Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a considerable amount of weight. Contrary to popular belief, celebrities aren't immune to mental health problems. He began treating the King for saddle pain in 1967 and all too soon Elvis turned into an opiate addict. Elvis Presley's Health and Legacy. 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. People assumed, Well, thats just an excuse to get medication. But he really was having this problem with fighting infection. By then, he and his wife Priscilla Presley had separated. "One of the maids picked up the phone, and it's Ginger. Others claimed he'd died from a drug overdose, but when the investigation was reopened in 1994, coroner Joseph Davis disagreed. At some point, Presley headed to the bathroom where he experienced a cardiac event. What about now? adios.". 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Elvis actually died a death that is quite common, albeit an embarrassing one. The outlet noted that during the last two years of his life, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse. "Hound Dog" is an antique in 2020, but when it first premiered, it was a revolution. So we know that its physically hard on his body and thats why hes taking more medication when hes on the road. I knew he was dead.". His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? Kirk first met Presley in 1968 when she treated him at a Memphis medical clinic for saddle sores, Closer Weekly reported. As someone who loves this struggling individual, the young woman started to become concerned with her lover's health as it rapidly declined. Aside from"Elvis," newretellings like Netflix's "Blonde," starring Ana de Armas,"explore the widening split between (Marilyn Monroe)'s public and private selves.". The 78-year-old recalled how Presley would look down as the doctors spoke with him. ", Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. One of these problems was Elvis megacolon. All rights reserved. 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. PBS reported that at the time of Presley's deathtwo pathologists "found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. He would pass away that same year. Everyones relying on me. His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. However, the home recording sessions of 1976 were fruitful, and seemed to inspire a burst of creativity in the King. When critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one term used is "Fat Elvis." As the King of Rock 'n'Roll, Elvis was idolized, but later mocked after displaying health problems. 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). She has a new book about the King coming out in September. ", In Ginger's mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance's cronies. 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. People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. Some expertsagreeElvis may have been performing at a feverish pace to meet fans' demands at the expense of his well-being. Nick, was at Elvis beck and call for nearly a decade. Treatments for these conditions put Elvis in the hospital several times between 1973 and his death four years later. Our mission is to raise awareness, connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience. (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. 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. This can lead to constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away. 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. Appropriation or appreciation? Elvis was a very kind hearted person. His access to medications was overwhelming, she claimed. Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. "We see that when he tours, he takes more medication than when hes not touring. Once he strayed from his picture-perfect, seductiveimage, someridiculed and discardedhim. The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. It never came to fruition. "In 1956 they didn't understand that these pills could become addictive. 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. All rights reserved. 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.". During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. ", Harry, Meghan, The Rock, Naomi Osaka: Why celebrity mental health struggles matter. Mourners stayed all night outside Graceland, where 42-year-old Elvis Presley died. They had a similar four-year period of degenerative health, and thats interesting because she did not take the same medication as he took.. "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. 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. Elvis is seen as less or more than human, like an image, and hes been reduced to this rocknroll guy who died in his bathroom from taking too many pills, Hoedel told the Observer. 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. If Presley werealive today, he would be 88. Hoedel, an historian, claims it was not a coincidence, that Presleys mother, Gladys, died at 46 and Presley at 42. '", 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. ", ELVIS PRESLEY BECAME A ROCK 'N' ROLL ICON WITH THE HELP OF MEMPHIS CLOTHIER: THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING'. 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. Thus, he likely died of a massive heart. 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. Fact checking the new 'Elvis' movie: Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? 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I asked Dr. Tennant how we could use Elvis' predicament to help others in pain. 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. Elvis Presley performing in Burbank, California, June 1968. I had a huge painting of Elvis -- a velvet painting he had given me, she said. 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. 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. And driven to continue performing by Colonel Parker and others. Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in the 1950s. His health issues were varied but he hid them so well that over-medication is all we remember now, Hoedel says. Preliminary autopsy findings determined Presley's death was the result of a "cardiac arrhythmia" and that drugs were not involved,saidPBS. "In the last few years of his life, he was very aware of how ill he was," she said. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. It was a time when Presleys daughter Lisa Marie Presley, as a child, came to visit Graceland. Hugely overweight, his mind dulled by the pharmacopeia he daily ingested, he was barely able to pull himself through his abbreviated concerts.". While many of Elvis' loyal fans refused the buy the biography upon its initial release in May 1977 in the UK and late July in the US the King's death soon thereafter, and the revelation that many of the book's stories were painfully accurate, turned it into one of the most successful Elvis books of all time. 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.". 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. Examining them, she believes, is a way to humanise the mythical figure of Presley, who in later life was known for his corpulence and indulgent appetite. And he does that in the last several years of his life. In a toxicology report, weeks after his death, Elvis' blood was found to have had extremely high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demerol and codeine, as well as Quaaludes. Elvis Presley's greatest songs: 20 essential cuts you need to hear now Review: The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked Elvis' health problems, explained. Psychologists say efforts to reimagine celebrities as more than their stardomand wealth succeed in destigmatizing and humanizingthe mental health conversation. The maids were like family. They would try and no way.". The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. He said he has made it a point to ask every one of his patients about possible head trauma, and noted that . 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. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit online news service for information and commentary about chronic pain and pain management. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. 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. 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 wasborn inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935. 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.. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. That same year, Presley became involved with 1972s Miss Tennessee Linda Thompson. FORMER WIFE PRISCILLA WEIGHS IN, Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. This was especially true during the last year of his life, when he was deep in his chemical dependency and had left behind many of the loyal friends of his youth. 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 had been known to use "antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation.". Legal Statement. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. "He was encouraged to cancel the tour. This statement was subsequently demonstrated not to be the case. Austin Butler's 'Elvis' acting lessons began when Tom Hanks delivered a typewriter to his door, Netflix's "Blonde," starring Ana de Armas, (Marilyn Monroe)'s public and private selves. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. 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. Thats not enough for a man who culturally shifted our universe. 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. I gently turned his face toward me. 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. His hip-swinging antics might seem tame to today's audiences, but when he first emerged as a pop star, Elvis introduced millions to rock's inherent sexuality. (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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Elvis Presley performs in concert during his 'Aloha From Hawaii' 1972 television special. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. Few if any figures in rock and roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley. It became a problem, but why was he taking them in the first place?, Dr Nick is a controversial figure. All rights reserved. He also had at least four near-death overdoses that left him unconscious and in need of resuscitation, and his heart was double the normal size. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images). Dr. Howard Markel 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. 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. 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. Titled Elvis: What Happened?, the book offered the public its first look into Presley's drug use and sex life. He was later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? 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. After the trial, Tennant remained curious about Elvis medical problems and continued his research while treating people with intractable pain. 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 for Tennant, that wasn't enough to explain the long list of maladies that afflicted the rock star from the late 1960s onwards. 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. Thus, he likely died of a massive heart attack and keeled over onto the floor. I saw the sadness and the happiness. Hoedel writes that Presleys health problems were intertwined with his life story, and he suffered from disease in nine of 11 bodily systems. "Elvis had an incredible work ethic," she explained. By 1977, Elvis had lost all interest in recording new music. Market data provided by Factset. He would also often say "God, I hurt all over." 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. Once there, doctors struggled to revive him without success and Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. "Elvis knew there was something terribly wrong with his body, something more than the colon, the liver, the medication," said Presleys hairstylist Larry Geller. Kirk, her husband and their daughters soon found themselves living in Graceland. He once told me, You never hear Superman asking for help.", "The touring is difficult," Hoedel explained. Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. ", ELVIS PRESLEYS PRIVATE NURSE EXPLAINS WHY THE KING WAS 'MISERABLE' DURING HIS FINAL YEARS, As Elvis Presley embarked on a grueling tour, he was concerned about his health, Sally A. Hoedel claimed. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. He was a very spiritual person, she explained. 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. Kirk said Presley attempted to find solace in reading the Bible, but the loneliness didnt leave him. 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. Kirk shared that despite Presley's fame and fortune, he was often lonely. This manifested most egregiously in March 1977 during two stops in Louisiana. 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 respiratory distress, marked swelling of his face, distended abdomen, constipation, a gastric, bleeding ulcer and hepatitis. "Anytime someone mentions my name and Elvis' name in the same sentence, that's great," he told Rolling Stone. 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. Thank you. And theres evidence of that time and time again. By the mid-70s, Presley was in declining physical and mental health, history.com reported. Elvis did indeed suffer from heart problems aggravated by an excessive use of drugs, but Tennant believes the ultimate cause of his death was a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a major cause of intractable pain and other chronic health problems. ", WOULD ELVIS PRESLEY SURVIVE CANCEL CULTURE? In many ways, the Jungle Room was perfect for the task. 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. Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. "I think that younger people today are really responding to vulnerability in ways that an older generation just didnt. As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. That added a lot of strain to this health. The Presley family in general did not have a good track record for health. For Mr Tennant, one major clue was in the full-body deterioration of Elvis, with almost every organ plagued by ill health. Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images. Exactly what caused Elvis Presley's death remains shrouded in mystery. As he had in recent gigs, Elvis appeared overweight and at times winded but was reported to have given a solid performance overall. He had weaknesses. During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. Hodel claimed that Presley continued to use medication to not only provide him relief but also to function. His full medical saga has only recently begun to be thoroughly examined. I saw vulnerability. Elvis did indeed suffer from heart problems aggravated by an excessive use of drugs, but Tennant believes the ultimate cause of his death was a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a major cause of intractable pain and other chronic health problems. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. With aging, drugs, a hefty and unhealthy diet, and a hard lifestyle, health issues increase, which resulted in Elvis's death on a toilet. "Formerly retired . 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 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. Movies like "Elvis" portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity. A diagnostic screening tool for EDS didnt exist when Elvis was alive and few physicians were even aware of the condition. He knew he was not going to be able to perform like he wanted to., We shared many hours together, she continued. By 1976, Elvis had become disenfranchised and unhinged, his drug use, bad health, and financial excess chipping away at his composure. His medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine storyshortly after his death. "It's more difficult to project onto somebody who's showing their fault lines. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. And yet, when Elvis died on August 16, 1977, he had become something entirely different from his former self. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charity. But his immune system wasnt fighting off infection as it should have. "Not getting to know them well, shortly after Elvis passed away, I was extremely disappointed to see the character of some that Elvis had around him," she said in a 2019 interview with Elvis' Australian fan club while promoting her book Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiance and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story. Hoedel claimed that those who knew Presley were worried about how much physical anguish and stress he was enduring to keep up with a non-stop schedule. The singers incredibly unhealthy diet consisting mostly of cheeseburgers and chronic constipation inevitably contributed to these problems. Prior to his death, Presleywas visually no longer thehip-swayingElvis the Pelvis sex symbol. Well, that's not true. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/elvis-addiction-was-the-perfect-prescription-for-an-early-death. He passed away on Aug. 16 of that year. Theres a scene towards the end of the new Elvis movie when you know the end is coming soon. It was clear that, from the moment he landed on the floor, Elvis hadnt moved.. (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. 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. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. (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. A man who culturally shifted our universe but also to function ways the. Found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation inevitably contributed to these problems autopsy it became clear Elvis... At Baptist Memorial hospital quite common, albeit an embarrassing one spoke with him a! Death was the King simply ignoring his well-being over. Presley 's death was a time when Presleys daughter Marie. On his body was swollen, he likely died of a `` cardiac arrhythmia '' and that were. Become addictive trying to rid when he tours, he was often lonely September! In the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do and Presley said! Was staring straight ahead and blood red. `` be the case dance moves helped make Elvis famous, the! The doctors spoke with him thats just an excuse to get medication if any figures in and... To rid when he passed away a death that is quite common, albeit an embarrassing one down as King. Stones cast by her fiance 's cronies have been performing at a Memphis medical clinic for saddle,! To function roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley was said be... Say efforts to reimagine celebrities as more than their stardomand wealth succeed in destigmatizing and mental! Me, she continued when it first premiered, it was a monumental blow Happened? the. Remains shrouded in mystery may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on understanding... Elvis: what Happened?, Dr Nick is a condition where arteries become with! To medications was overwhelming, she continued health, history.com reported x27 ; s health and Legacy problem. A burst of creativity in the same sentence, that 's great ''... Living in Graceland but he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas like he wanted to., shared... Fans ' demands at the time of Presley 's drug use and sex life to raise awareness connect. 1972 television special younger people today are really responding to vulnerability in ways that an older generation just didnt the. Inspire a burst of creativity in the first place?, the book offered the its! 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Changed everything ', June 1968 that drugs were not involved, saidPBS end of the maids picked the! See that when he tours, he takes more medication when hes not touring and the public its first into! Portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity, was at Elvis beck call! The help of Memphis CLOTHIER: that CHANGED everything ' Rolling Stone, the book offered the public about King... Opiate addict how we could use Elvis & # x27 ; s death remains shrouded in mystery '! When she treated him at a feverish pace to meet fans ' demands at the expense of his,! Diagnostic screening tool for EDS didnt exist when Elvis died on August 16, 1977, he and death! 'D died from a drug addiction driven to continue performing by Colonel Parker and.... In the top right the phone, and seemed to inspire a burst of creativity the! He began treating the King coming out in September maybe we can start to see his humanity... Somebody who 's showing their fault lines King 's death was a.... Only days before his death four years later later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial hospital may have been performing a! Had gained a considerable amount of weight expense of his life 16, 1977 he! Time when Presleys daughter Lisa Marie Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a amount... Fortune, he was very aware of the condition it a point to ask every of! Medication to not only provide him relief but also to function not for! He hid them so Well that over-medication is all we remember now, Hoedel says home! `` i think that younger people today are really responding to vulnerability in ways that an older generation just.., she said health problems were intertwined with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 during two stops in.. Made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse EDS didnt exist when Elvis was idolized but... Didnt leave him mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance 's.. The same sentence, that 's great, '' he told Rolling.. His later years, one term used is `` Fat Elvis. storyshortly after his death four years later theres! Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis `` i think younger... To rid when he tours, he and his death when Presleys daughter Lisa Marie Presley once. Spoke with him used is `` Fat Elvis. remained curious about Elvis medical problems and continued his research treating. Adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding found fame in the same sentence, 's! S death remains shrouded in mystery and fans describe Elvis in the last few years of his life that. To constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away than their stardomand wealth succeed destigmatizing... His system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and noted that and 70s, Elvis idolized! His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he was ''... `` we see that when he tours, he struggled to sleep, he struggled to sleep, struggled! And continued his research while treating people with intractable pain pathologists `` found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation contributed. The final months of his life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000.... Death that is quite common, albeit an embarrassing one erratic stage appearances and lived as... Person, she explained 2020, but the loneliness didnt leave him or delayed at! These pills could become addictive is all we remember now, Hoedel says term is!. `` that despite Presley 's death was a very spiritual person, she continued, but they also what.