The singer, who made teenage girls hysterical with his movie star looks, catchy songs and gyrating. found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. Its not accurate and its not enough. He turned to food for comfort and had gained a considerable amount of weight. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine storyshortly after his death. He didn't "jiggle" nearly as much as most do, nor did his legs or arms look especially fat. 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. Three of the Mafia members, David Hebler, Robert "Red" West, and Robert's cousin Sonny West, had acted as Elvis' bodyguards for much of his career. Exactly what caused Elvis Presley's death remains shrouded in mystery. Manly adds the objectification of Elvis also played a role in this mistreatment: not only was he used as a "moneymaking machine" by power-hungry leadersin the industry, but he was also sexualized and reduced toan image by his youngfemalefans. Hoedel writes that Presleys health problems were intertwined with his life story, and he suffered from disease in nine of 11 bodily systems. Presley was a long-time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation. Once there, doctors struggled to revive him without success and Presley was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm. However, though Dr. Nick was charged with 11 felony accounts of overprescribing drugs, he was acquitted the medical examiner claimed that Elvis had died of heart disease, adding, "Had these drugs not been there, he still would've died.". Presley knew there was something wrong with him. Dr. George Nichopoulos earned notoriety when, three years. But his immune system wasnt fighting off infection as it should have. "When he played Vegas, he played two shows a day for 30 days thats 60 shows. Experts say it's crucial to treat stars with empathy and compassion, rather than ridicule. All rights reserved. "I think that younger people today are really responding to vulnerability in ways that an older generation just didnt. Whats Missing in Elvis Movie: The Kings Chronic Illness, The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley.. Why would you want to go out and have people staring at you and judging youall the time?" They were all connected. He would ask her, "Would you rub my legs? Elvisembodied modern American youth and rock 'n'roll, changingthe course of popular music with his songs, dance moves, charisma and wardrobe. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. But with his life ended, those who loved him could now remember the man he'd once been, revolutionizing rock music with his energy, charisma, and raw talent. During the autopsy it became clear that Elvis did in fact have multiple heart problems, including a strained aorta and atherosclerosis. 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). Growing up in the South, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at age 42. Thats not enough for a man who culturally shifted our universe. 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 . Indeed, his medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. 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. He had weaknesses. There, the body identified the matter as foreign and produced antibodies to destroy it, triggering hypogammaglobulinemia, a disorder of the body's immune system. I knew he was dead.". As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. 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. Here's why. "He believed he could conquer all his problems himself. 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. (Getty Images). 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. He did start abusing drugs including amphetamines, opioids and sedatives as a teenager and is known to have had an appalling diet. He . These interviews provided us with an extraordinary opportunity to learn about Elvis' health, personal life and legacy. She has a new book about the King coming out in September. 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.. the excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. Five of those disease processes, Hoedel finds, were present from birth. 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. One of these problems was Elvis megacolon. Some of the symptoms of this problem include fatigue, fainting spells and high blood pressure. 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. As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. Elvis Presley performing in Burbank, California, June 1968. In his opinion, as shared in a 2013 medical paper, when Elvis tripped over a television cord and knocked himself out on the bathtub, the injury was so severe that it caused brain tissue to dislodge and seep into his blood circulation. But who knows? (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. He abused antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation. Experts say it's common for people to detach celebrities from reality and laugh at them for entertainment and amusement. Theres no one to blame - certainly not Elvis. 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. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in the 1950s. Elvis had a way of getting what he wanted, said Kirk. He had been known to use "antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation.". In . 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 explained: "The position of Elvis Presley's body was such that he was about to sit down on the commode when the seizure occurred. "In 1956 they didn't understand that these pills could become addictive. He also worked really hard to hide it. Elvis Presley's former private nurse Letetia Henley Kirk has had the King on her mind. The doctor remained by Elvis' side during his drug addiction and where there on the tragic day of his death and claims in an autopsy, stunned medics found a four-month-old stool blocking his gut. He passed away on Aug. 16 of that year. He would pass away that same year. Our mission is to raise awareness, connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. Forest believes it all stemmed back to a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that triggered a progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder. 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. "Its hard for us to imagine [that he was in physical pain] because he once appeared so perfect on the outside that he couldn't have been flawed on the inside," author Sally A. Hoedel told Fox News Digital. He gave his rings to his fans during concerts. But by 1976, Elvis wasn't just getting his uppers and downers from his manager. Preliminary autopsy findings determined Presley's death was the result of a "cardiac arrhythmia" and that drugs were not involved,saidPBS. And he would say, I cant. Fact checking the new 'Elvis' movie: Did he really fire Colonel Tom Parker onstage in Las Vegas? "If Dr. Forrest Torrent is right, there simply wasnt a proper understanding back then in determining what really killed the King of Rock & Roll. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images). "He was encouraged to cancel the tour. I had a huge painting of Elvis -- a velvet painting he had given me, she said. Conditions such as post-concussion syndrome can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and difficulty concentrating. Elvis' passing is often used as the archetypal rock star death a tragic accident caused by a poor health and drug use. He would also often say "God, I hurt all over." Numerous documentaries have exposed. 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. Always seek the advice of a physician or healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. If you're depressed,go see a therapistor check yourself into rehab if you need to. But for Tennant, that wasn't enough to explain the long list of maladies that afflicted the rock star from the late 1960s onwards. ", In the year that Presley died, he had a fourth tour scheduled on May 20. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Kirk said Presley attempted to find solace in reading the Bible, but the loneliness didnt leave him. 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.". As Elvis Presley embarked on a grueling tour, he was concerned about his health, Sally A. Hoedel claimed. 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.. After all, how would it look if the rock star who President Richard Nixon awarded a special badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs had died of a drug overdose? Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images. It's more difficult to project onto that person that idealof perfection.". The Presley family in general did not have a good track record for health. Appropriation or appreciation? 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. Long-Time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation in Rolling Stone the., from sounding boards for Presley 's death was the King coming out in September can! Ask her, `` would you rub my legs well-being, or elvis' health problems... Out in September and the public about the King on her mind a tell-all biography of --! 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