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." 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.". Replacing Linda was actress Ginger Alden (above), a woman 20 years Elvis' junior. Elvis Presley performs in concert during his 'Aloha From Hawaii' 1972 television special. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. But Elvis was not suffering from garden-variety constipation at the time of his death. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He just took more medication to keep going. I gently raised one eyelid. Does Austin Butler sing in 'Elvis'? 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. Popping pills. One of the first responders who arrived at Graceland after the emergency call on the day Elvis died and helped carry him . "When he played Vegas, he played two shows a day for 30 days thats 60 shows. or redistributed. "So when we see a celebrity altered in any way, we can say 'Oh, see, they faltered,'or 'They're not perfect.' 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. Psychologists say efforts to reimagine celebrities as more than their stardomand wealth succeed in destigmatizing and humanizingthe mental health conversation. (Red had known the singer since the '50s.) So we know that its physically hard on his body and thats why hes taking more medication when hes on the road. [He and Priscilla] continued to be very close via the telephone. We just see whatever we want," Manly says. It became a problem, but why was he taking them in the first place?, Dr Nick is a controversial figure. 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. His untimely death was mourned by fans as many made their way to Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, to pay respects. Legal Statement. He would pass away that same year. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at age 42. 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. 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. Williams herself recently told a photographer that she is "formerly retired" and wants to appear on shows including "Late Night with Seth Meyers" and "The View.". This was especially true during the last year of his life, when he was deep in his chemical dependency and had left behind many of the loyal friends of his youth. A new book by Sally Hoedel argues that the singer was a sick man supporting his family and friends. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The critics noted his weight gain when reviewing his public appearances. He was a very spiritual person, she explained. 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. Elvis Presley performs during his second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956. 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. 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. He pitched forward onto the carpet, his rear in the air, and was dead by the time he hit the floor. (The doctor said they were for Presley's entourage as well.) 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. His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? Here's why. He began treating the King for saddle pain in 1967 and all too soon Elvis turned into an opiate addict. (According to the medical examiner's report,the singer died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease at 42.). As early as 1973, the year he divorced his first wife Priscilla, his health was already failing. 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. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. the excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. newsletter for analysis you wont find anywhereelse. He had a private doctor who would prescribe him any pill he asked for, according to a People Magazine storyshortly after his death. "We tended to treat Elvis as someone who was supposed to be a very wonderful icon of American rock and roll. She credits this topublic figureslike Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish and Michael Phelps, who usetheir platforms toshare theirstruggles and help reducemental health stigma. He was very family-oriented, Kirk explained. 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. The grave of singer Elvis Presley in Graceland. Well, that's not true. 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. On Aug. 16, 1977, Presley was found unconscious in his Graceland mansion. They don't want to go out. The last decade of his life had seen his health take a dramatic nose dive. 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. Deeply depressed. "If it had been a drug overdose, [Elvis] would have slipped into an increasing state of slumber. 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.. 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. 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 bought strangers new cars just to see their reactions. Dr. Howard Markel Forest believes it all stemmed back to a serious head injury he sustained in 1967 that triggered a progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder. 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." They were all connected. 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. All rights reserved. ", 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. 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. All proceeds from sales of The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley go the Tennant Foundation, which gives financial support to Pain News Network and sponsors PNNs Patient Resources section. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. From my research, he was always trying to help Elvis but the line between friend and doctor got blurred, Hoedel says. ", CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. One of these problems was Elvis megacolon. "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. Elvis actually died a death that is quite common, albeit an embarrassing one. 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. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. 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. 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. 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. ", Harry, Meghan, The Rock, Naomi Osaka: Why celebrity mental health struggles matter. 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