none of them knew, but which the pained music seems to foreshadow in hindsight. "3rd Hour" co-host Sheinelle Jones, who was filling in for . ", In the book, Hoedel described how Presley would confide in backup singer Kathy Westmoreland and said his "eyes were a constant source of pain along with other ailments." 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. In 2020, Hoedel wrote a book titled "Elvis: Destined to Die Young," which explored the late music icons health history and what contributed to his early demise. Elvis was a sick man who hid a lot of his weakness to fill concert venues and support his family. Market data provided by Factset. Experts say it's common for people to detach celebrities from reality and laugh at them for entertainment and amusement. Thats not enough for a man who culturally shifted our universe. Replacing Linda was actress Ginger Alden (above), a woman 20 years Elvis' junior. Thus, he likely died of a massive heart. He once told me, You never hear Superman asking for help.", "The touring is difficult," Hoedel explained. They were all connected. Presley knew there was something wrong with him. Here's his response. 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. 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. 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. Since he died 45years ago, he has becomethe butt of "fat Elvis" jokes and is still mocked over the circumstances of his death. 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. But for Tennant, that wasn't enough to explain the long list of maladies that afflicted the rock star from the late 1960s onwards. And theres evidence of that time and time again. Suffering high blood pressure, liver damage, glaucoma and an enlarged colon Presley died of a heart attack in his bathroom, his body pumped full of prescription pills, many administered by Letetia. (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.. He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine storyshortly after his death. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Once there, doctors struggled to revive him without success and Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "Theres no specific negligence on anyones part and definitely no cover-up or conspiracy of a criminal act. He pulled his whole family out of poverty. Its not accurate and its not enough. But who knows? 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. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. 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. Moody Blue, released in February 1977, was a mix of live recordings and new studio tracks, containing two of Presley's most widely regarded songs. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, How could you possibly have problems? 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., Doctors still argue about this princes early death, How a serious illness gave Eugene ONeill his dark literary power. But he still sang like The King.. 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. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. They had a similar four-year period of degenerative health, and thats interesting because she did not take the same medication as he took.. They finally had to give him medication just so he could sleep. Well, that's not true. Similar to many who found fame in the 60s and 70s, Elvis developed a drug addiction. In November 1976, Elvis split with his girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson, according to The Wrap. As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Something went wrong, please try again later. ", In Ginger's mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance's cronies. 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. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. Entertainment and amusement Elvis Presley was a sick man supporting his family friends. Died August 16, 1977 state of slumber been present from his birth, Tennant explained '' his. Pronounced dead at 3:30 pm from birth, in Ginger 's mind these... 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