He said: "Id have to classify Elviss death as an accident. Repeated head trauma can cause an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that can then attack any organ in the body. He did start abusing drugs including amphetamines, opioids and sedatives as a teenager and is known to have had an appalling diet. His then-fiance Ginger Alden found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, according to PBS. The singer, who made teenage girls hysterical with his movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating. Sally A. Hoedel wrote a book about Elvis Presley's health history that was published in 2020 titled Elvis: Destined to Die Young. "It doesn't get better than that. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). He explained: "The position of Elvis Presley's body was such that he was about to sit down on the commode when the seizure occurred. By 1977, Elvis had lost all interest in recording new music. 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. "If it had been a drug overdose, [Elvis] would have slipped into an increasing state of slumber. Mystery has long surrounded the death of Elvis Presley after his family sealed the results of his autopsy for 50 years. ", Interview: Carson Daly says he's suffered from anxiety, panic attacks on 'The Voice', TV: Lessons for all of us in 'The Kardashians' finale. One of these problems was Elvis megacolon. The pressure to perform, the loss of privacy and the incessant public. 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. Linda had been a stabilizing force in the singer's world, but she eventually left him because she wanted a more normal life. And in 2016 Garry Rodgers, a retired homicide detective and forensic coroner, told the Huffington Post that with those findings in mind, he would have attributed Elvis' death to a heart attack caused by heart disease and drug use caused by an autoimmune disease which was sparked by a brain injury. I gently raised one eyelid. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. 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. 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. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/elvis-addiction-was-the-perfect-prescription-for-an-early-death. 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. 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. The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which doctors said was likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates. 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. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. The grave of singer Elvis Presley in Graceland. This kitschy new incarnation of his identity at the time of his death what many refer to as "Old Elvis" led to him becoming a new sort of posthumous icon, with many claiming his passing was faked and that Elvis was either alive on a private island somewhere or abducted by aliens. Its not accurate and its not enough. He was terribly ill, and he died accidentally in some ways with a dentist giving him codeine for his bad tooth, and his bad teeth were also part of the same disease that gave him a bad colon and a bad eye and a bad liver. 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. Home Health News Elvis Presley health: The star was destined to die young full list of his health issues, We use your sign-up to provide content in ways youve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. 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. And yet, when Elvis died on August 16, 1977, he had become something entirely different from his former self. They really tried to push Elvis beyond his capacity in the last few years of his life. However, as Presleys body was slowing down, Hoedel said his determination to hit the road endured. So what had caused all of these disease processes in his stomach, liver, lungs, heart, spine, eyes and bowel? (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. 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. This statement was subsequently demonstrated not to be the case. "Formerly retired . Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. He pitched forward onto the carpet, his rear in the air, and was dead by the time he hit the floor. I gently turned his face toward me. I just want the world to know what a great, intelligent, kind, spiritual individual he was. That haunts me.". Hoedel, an historian, claims it was not a coincidence, that Presleys mother, Gladys, died at 46 and Presley at 42. Subsequent armchair diagnosticians (and a few geneticists who claimed to have a lock of Elviss hair and performed a DNA analysis of it) have suggested Elvis had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle in which there is thickening of the hearts walls, weakening and enlargement of the muscle itself, and, ultimately heart failure or sudden cardiac death. (Photo by Gary Null & Frank Carroll/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images). In 1980, the not-so-good doctor was indicted again for overprescribing to Presley as well as Jerry Lee Lewis, but was acquitted again. However, the home recording sessions of 1976 were fruitful, and seemed to inspire a burst of creativity in the King. "He knew what he was doing," she said, "and people go, 'Why didn't anyone do anything?" The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. Treatments for these conditions put Elvis in the hospital several times between 1973 and his death four years later. 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. Dr. George Nichopoulos earned notoriety when, three years. (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. Here's why. 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. Psychologists say efforts to reimagine celebrities as more than their stardomand wealth succeed in destigmatizing and humanizingthe mental health conversation. 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. Elvis Presley collector reveals why the King is more valuable 45 years after his death. 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. Once there, doctors struggled to revive him without success and Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm. But now, "Elvis" (in theaters) strives to humanize the legendary singer beyond his musical abilities. What were Elvis Presley's health issues that plagued him during his short life? 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. The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. 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. Some experts agree Elvis may have been performing at a feverish pace to meet fans' demands at the expense of his well-being. PBS reported that at the time of Presley's deathtwo pathologists "found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." ", Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. 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). His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. They show a tired and very sick man, aged beyond his years and sweating profusely. Priscilla pointed out that Elvis had written a note to friend and "Memphis Mafia" member Joe Esposito, which stated, "I'm sick and tired of my life. Most challenging during Elvis' final years was his nonstop schedule of his live performances. Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. Titled Elvis: What Happened?, the book offered the public its first look into Presley's drug use and sex life. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. This manifested most egregiously in March 1977 during two stops in Louisiana. ", What The Final 12 Months Of Elvis' Life Were Like, a 2019 interview with Elvis' Australian fan club. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. Elvis had divorced his wife Priscilla Presley in 1973, and developed a dependence on prescription drugs to get through the day, all while maintaining a grueling schedule. I think he was awake for three days. Now The King's cousin has shared specific . So when he was sick, he didnt stop as he should have. 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 depressed about aging and not having a woman he loved. As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. 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 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. 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. Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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. It was a time when Presleys daughter Lisa Marie Presley, as a child, came to visit Graceland. The moment came toward the end of the night, just before his closing performance of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You." He was very family-oriented, Kirk explained. He gave his rings to his fans during concerts. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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." As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. ", CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. (CBS via Getty Images). This can lead to constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away. He was not prejudice at all. Legal Statement. Westmoreland said she was horrified to hear that even in his condition, Presley was already gearing up for another tour. Please check your inbox to confirm. He abused antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation. If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). (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. And he does that in the last several years of his life. "Elvis had an incredible work ethic," she explained. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. 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. "You always think there was something you could have done, that he might still be alive today. As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. And despite having never smoked, he also suffered from emphysema. In a toxicology report, weeks after his death, Elvis' blood was found to have hadextremely high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demeroland codeine,as well as Quaaludes. 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. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? "In the last few years of his life, he was very aware of how ill he was," she said. He was only honest with a few people about it. Market data provided by Factset. 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. Even his maids were like family and he bought them all new cars. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. He had weaknesses. In the last years of his life, he suffered from many heart-attack-provoking factors: a high-sugar, high-fat diet high blood pressure chronic insomnia liver damage rheumatoid arthritis chronic drug addiction His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. And he would say, I cant. According to Elvis' longtime friend and hairdresser Larry Geller, the star was ready to turn his life around in the months leading up to his passing at age 42 in August 1977. ELVIS PRESLEYS PAL WINK MARTINDALE REVEALS WHY HE BROKE DOWN AFTER SEEING THE KING FOR THE LAST TIME, Linda Thompson (left) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley and her parents. Most worrisome to his record label, RCA, was that the King had become entirely uninterested in going into the studio and recording. Kirk was working at her clinic when she received word that Presley had died. And they did not like 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 Presley suffered eye disease glaucoma and was almost blind when he died, according to the late King of Rock's personal physician. 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. Here is what you need to know about Elvis' death, declining health and other aspects of his life. "Hound Dog" is an antique in 2020, but when it first premiered, it was a revolution. But certainly back in those days we didn't, Tennant explained. Elvis Presley's greatest songs: 20 essential cuts you need to hear now, Review:The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. the excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. 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. Elvis Presley performs during his second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956. 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. The singers incredibly unhealthy diet consisting mostly of cheeseburgers and chronic constipation inevitably contributed to these problems. People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. Despite his introverted personality, Presley had immense musical talent. … We really aren't happy for them, because we want that life, too, and we can't get it," Rockwell says. 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. To this day, conflicting speculationssurroundElvis' death. Contrary to popular belief, celebrities aren't immune to mental health problems. And by the 70s, hes an insomniac. Everyones relying on me. 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