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. (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. "Elvis had an incredible work ethic," she explained. 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. "He believed he could conquer all his problems himself. Deeply depressed. Presley knew there was something wrong with him. He would have pulled up his pajama bottoms and crawled to the door to seek help. When his body was discovered, attempts were made to revive him and his father, Vernon Presley, begged his son not to go. 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. People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. ELVIS PRESLEY was just 42-years-old when he died, having physically transformed and suffered multiple illnesses and hospitalisations in his final years. The drugs included uppers, downers, and powerful painkillers such as Dilaudid, Quaalude, Percodan, Demerol, and cocaine hydrochloride in quantities more appropriate for those terminally ill with cancer.". 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. Subscribe to Heres the Deal, our politics Since he died 45years ago, he has becomethe butt of "fat Elvis" jokes and is still mocked over the circumstances of his death. (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. 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. Everyones relying on me. "When Elvis wasdoing well, people were projecting onto him the rock star,sexual image …then as he began to get older and he lost the luster, people were no longer seeing him as a sex symbol, as the man of America, but they saw him as adeteriorating rock star. Sally A. Hoedel wrote a book about Elvis Presley's health history that was published in 2020 titled Elvis: Destined to Die Young. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. His health issues, often written off as resulting from prescription drug abuse enabled by his infamous doctor, George Nick Nichopoulos, could therefore be attributed in the first instance not to over-medication but to health problems that Presley and his doctors were trying to treat. He was trying to function within his reality., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Its not accurate and its not enough. Elvisembodied modern American youth and rock 'n'roll, changingthe course of popular music with his songs, dance moves, charisma and wardrobe. Contributions are tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers. or redistributed. "[I see it as] a story of survival. 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. (According to the medical examiner's report, How Austin Butler vanished into the role of Elvis Presley, Austin Butler rules as the King, butBaz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is an unchained mess, Carson Daly says he's suffered from anxiety, panic attacks on 'The Voice', Lessons for all of us in 'The Kardashians' finale. 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. Kirk was working at her clinic when she received word that Presley had died. "Anytime someone mentions my name and Elvis' name in the same sentence, that's great," he told Rolling Stone. In November 1976, Elvis split with his girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson, according to The Wrap. All rights reserved. In 1981, Tennant was hired by an attorney for Dr. George Nichopoulos (Dr. Nick), who faced criminal charges in Presleys death. Nick to make it right. Three of his uncles died of heart, kidney and liver issues in their 40a and early 50s. In many ways, the Jungle Room was perfect for the task. 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. "He was not only my patient, but a good friend," Henley later wrote in a book,via Express. 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. It never came to fruition. He was buried on the grounds of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. ", Celeb obsessed? Kirk first met Presley in 1968 when she treated him at a Memphis medical clinic for saddle sores, Closer Weekly reported. She walked past the painting, and she took her little fingers and blew a kiss and said, I love you, daddy. I melted right away.. But the extent of his health problems were not truly understood until after he had passed away. The setlist included many of his classic hits like "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Jailhouse Rock," as well as newer numbers like "Hurt" and his cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Presleys forebears may have made marriage choices because of poverty and proximity, but Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt married to keep wealth in the family. So what had caused all of these disease processes in his stomach, liver, lungs, heart, spine, eyes and bowel? "Formerly retired . Hoedel writes that Presleys health problems were intertwined with his life story, and he suffered from disease in nine of 11 bodily systems. 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In turn, many in Elvis' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than a gold-digger. ELVIS PRESLEY'S CO-STAR IRENE TSU RECALLS BEFRIENDING THE KING ON SET: 'HE WAS VERY GENEROUS AND CARING', Elvis Presley during a performance at NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. 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. ", In Ginger's mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance's cronies. Forest believes it all stemmed back to a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that triggered a progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder. His twin brother Jessie wasstillborn, saidbiography.com. But who knows? https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/elvis-addiction-was-the-perfect-prescription-for-an-early-death. 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. 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. While this is a cruel and derogatory way to describe someone dealing with personal health problems, it's undeniable that Elvis' eating and weight issues colored his last year on Earth. And he would say, I cant. 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. He said: "Id have to classify Elviss death as an accident. He was last seen alive going into the bathroom to read. 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. But now, "Elvis" (in theaters) strives to humanize the legendary singer beyond his musical abilities. 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. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. 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. This infamous sandwich would bemade with an entire stick of melted butter, as shown byMary Jenkins, former cook at Graceland, duringa 1987 appearance on "Letterman. If he didn't prescribe the pills to Elvis, someone else would, and at least this way he wouldn't get them off the street. Like many stars who became hugely famous before the concept of celebrity handlers had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men and sycophants. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker allegedly shouted, "The only thing thats important is that hes on that stage tonight! A diagnostic screening tool for EDS didnt exist when Elvis was alive and few physicians were even aware of the condition. In . The outlet noted that during the last two years of his life, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse. As someone who loves this struggling individual, the young woman started to become concerned with her lover's health as it rapidly declined. Some of the symptoms of this problem include fatigue, fainting spells and high blood pressure. 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. Whats Missing in Elvis Movie: The Kings Chronic Illness, The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley.. They would try and no way.". Here's why. 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. He had back pain, digestive troubles, and eye afflictions, including glaucoma. Dr. Howard Markel writes a monthly column for the PBS NewsHour, highlighting momentous historical events that continue to shape modern medicine. Elvis' health problems had started long before that August day in 1977. In an exclusive interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five of these diseases had been present from his birth. In an exclusive interview with Elvis cousin Annie Presley, it was revealed that as a toddler Elvis had needed help clearing his bowels. 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. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. 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. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. Elvis Presley, who died 44 years ago this month, was not a drug abuser in the typical rocknroll lifestyle sense, a new book claims, but he was medicating to address a series of congenital illnesses. ", 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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). It takes hours to die from drugs.". 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. 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. Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. Theyre killing me." 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' 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. ", 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. 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. Conditions such as post-concussion syndrome can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. 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. I was very fortunate [to have known him]. 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. Elvis Presleys former private nurse Letetia Henley Kirk has had the King on her mind. The singer had developed a dangerous dependence on prescription drugs and turned to overeating. "He was miserable. Presley had recorded tracks at home in Palm Springs in 1973 to great success, and said that he enjoyed being in a room with his fellow musicians to feed off their emotions so why not set up a mobile studio in Graceland? 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. They have families to look after. His sudden death led to rumors that he died from an overdose or even a horrible case of constipation. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. By the mid-70s, Presley was in declining physical and mental health, history.com reported. Dr. George Nichopoulos earned notoriety when, three years. But for Tennant, that wasn't enough to explain the long list of maladies that afflicted the rock star from the late 1960s onwards. These efforts do not right the wrongs of the past. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. His doctor tried at one point to see if he could sleep without anything. Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a considerable amount of weight. Among Presleys ailments attributed to his genes were alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which can attack the lungs and liver; colon issues; an immune deficiency and lifelong insomnia. 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. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). He had been known to use "antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation.". "It doesn't get better than that. Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. When Elvis catapulted into fame with his legendary pompadour and pelvic gyrations, America swooned. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. ", Remembering Elvis: Here are his 10 most popular hits. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images). His eye was staring straight ahead and blood red.". 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. Thats not enough for a man who culturally shifted our universe. EDS is a genetic connective tissue collagen disorder, and what that means is that you are genetically predetermined to have your collagen in certain tissues either disappear or deteriorate or become defective, and to put it bluntly, you can have a rectal problem and an eye problem at the same time due to the same cause because your collagen is deteriorating in these tissues, Tennant told my colleague Donna Gregory Burch in a 2021 interview. I walked over, lifted his chin, and said, Elvis, if you talk to me, you look at me, she said. He said he has made it a point to ask every one of his patients about possible head trauma, and noted that . By the time hes touring again in the 70s, he was providing for more than 100 people. According to the outlet, Thomas left Presley a year before his death because, she said, it was exhausting watching him slowly self-destruct.. 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. "We tended to treat Elvis as someone who was supposed to be a very wonderful icon of American rock and roll. ", WOULD ELVIS PRESLEY SURVIVE CANCEL CULTURE? ' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than 100 people not tell Elvis what to do you... Henley kirk has had the King 's death was reported as a recluse barbiturates, and took... Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images ) was a monumental blow only patient. 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