elvis' health problems

", Remembering Elvis: Here are his 10 most popular hits. The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. Nick, was at Elvis beck and call for nearly a decade. 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. "He was miserable. Elvis Presley's Health and Legacy. Linda Thompson (left) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley and her parents. Hoedel, a lifelong fan, believes that much of the reams of literature about the singer, starting with Albert Goldmans 1981 Elvis, have distorted his image, and she believes that a revision is overdue. The colon is the longest part of the large intestine and when blocked causes a megacolon. 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.. His mothers family including three uncles were cursed by early death, the author Sally Hoedel says. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Throughout Elvis' career, he was surrounded by a crew of friends, hangers-on, and enablers that were casually dubbed the "Memphis Mafia." 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? He knew he was not going to be able to perform like he wanted to., We shared many hours together, she continued. This statement was subsequently demonstrated not to be the case. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! As he had in recent gigs, Elvis appeared overweight and at times winded but was reported to have given a solid performance overall. Selena Gomez at the White House: Why mental health is 'personal' for the singer, actress, "What will create a better and more empathic relationship between fans and celebrities ismore celebrities empowering themselves to speak out about their authentic being,"Rockwellsays. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. Instead, she alleged, prescription drugs came from everywhere.. It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. Why would you want to go out and have people staring at you and judging youall the time?" Presleys forebears may have made marriage choices because of poverty and proximity, but Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt married to keep wealth in the family. 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. This manifested most egregiously in March 1977 during two stops in Louisiana. Lamar Fike, a member of Elvis' "Memphis Mafia"entourage, famously said Ginger "didn't give a rat's ass about him. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. 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. His sudden death led to rumors that he died from an overdose or even a horrible case of constipation. Had he had immediate medical attention, theres a big possibility [he might have lived], she said. A doe-eyed boy from the South whose unique mix of barking and crooning made him both a rebel and a heartthrob, Elvis changed the way the world thought about music, pop culture, and celebrity. "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. Copyright 2023 Pain News Network / Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Advertising / Surveys / Donors. 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." ", "Its been documented that right before he went on his last tour, he had phone conversations with several people where he said, I just dont feel good,'" she shared. Lisa Marie Presley dies: Elvis Presley's only daughter dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization. Some of the symptoms of this problem include fatigue, fainting spells and high blood pressure. 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. Market data provided by Factset. 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. If we can strip away the negative connotations, and then look at the consequences, theres a lot of truth to be uncovered, Hoedel says. Market data provided by Factset. Replacing Linda was actress Ginger Alden (above), a woman 20 years Elvis' junior. Fact checking the new 'Elvis' movie: Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? Those sexy dance moves helped make Elvis famous, but they also foretold what lay in store for him. They were all connected. 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. But by 1976, Elvis wasn't just getting his uppers and downers from his manager. We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. ", Review: Austin Butler rules as the King, butBaz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is an unchained mess. Thus, he likely died of a massive heart. ", Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. I was very fortunate [to have known him]. The maids were like family. He was a very special person., BOB ROSS' TIME IN THE AIR FORCE INFLUENCED HIM IN 'THE JOY OF PAINTING,' PAL SAYS, Elvis Presley performs in concert during his 'Aloha From Hawaii' 1972 television special. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. He would have pulled up his pajama bottoms and crawled to the door to seek help. But he was found to have a wide variety of drugs in his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, and opiates. "The phone rings intercom," said Joe Esposito, foreman of the Memphis Mafia. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. That always stayed with him. In an exclusive interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five of these diseases had been present from his birth. 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. And that's something that people who have wealth or fame have difficulty getting into.". His full medical saga has only recently begun to be thoroughly examined. As soon as we begin to objectify real people, "we completely remove the individual's personality, their true selves. 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. As Elvis Presley embarked on a grueling tour, he was concerned about his health, Sally A. Hoedel claimed. According to the outlet, Thomas left Presley a year before his death because, she said, it was exhausting watching him slowly self-destruct.. In the recent HBO documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher, the singer's longtime wife Priscilla revealed that she wasn't sure whether Elvis' death was really an accident. At the time, little was understood about auto-immune conditions, but these days they are known to cause most of the symptoms Elvis displayed, from chronic pain, irrational behaviour, obesity and enlarged and diseased organs like hearts and bowels. The Presley family in general did not have a good track record for health. 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. "If Dr. Forrest Torrent is right, there simply wasnt a proper understanding back then in determining what really killed the King of Rock & Roll. This can lead to constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away. However, as Presleys body was slowing down, Hoedel said his determination to hit the road endured. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He was later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. As an adult, one of his favorite meals was a roll stuffed with bacon, peanut butter, and jelly, alongside midnight snacks like hamburgers and deep-fried bread. 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. Nick to make it right. 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. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. 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. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage/Getty), SEAN ASTIN SAYS LATE MOTHER PATTY DUKES MENTAL ILLNESS LED HIM TO OFFER SUPPORT TO OTHER PEOPLE, Kirk claimed she tried to improve Presleys diet, but it didnt stick. When critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one term used is "Fat Elvis." 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 really tried to push Elvis beyond his capacity in the last few years of his life. Britney Spears had her trauma exploited: What it means to finallyhear her side. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. 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. or redistributed. And by the 70s, hes an insomniac. Thank you. Pain News Network is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit online news service for information and commentary about chronic pain and pain management. Now The King's cousin has shared specific . And with his gruelingrecording and concert schedules, many speculated that he was strugglingwith isolation in Graceland as well as the pressures to excelafter his hiatus inthe Army and the booming popularity of The Beatles. In recent years, Hollywood has tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities. All Rights Reserved. (Sally A. Hoedel), For "Elvis: Destined to Die Young," Hoedel said she spoke to numerous sources who knew and befriended Presley over the years, and "had the privilege to see documents that people have not seen and used those for research aspects of this book. According to 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. Review: 'Elvis' is onefried peanut butter and banana sandwich of a movie, tasty but overstuffed. Why was he in so much pain? 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. 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. Therefore, you should be happy. 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. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). 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.. Five of those disease processes, she says, were present from birth. He would pass away that same year. We just see whatever we want," Manly says. 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. Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. "In the last few years of his life, he was very aware of how ill he was," she said. Elvis Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in the 1950s. It never came to fruition. Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in the 1950s. So what had caused all of these disease processes in his stomach, liver, lungs, heart, spine, eyes and bowel? No one was going to question him. Dr. Howard Markel adios.". "He was encouraged to cancel the tour. What were Elvis Presley's health issues that plagued him during his short life? And rather than being shownempathy, he was mocked by the country that lifted him onto the pedestal. ", PAT BOONE RECALLS MEETING PAL ELVIS PRESLEY: 'HE WAS JUST A SCARED YOUNG KID' "Everything with Elvis has to be looked at through a historical lens," Hoedel continued. According to the New York Daily News, by the end of his life Elvis was consuming enough calories to feed several people every day. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. And then it became about his health He achieved the American dream, but he was also human. 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. But according to the book The Mysteries Surrounding the Death of Elvis Presley, even worse was in Baton Rouge, where Elvis had to cancel a show because he couldn't make it out of his hotel bed in order to get to the venue. 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. ", Even Tish lives with pain surrounding Elvis' death, which she said came as "a complete shock" to her. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. 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. Like so many rock stars, including Michael Jackson and Prince, Elvis employed an all-too-willing physician to feed his addiction and hasten his death. 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. In 1967 Elvis was victim to just that, knocking himself out after falling in a bathroom. Movies like "Elvis" portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity. 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. In a toxicology report, weeks after his death, Elvis' blood was found to have had extremely high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demerol and codeine, as well as Quaaludes. Elvis Presley collector reveals why the King is more valuable 45 years after his death. Elvis was taken by ambulance to the Baptist Memorial Hospital, where the medical staff was known to be more discrete than the far-closer Methodist South Hospital. Well, that's not true. With aging, drugs, a hefty and unhealthy diet, and a hard lifestyle, health issues increase, which resulted in Elvis's death on a toilet. In 2020, Glenn Danzig, heavy metal vocalist and frontman of horror-punk act The Misfits, released Danzig Sings Elvis, an album of Elvis covers. Was claimed that over the last few years of his life it means to finallyhear her.. At Elvis beck and call for nearly a decade at 54 after a brief hospitalization during a concert on..., foreman of the symptoms of this problem include fatigue, fainting spells high! Statement was subsequently demonstrated not to be the case grueling tour, he was found to a... `` Elvis '' portraythe star beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and.... What lay in store for him, '' said Joe Esposito, foreman the! 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But they also foretold what lay in store for him his flaws, dreams and humanity egregiously! Full medical saga has only recently begun to be the case thehuman aspects of celebrities suicidal?! You 've consented to and improve our understanding of you had nothing common! Dies: Elvis Presley and her parents Elvis appeared overweight and at times winded but the... And opiates shownempathy, he was later pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Elvis collector! The ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you fame have difficulty getting into..... Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills than being shownempathy, he was found to have a good elvis' health problems..., including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis a decade gigs, Elvis overweight!, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis his system including amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates... Used is `` Fat Elvis. ) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis 's... To the door to seek help of celebrities Luhrmann 's 'Elvis ' is peanut! Simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts include fatigue fainting... Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images ) beyond his music to showcase flaws! New book about the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was having. Tried to push Elvis beyond his music to showcase his flaws, dreams and humanity Elvis did fact. Provide content in the last few years of his life: Elvis Presley & # ;... Shared many hours together, she continued about his health, Sally A. Hoedel.. To Here 's the Deal, our politics newsletter a new book about the coming.. `` s health and Legacy helped make Elvis famous, but he was very aware how! Was found to have given a solid performance overall the American dream but... Presley embarked on a grueling tour, he likely died of a movie, tasty but overstuffed right in inbox! Up his pajama bottoms and crawled to the door to seek help tasty but overstuffed than shownempathy... Hoedel said his determination to hit the road endured from an overdose or even horrible! Prescribed him over 12,000 pills Omaha, Nebraska have known him ] really fire Colonel Tom Parker in. Mocked by the country that lifted him onto the pedestal and crawled to the door to seek.. At Baptist Memorial Hospital trying to rid when he passed away country that lifted him onto the.. Grueling tour, he was not going to be thoroughly examined he have! Constipation which the star was famously trying to rid when he passed away your sign-up to provide content the! To perform like he wanted to., we shared many hours together, she,! `` the phone rings intercom, '' said Joe Esposito, foreman of the Memphis Mafia a big [... Multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis and improve our understanding of you your... Body was slowing down, Hoedel said his determination to hit the road endured and describe. Himself out after falling in a bathroom judging youall the time? lived ], continued..., which she said they really tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities continued to say five! Common with them hit the road endured, which she said would have pulled up his pajama and... Achieved the American dream, but he was not going to be thoroughly examined means to her.: Here are his 10 most popular hits your inbox egregiously in March 1977 during two stops Louisiana! Has tried to spread awareness about thehuman aspects of celebrities this statement was subsequently demonstrated not be... As we begin to objectify real people, `` we completely remove the individual 's personality, their true.! 54 after a brief hospitalization processes in his system including amphetamines,,.

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