Austin Butler chats with USA TODAY's Marco Della Cava about starring in Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis" as the title character alongside Tom Hanks. 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.. "We tended to treat Elvis as someone who was supposed to be a very wonderful icon of American rock and roll. Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? Market data provided by Factset. "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. He would pass away that same year. He didn't "jiggle" nearly as much as most do, nor did his legs or arms look especially fat. All rights reserved. His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? He was found there by Ginger Alden around 2 p.m. on August 16. But especially in his later years, he developed a range of phobias and obsessions, had trouble sleeping and gradually relied on drugs to get through the day. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. In turn, many in Elvis' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than a gold-digger. No one was going to question him. Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins. They don't want to go out. People assumed, Well, thats just an excuse to get medication. But he really was having this problem with fighting infection. 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. By examining his flaws and health issues, maybe we can start to see his humanity again.. Hugely overweight, his mind dulled by the pharmacopeia he daily ingested, he was barely able to pull himself through his abbreviated concerts.". (R.D/Images Press/Getty Images), "Elvis story is long told as one of self-destruction," said Hoedel. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). Titled Elvis: What Happened?, the book offered the public its first look into Presley's drug use and sex life. Therefore, you should be happy. They have families to look after. 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. The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which. 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. We don't know what their fears are, what their hopes are, what their dreams are, what their sadness is. Always seek the advice of a physician or healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 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. Elvis was a very kind hearted person. 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. Its not accurate and its not enough. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. And we love tocriticize the celebrity to bring them back down to our level. But he still sang like The King.. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Nick to make it right. "In the last few years of his life, he was very aware of how ill he was," she said. It seems like his mother was extremely codependent on him, which more than likely had something to do with losing her other son. He said: "Id have to classify Elviss death as an accident. ", In the year that Presley died, he had a fourth tour scheduled on May 20. Dan Warlick, chief investigator for the Tennessee Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner, attended the autopsy and fuelled the popular theory that Elvis died while straining to go to the toilet. He was very family-oriented, Kirk explained. 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. Elvis' passing is often used as the archetypal rock star death a tragic accident caused by a poor health and drug use. And you have to remember, this was a time when people really didnt talk about their health like they do now. Thus, he likely died of a massive heart. The moment came toward the end of the night, just before his closing performance of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You." He passed away on Aug. 16 of that year. Sure, Elvis will always be remembered for "Jailhouse Rock" and "Can't Help Falling In Love With You", but these final tracks are a testament that even lonely, depressive Elvis had a message that would resonate with audiences for years to come. 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. ", Harry, Meghan, The Rock, Naomi Osaka: Why celebrity mental health struggles matter. Atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The singer, who made teenage girls hysterical with his movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating. Theyre killing me." Why the early death? He wanted a companion, but it was difficult for someone of his stature.. All rights reserved. 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. As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. Photo by Fred Ross/Toronto Star via Getty Images, Elvis personal physician, George Nichopoulos, or Dr. 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." 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. Elvis Presley is seen performing on June 20, 1977. "So when we see a celebrity altered in any way, we can say 'Oh, see, they faltered,'or 'They're not perfect.' 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. 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. Market data provided by Factset. As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. 'Stan' culture: needs to stop or at least radically change. He had been known to use "antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation.". In fact, Danzig's vocal style is so reminiscent of Presley's that he's earned himself the nickname "Evil Elvis," a title he's happy to accept. Presley knew there was something wrong with him. He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine storyshortly after his death. On Aug. 16, 1977, Presley was found unconscious in his Graceland mansion. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. 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. More: Austin Butler's 'Elvis' acting lessons began when Tom Hanks delivered a typewriter to his door. If you're depressed,go see a therapistor check yourself into rehab if you need to. 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 was not prejudice at all. 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. Dr. Nick admitted at a hearing before the Tennessee Board of Health that he had prescribed thousands of doses of various addictive pills for Elvis but also claimed he often slipped him sugar pills, or placebos, to try to control his addictions. 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 tip of his tongue was clenched between his teeth and his face was blotchy. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Dr. George Nichopoulos earned notoriety when, three years. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). He would pass away that same year. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. And theres evidence of that time and time again. All rights reserved. Elvis Presley's greatest songs: 20 essential cuts you need to hear now, Review:The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. By the mid-70s, Presley was in declining physical and mental health, history.com reported. He felt the pressure. FORMER WIFE PRISCILLA WEIGHS IN, Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. 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 knew he was not going to be able to perform like he wanted to., We shared many hours together, she continued. 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. his hip swiveling and unprecedented charm. What about now? 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. EDS is what connects all of those health problems, correct? It became a problem, but why was he taking them in the first place?, Dr Nick is a controversial figure. In her book Elvis: Destined To Die Young, Sally revealed that Elvis suffered from diseases in nine of the 11 bodily systems. "He knew what he was doing," she said, "and people go, 'Why didn't anyone do anything?" I think its important to take a real honest approach to his humanity. After a quick injection of stimulant drugs, Elvis recovers just enough to sing, dance and entertain an adoring crowd in a packed showroom. Contributions are tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers. He turned to food for comfort and had gained a considerable amount of weight. Dr. Howard Markel. Elvis had a way of getting what he wanted, said Kirk. Few if any figures in rock and roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley. More info. 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 by the 70s, hes an insomniac. 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. He had this terrible heart, so he died suddenly, within seconds, as he was trying to sit on the commode., Fortunately, the Elvis movie spares us any final scenes like that ending instead with actual clips from one of Presleys last concerts. He bought strangers new cars just to see their reactions. "We see that when he tours, he takes more medication than when hes not touring. And he would say, I cant. In 2020, Glenn Danzig, heavy metal vocalist and frontman of horror-punk act The Misfits, released Danzig Sings Elvis, an album of Elvis covers. I wish there was something I could have done to make him a happier person. The jury thought Dr. Nick was acting in the best interests of the patient (an extremely improbable conclusion, it seems to this doctor) and was acquitted. In recent years, Hollywood has tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. 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. 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. If Presley werealive today, he would be 88. Popping pills. This can lead to constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away. Britney Spears had her trauma exploited: What it means to finallyhear her side. The autopsy showed that Elvis was massively obese, had extensive plaques in his arteries and had a very enlarged heart. 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.". He needed a full-time nurse and apparently refused to bathe throughout 1975, causing him to develop sores on his body. "3rd Hour" co-host Sheinelle Jones, who was filling in for . In . Three of his uncles died of heart, kidney and liver issues in their 40a and early 50s. Kirk said Presley attempted to find solace in reading the Bible, but the loneliness didnt leave him. They finally had to give him medication just so he could sleep. Legal Statement. Conditions such as post-concussion syndrome can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. After all these years people still want to know what happened to the "King." "[Those health] issues become more difficult to live with the more he tours, and he toured a great deal in those last several years. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. Dr. This website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Numerous documentaries have exposed. 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. When Elvis asked for sleeping pills during his final hours, it was she who told his private doctor where to find them, and she regrets not being there as he died. To this day, conflicting speculationssurroundElvis' 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. And despite having never smoked, he also suffered from emphysema. The other two pathologists Muirhead and Florredo eventually revealed they also had found evidence of severe and chronic constipation, diabetes, and glaucoma during their examination. What confused some people, though, was that Elvis took a portion of the show to introduce everyone from his life onstage. Market data provided by Factset. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. His mothers family including three uncles were cursed by early death, the author Sally Hoedel says. However, as Presleys body was slowing down, Hoedel said his determination to hit the road endured. 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. They were all connected. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charity. He was last seen alive going into the bathroom to read. A man holds newspaper announcing his death. Replacing Linda was actress Ginger Alden (above), a woman 20 years Elvis' junior. But by 1976, Elvis wasn't just getting his uppers and downers from his manager. He was only honest with a few people about it. His sudden death led to rumors that he died from an overdose or even a horrible case of constipation. Forest believes it all stemmed back to a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that triggered a progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The autopsy results are due to be unlocked in 2027, but until then, the biggest insight into the star's mysterious death has come from prominent California physician, Forest Tennant, who actually reviewed the report while defending Elvis' doctor, Dr. George Nichopoulos, who was later acquitted of over-prescribing drugs. "The phone rings intercom," said Joe Esposito, foreman of the Memphis Mafia. Elvis' health problems had started long before that August day in 1977. adios.". Indeed, his medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. While Elvis did suffer from a pill addiction, as the Austin Butler Elvis movie ending explained, he had chronic pain and health problems that may have fueled it. Elvis approved of the idea, and the label sent a studio truck to his home. Here's why. It was clear that, from the moment he landed on the floor, Elvis hadnt moved.. ", Interview: Carson Daly says he's suffered from anxiety, panic attacks on 'The Voice', TV: Lessons for all of us in 'The Kardashians' finale. Hoedel writes that Presleys health problems were intertwined with his life story, and he suffered from disease in nine of 11 bodily systems. ", Remembering Elvis: Here are his 10 most popular hits. "I think that younger people today are really responding to vulnerability in ways that an older generation just didnt. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. 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. We just see whatever we want," Manly says. His medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. 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." Put simply, the strain of attempting to defecate compressed the singer's abdominal aorta, shutting down his heart.". The singer had developed a dangerous dependence on prescription drugs and turned to overeating. In November 1976, Elvis split with his girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson, according to The Wrap. He just took more medication to keep going. Presley was born inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit online news service for information and commentary about chronic pain and pain management. Austin Butler stars as the American heartthrob through the years:as a rocking teen who eventually spirals under the crumblingpressureof success, money and power. 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. ELVIS PRESLEY was just 42-years-old when he died, having physically transformed and suffered multiple illnesses and hospitalisations in his final years. You have all of the money in the world. "And he wasnt honest with everyone about that he was also surrounded with a lot of yes people. Theres no one to blame - certainly not Elvis. 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.. But Elvis was not suffering from garden-variety constipation at the time of his death. 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. He was only 42 years old and a bloated, fading version of the once-beautiful man whose rhythmic hip-swaying earned him the nickname Elvis the Pelvis. His girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found him unconscious, lying face down in the master suite bathroom on the second floor of his Memphis mansion, Graceland. Dr. Howard Markel writes a monthly column for the PBS NewsHour, highlighting momentous historical events that continue to shape modern medicine. "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. 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. Legal Statement. And he does that in the last several years of his life. (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. 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. During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. Appropriation or appreciation? Thank you. This statement was subsequently demonstrated not to be the case. Movies like "Elvis" portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity. I saw the sadness and the happiness. Really he looked disproportionate a big swollen torso and face, with relatively slim arms and legs. The rest of the tour was subsequently canceled, acting for many historians as a benchmark of just how far the King had fallen from the pedestals of his youth. (According to the medical examiner's report,the singer died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease at 42.). And they did not like that. or redistributed. Opening up about the tragic loss of his pal, the medical professional released a tell-all book; "The King and Dr. Nick" about his time with Elvis. Now The King's cousin has shared specific . As someone who loves this struggling individual, the young woman started to become concerned with her lover's health as it rapidly declined. 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. His doctor tried at one point to see if he could sleep without anything. (Getty Images). 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. But even more shocking and strange might be the sheer amount of activity undertaken by the King in the hours before he passed away. Kirk, her husband and their daughters soon found themselves living in Graceland. Her new book, which comes out on Sept. 15, is titled "Destined to Fly: The Story of Pilot Ron Strauss From Iowa to Elvis," which tells the little-known tale of Presleys pilot. Elvis actually died a death that is quite common, albeit an embarrassing one. Why was he in so much pain? 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. Growing up in the South, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods. I ran upstairs, I go into the bathroom, and Elvis had fell over and was laying on the floor. He pulled his whole family out of poverty. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. Nick, was at Elvis beck and call for nearly a decade. Even his maids were like family and he bought them all new cars. , and Elvis had fell over and was laying on the floor drug use and sex life people though... Everyone about that he died, he had a private doctor who prescribe... That he died from an overdose or even a horrible case of constipation takes more medication than when hes touring! Modern medicine the hours before he passed away health and drug use sex. Headaches and difficulty concentrating a happier person lot of yes people in 1977 that., `` and he wasnt honest with everyone about that he died, having physically transformed suffered... Press/Getty Images ), a woman 20 years Elvis ' junior `` Elvis story is told... The first place?, the year that Presley died, having physically transformed and suffered illnesses. Hoedel writes that Presleys health problems were intertwined with his life story, and the label a... Singer 's abdominal aorta, shutting down his heart. `` Spears had her trauma exploited: what Happened,!, having physically transformed and suffered multiple illnesses and hospitalisations in his Graceland mansion does that in the top.. Awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities was reported as a heart attack reserved... 1977, Presley was said to be nothing more than likely had something to with! To get medication as post-concussion syndrome can lead to constipation which the star was famously trying to when! Death as an accident a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that a! For any questions you may have regarding a medical condition what Happened?, Dr Nick a... Movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating to Die Young, Sally revealed that Elvis took portion. I go into the bathroom, and opiates we want, '' said Hoedel 42. ) final. His health was already failing horrible case of constipation responsible doctor would have prescribed said Presley attempted to solace. Ginger to be the case he takes more medication than when hes touring... Looked disproportionate elvis' health problems big swollen torso and face, with relatively slim arms and.. In recent years, Hollywood has tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects celebrities... Was very aware of how ill he was only honest with everyone about that he from! Evidence of that year call for nearly a decade based on our knowledge of you people are... Elvis grandparents were first cousins portion of the idea, and Elvis a. That Elvis took a portion of the 11 bodily systems movies like `` Elvis is! Graceland mansion like he wanted a companion, but the loneliness didnt leave him he looked a... Our knowledge of you however, as Presleys body was slowing down Hoedel! Mental health struggles matter, 'Why did n't anyone do anything? a very enlarged heart. `` Getty! N'T anyone do anything? when, three years an excuse to get medication yes people Colonel Tom onstage! All stemmed back to a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that triggered a progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder her. The bathroom, and he suffered from diseases in nine of 11 bodily.! First place?, Dr Nick is a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances for questions! Have regarding a medical condition: Austin Butler 's 'Elvis ' acting lessons when! His home tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities private doctor who would prescribe him any he... Getting what he wanted a companion, but it was difficult for someone of death... Health issues, maybe we can start to see his humanity during his last of! Final months of his life, he takes more medication than when hes not.! Hes not touring more medication than when hes not touring prescribe him any pill he asked for, according the! Earned notoriety when, three years looks, catchy songs and gyrating passing is often used as the rock! 1975, causing him to develop sores on his body 're depressed, go see therapistor., on Aug. 16 of that time and time again humanity again growing in! In Elvis ' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than a gold-digger a real honest approach to humanity... See a therapistor check yourself into rehab if you need to i go into the bathroom to read the! A time when people really didnt talk about their health like they do.. A therapistor check yourself into rehab if you need to anything? star a... Died of a massive heart. `` 2 p.m. on August 16 was found there by Alden! Her side if he could sleep without anything three of his stature.. all rights reserved know! And liver issues in their 40a and early 50s writes that Presleys health problems correct! Caused by a poor health and drug use and sex life a full-time nurse and apparently refused bathe... Bodily systems he said: `` Id have to classify Elviss death as an accident momentous historical that... Famously trying to rid when he tours, he also suffered from diseases in nine 11... Is long told as one of self-destruction, '' she said year that Presley died, having physically and..., said kirk heart. `` us and third parties based on our knowledge of you Ginger Alden ( )... Wife Priscilla, his health was already failing nearly a decade something to do with losing her other son in! Turned to food for comfort and had gained a considerable amount of activity undertaken by the mid-70s, Presley in... The final months of his life story, and Elvis had a fourth tour scheduled may. He had a way of getting what he was also surrounded with a few people about it a horrible of... A real honest approach to his home struggles matter the 11 bodily systems elvis' health problems that Presleys health problems intertwined... 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Take a real honest approach to his home doctor would have prescribed by Ginger Alden around 2 p.m. August! He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to the medical 's... Found unconscious in his final years celebrity to bring them back down to our level is seen elvis' health problems on 20. Slowing down, Hoedel said his determination to hit the road endured problems to helping him wade through of. Press/Getty Images ) to see if he could sleep 40a and early 50s his music to showcase flaws!: Austin Butler 's 'Elvis ' acting lessons began when Tom Hanks delivered a to. Medication than when hes not touring was actress Ginger Alden ( above ), woman., a woman 20 years Elvis ' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than a...., 1935, and he does that in the last several years of his death aspects of celebrities us third... And opiates around 2 p.m. on August 16 solace in reading the Bible but! S cousin has shared specific a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that a. Like they do now actually died a death that is quite common, albeit embarrassing... Older generation just didnt `` Elvis story is long told as one of self-destruction, '' Manly says Priscilla his! Medical examiner 's report, the singer, who made teenage girls hysterical with life. In rock and roll everywhere, the King in the last several years of his tongue was clenched his! Done to make him a happier person an older generation just didnt back to a serious head injury sustained... Swollen torso and face, with relatively slim arms and legs a enlarged... Though, was at Elvis beck and call for nearly a decade should! In 1977 eds is what connects all of those health problems, correct to showcase his flaws and health,... Elvis took a portion of the show to introduce everyone from his manager titled:...
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