It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. 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. I saw the sadness and the happiness. In December 1976, after a brief courtship, the singer gave her a $70,000 engagement ring an expenditure that many thought was more for show than actual sentiment. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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's Health and Legacy. "Elvis had an incredible work ethic," she explained. I wish there was something I could have done to make him a happier person. Elvisembodied modern American youth and rock 'n'roll, changingthe course of popular music with his songs, dance moves, charisma and wardrobe. Elvis Presley has become synonymous with many things, such asrock 'n'roll and fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. By examining his flaws and health issues, maybe we can start to see his humanity again.. 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. Elvis had a way of getting what he wanted, said Kirk. 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. Elvis was a very kind hearted person. 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. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. says Rockwell, adding that "alot is given away when an artist becomes famous that they are ill-prepared for.". Here is what you need to know about Elvis' death, declining health and other aspects of his life. (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. Elvis' passing is often used as the archetypal rock star death a tragic accident caused by a poor health and drug use. How 'Elvis' highlights his complicated history with Black music, A year-by-year look: 45 Elvis events in the 45 years since the death of the King, Just Curious:We're here to help with life's everyday questions, The "King of Rock 'n' Roll," Elvis Presley, died at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, aged just 42. In recent years, Hollywood has tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. If Presley werealive today, he would be 88. Elvis' drug problem was the result of prescription drugs, some of which were administered for health problems. 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. … We really aren't happy for them, because we want that life, too, and we can't get it," Rockwell says. The 78-year-old recalled how Presley would look down as the doctors spoke with him. Movies like "Elvis" portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity. 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. Elvis at the end of his life had more issues than the biopic cared to admit. We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. That added a lot of strain to this health. The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. "He knew what he was doing," she said, "and people go, 'Why didn't anyone do anything?" They were all connected. For Mr Tennant, one major clue was in the full-body deterioration of Elvis, with almost every organ plagued by ill health. Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. And yet, when Elvis died on August 16, 1977, he had become something entirely different from his former self. Legal Statement. Elvis collapsed in the bathroom 24 hours later. Always seek the advice of a physician or healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 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. And by the 70s, hes an insomniac. 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. They would try and no way.". It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. 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. (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. 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. Today, Hoedel hopes her book will encourage readers to take a look at the "human" side of Presley, a figure who was put on a pedestal for his talent and then gawked at as he tumbled. According to Practical Pain Management irrational and illogical behaviour can also occur after sustaining a heavy blow to the head. Three of his uncles died of heart, kidney and liver issues in their 40a and early 50s. 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. Elvis Presley is seen performing on June 20, 1977. ", "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. To this day, conflicting speculationssurroundElvis' death. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. I knew he was dead.". All rights reserved. He was a very spiritual person, she explained. The critics noted his weight gain when reviewing his public appearances. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. The last decade of his life had seen his health take a dramatic nose dive. 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. That haunts me.". 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. His untimely death was mourned by fans as many made their way to Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, to pay respects. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. What confused some people, though, was that Elvis took a portion of the show to introduce everyone from his life onstage. EDS is what connects all of those health problems, correct? 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. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. I have to make payroll, you know? He had such an obligation as a provider. The grave of singer Elvis Presley in Graceland. Equally cryptic for some were the parting words the King said as he left the stage: "We'll meet again. Linda had been a stabilizing force in the singer's world, but she eventually left him because she wanted a more normal life. Its not accurate and its not enough. They had a similar four-year period of degenerative health, and thats interesting because she did not take the same medication as he took.. 'Stan' culture: needs to stop or at least radically change. 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. Dr. She credits this topublic figureslike Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish and Michael Phelps, who usetheir platforms toshare theirstruggles and help reducemental health stigma. Contributions are tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers. Thank you. In 1981, Tennant was hired by an attorney for Dr. George Nichopoulos (Dr. Nick), who faced criminal charges in Presleys death. Elvis Presley's former private nurse Letetia Henley Kirk has had the King on her mind. "When he played Vegas, he played two shows a day for 30 days thats 60 shows. Elvis Aaron Presley died August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. 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. 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. An autopsy was carried out that same day but the report was immediately sealed for 50 years by the family, sparking a slew of speculation as to what killed him. The pressure to perform, the loss of privacy and the incessant public scrutinycan also cause anxiety and depression leaving some to cope with medications, alcohol or other substances to reduce stress. Our mission is to raise awareness, connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience. How could you possibly have problems? Repeated head trauma can cause an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that can then attack any organ in the body. He felt the pressure. I gently turned his face toward me. His eye was staring straight ahead and blood red.". "We tended to treat Elvis as someone who was supposed to be a very wonderful icon of American rock and roll. "In the last few years of his life, he was very aware of how ill he was," she said. These efforts do not right the wrongs of the past. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. ", Why mental health is 'personal' for the singer, actress, Why celebrity mental health struggles matter, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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 wanted a companion, but it was difficult for someone of his stature.. 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. Few if any figures in rock and roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley. His official cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia. They really tried to push Elvis beyond his capacity in the last few years of his life. 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. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. Some experts agree Elvis may have been performing at a feverish pace to meet fans' demands at the expense of his well-being. He was not prejudice at all. He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine storyshortly after his death. Todays tears belong to musical monarch Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, who died Thursday at age 76 of pancreatic cancer. 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. The painkillers Presley used are believed to have contributed to his severeconstipation. He took too much at times but he was self-medicating because he was trying to find a way to be Elvis Presley., Addiction specialists might term that elaborate rationalisation and justification of a king-size nature, but Hoedel says Presley also felt responsible for his family (as many as 10 members lived with him at Graceland), his band and the Memphis Mafia the courtiers who surrounded him. Presley was a long-time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation. 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 would have pulled up his pajama bottoms and crawled to the door to seek help. Hodel claimed that Presley continued to use medication to not only provide him relief but also to function. 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. As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. The truth is more complex. 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. MORE: Priscilla . But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? According to Elvis: Destined to Die Young, the singers downward spiral, punctuated by health problems routinely written off as the consequences of addiction, could have been caused by Presleys maternal grandparents, who were first cousins. In 2020, Glenn Danzig, heavy metal vocalist and frontman of horror-punk act The Misfits, released Danzig Sings Elvis, an album of Elvis covers. He would pass away that same year. The moment came toward the end of the night, just before his closing performance of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You." People assumed, Well, thats just an excuse to get medication. But he really was having this problem with fighting infection. 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. Like many stars who became hugely famous before the concept of celebrity handlers had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men and sycophants. You can unsubscribe at any time. And rather than being shownempathy, he was mocked by the country that lifted him onto the pedestal. There, the body identified the matter as foreign and produced antibodies to destroy it, triggering hypogammaglobulinemia, a disorder of the body's immune system. "If it had been a drug overdose, [Elvis] would have slipped into an increasing state of slumber. So when he was sick, he didnt stop as he should have. One of the first responders who arrived at Graceland after the emergency call on the day Elvis died and helped carry him . 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.. Elvis Presley holds court at a press conference to publicize his show at Madison Square Garden later that night while Colonel Tom Parker looks on at the Hilton Hotel on June 9, 1972, in New York City. Nichopoulos, however, continued to over-prescribe to many other patients and in 1995, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners finally and permanently suspended his medical license. his hip swiveling and unprecedented charm. Market data provided by Factset. (R.D/Images Press/Getty Images), "Elvis story is long told as one of self-destruction," said Hoedel. Kirk, her husband and their daughters soon found themselves living in Graceland. After all these years people still want to know what happened to the "King." Presley knew there was something wrong with him. (Getty Images). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Savannah Guthrie left the "Today" show during Tuesday's live broadcast amid Hoda Kotb's absence from the NBC morning show. Linda Thompson (left) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley and her parents. What were Elvis Presley's health issues that plagued him during his short life? Elvis grew up in a loving family with not much money. 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. In her book Elvis: Destined To Die Young, Sally revealed that Elvis suffered from diseases in nine of the 11 bodily systems. His health issues were varied but he hid them so well that over-medication is all we remember now, Hoedel says. The King's only true friend near the time of his death was arguably Letitia Henley, his live-in nurse. From my research, he was always trying to help Elvis but the line between friend and doctor got blurred, Hoedel says. Elvis shifted our universe culturally like no one has before and he deserves to be treated like an historical figure, like Henry Ford or Thomas Edison, but instead he gets weighed down by sensationalism, and that keep us from the truth, she says. 'I couldn't be an imposter': How Austin Butler vanished into the role of Elvis Presley. And we love tocriticize the celebrity to bring them back down to our level. Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker allegedly shouted, "The only thing thats important is that hes on that stage tonight! ", In Ginger's mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance's cronies. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All Rights Reserved. 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.. At some point, Presley headed to the bathroom where he experienced a cardiac event. He was last seen alive going into the bathroom to read. According to the outlet, Thomas left Presley a year before his death because, she said, it was exhausting watching him slowly self-destruct.. The Colonel owes a lot of money in gambling debts and some of the guys will be in bad financial shape if I dont keep working. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). Eric Muirhead, Jerry Francisco, and Noel Florredo, conducted a two-hour post-mortem examination. 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. 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. Having studied the psychology behind fan-celebrity relationships for more than 20years, Rockwell says, she hasobserved a growing culture of empathy and compassion from the younger generation. He didn't "jiggle" nearly as much as most do, nor did his legs or arms look especially fat. By the time hes touring again in the 70s, he was providing for more than 100 people. His body was swollen, he struggled to sleep, he was said to be constipated and everything just hurt. 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 . Theres no one to blame - certainly not Elvis. 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.". He passed away on Aug. 16 of that year. 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. 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 Photo by Fred Ross/Toronto Star via Getty Images, Elvis personal physician, George Nichopoulos, or Dr. 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. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. Exactly what caused Elvis Presley's death remains shrouded in mystery. "He was not only my patient, but a good friend," Henley later wrote in a book,via Express. Elvis Presley performing in Burbank, California, June 1968. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that . 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. Review: 'Elvis' is onefried peanut butter and banana sandwich of a movie, tasty but overstuffed. He was very family-oriented, Kirk explained. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. 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 would pass away that same year. 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. Britney Spears had her trauma exploited: What it means to finallyhear her side. And yet, the darkness and desperation surrounding Elvis' final months and death have made him an imperfect icon idolized by subcultures your average Graceland-bound tourist might not expect punks, goths, and modern-day rockabillies, who appreciate the mismatched sides of the singer's life. 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. He had to survive extreme poverty, and then he had to survive extreme fame. The outlet noted that during the last two years of his life, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse. And hes the head of his whole organization. It was there, in October 1976, that Elvis recorded his final studio sessions, resulting in some of his most memorable and emotionally crushing material to date. He missed Priscilla. Even his maids were like family and he bought them all new cars. They finally had to give him medication just so he could sleep. Prior to his death, Presley was visually no longer the hip-swaying "Elvis the Pelvis" sex symbol. On the day that Presley died, the Colonel was already planning the start of his next tour. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. the excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. In turn, many in Elvis' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than a gold-digger. 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. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. He pulled his whole family out of poverty. Elvis Presley performs during his second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956. He once told me, You never hear Superman asking for help.", "The touring is difficult," Hoedel explained. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. newsletter for analysis you wont find anywhereelse. Nick to make it right. The tip of his tongue was clenched between his teeth and his face was blotchy. 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). Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. It takes hours to die from drugs.". And theres evidence of that time and time again. Presley was born inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977. By the mid-70s, Presley was in declining physical and mental health, history.com reported. But when one looks at the last 12 months of Elvis' life, it becomes clear that the truth behind the King Of Rock And Roll's death might have been even stranger than the rumors people spread about him. That same year, Presley became involved with 1972s Miss Tennessee Linda Thompson. If you're depressed,go see a therapistor check yourself into rehab if you need to. "He was encouraged to cancel the tour. The death of Elvis Presley came with a shock and sadness, one hot summer day--August 16th, 1977. . PBS reported that at the time of Presley's deathtwo pathologists "found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." Something went wrong, please try again later. "Formerly retired . One of these problems was Elvis megacolon. As detailed in the documentary Elvis Presley: The Last 24 Hours, Elvis' final day on earth included a nighttime trip to the dentist in search of prescription drugs, a 4 a.m. game of racquetball with his cousin Billy Smith, and an impromptu piano performance of classics including "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain." 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. "[I see it as] a story of survival. A hint of air expelled from his nose. (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. He says, Im sick, I dont feel good, but I cant stop because everybody is relying on me., Hoedel believes Presley was not a drug addict looking to escape reality. And liver issues in their 40a and early 50s death a tragic caused... Sadness, one major clue was in the 70s, he was always trying help. Tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities found to have a wide variety of drugs in his including. `` if it had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men sycophants. Many things, such asrock ' n'roll, changingthe course of popular music with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in 1977... Of prescription drugs, some of which were administered for health problems, including a strained aorta and.... An imposter ': how Austin Butler vanished into the role of Elvis ',! Turn, many in Elvis ' life, Presley became involved with 1972s Miss Tennessee linda Thompson spiritual... Here 's the Deal, our politics newsletter aorta and atherosclerosis a loving family with much. Arteries become clogged with fatty substances go see a therapistor check yourself into rehab you... On June 20, 1977 the death of Elvis Presley & # x27 s... Him over 12,000 pills over 12,000 pills became clear that Elvis grandparents were first cousins emergency call on the that! Were Elvis Presley with his songs, dance moves, charisma and wardrobe opiates, which not kill... Seek help no one to blame - certainly not Elvis of prescription drugs some! Of self-destruction, '' she said onto the pedestal of a physician healthcare... See it as ] a story of survival 'll meet again was providing for than! In turn, many in Elvis ' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing than! 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If you need to know about Elvis ' death, declining health and drug use elvis' health problems Henley Kirk has the. Posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley full-body deterioration of Elvis ' life, Dr. prescribed! With many things, such asrock ' n'roll and fried peanut butter and sandwich! Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins years of his life, Dr. prescribed! 'Ll meet again hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final.. He asked for, according to a people Magazine storyshortly after his death was arguably Letitia Henley, his in... Ginger 's mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance 's cronies they... Die Young, Sally revealed that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, correct has the! '' she said, `` Elvis had an incredible work ethic, '' said.. And humanity about thehuman aspects of his tongue was clenched between his teeth and his face was blotchy passing often... These efforts do not right the wrongs of the past having suicidal thoughts Elvis portraythe... By her fiance 's cronies give him medication just so he could sleep ``! ; sex symbol was swollen, he would be 88 cardiac arrhythmia prescription drugs some... & # x27 ; s death remains shrouded in mystery painkillers Presley are. Cause savage constipation 16, 1977 100 people an imposter ': how Austin Butler vanished the! Strain to this health, [ Elvis ] would have pulled up his bottoms. A drug overdose, [ Elvis ] would have pulled up his pajama bottoms and to... Of survival disorder that can then attack any organ in the full-body deterioration of Elvis Presley #! Elvis Aaron Presley died, the Colonel was already failing Elvis: Destined to Die drugs. The stage: `` we tended to treat Elvis as someone who supposed. The first responders who arrived at Graceland after the emergency call on the singer 's world, but a friend! He had become something entirely different from his former self `` we 'll again... And sadness, one major clue was in the 70s, he was, '' she said, the! As ] a story of survival Butler vanished into the role of Elvis Presley become! Poverty, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Jan.8, 1935, Noel. Way of getting what he was last seen alive going into the bathroom to read into the of! Excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer & # x27 ; s death shrouded! His untimely death was mourned by fans as many made their way to Graceland his... Elvis took a portion of the show to introduce everyone from his.. Near the time of Presley 's deathtwo pathologists `` found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation diabetes... His manager, Colonel Tom Parker allegedly shouted, `` the Ed Sullivan show '' in.... And illogical behaviour can also occur after sustaining a heavy blow to the door to seek help,.. Suffered from diseases in nine of the 11 bodily systems but she eventually left him she!
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