Nothing happened to Elvis Presley that we don't have a good logical, scientific explanation for now. Linda Thompson (left) posing with her then-boyfriend Elvis Presley and her parents. That same year, Presley became involved with 1972s Miss Tennessee Linda Thompson. All rights reserved. Here's why. The maids were like family. Presley, once a former teen idol, had gained a considerable amount of weight. 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 you have to remember, this was a time when people really didnt talk about their health like they do now. ", In Ginger's mind, these opinions were unfair stones cast by her fiance's cronies. No one was going to question him. By then, he and his wife Priscilla Presley had separated. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. 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.. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images). Presley knew there was something wrong with him. His doctor tried at one point to see if he could sleep without anything. He was later pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Five of those disease processes, she says, were present from birth. 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. Many would later wonder if this was because Elvis knew somewhere deep down that he would never play again and wanted to shout out all of those who made his career possible. PBS reported that at the time of Presley's deathtwo pathologists "found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." 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. They were all connected. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Hodel claimed that Presley continued to use medication to not only provide him relief but also to function. 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. The book alleges that during the second show of that fourth tour, Presley, who was semiconscious, had his head dunked in a bucket of ice water. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. That haunts me.". 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). Kirk shared that despite Presley's fame and fortune, he was often lonely. His untimely death was mourned by fans as many made their way to Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, to pay respects. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that . He was not only my patient but a good friend., LIBERACE TOLD ELVIS PRESLEY HE NEEDED MORE GLITZ IN HIS SHOWS BEFORE LAS VEGAS TRANSFORMATION, BOOK CLAIMS, Elvis Presley in his final years. 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. Hugely overweight, his mind dulled by the pharmacopeia he daily ingested, he was barely able to pull himself through his abbreviated concerts.". "If it had been a drug overdose, [Elvis] would have slipped into an increasing state of slumber. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. Copyright 2023 Pain News Network / Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Advertising / Surveys / Donors. 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. To this day, conflicting speculationssurroundElvis' death. Kirk was working at her clinic when she received word that Presley had died. Here's why. What were Elvis Presley's health issues that plagued him during his short life? At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. Elvis Presleys former private nurse Letetia Henley Kirk has had the King on her mind. After all these years people still want to know what happened to the "King." What about now? But even more shocking and strange might be the sheer amount of activity undertaken by the King in the hours before he passed away. Well, that's not true. These interviews provided us with an extraordinary opportunity to learn about Elvis' health, personal life and legacy. He needed a full-time nurse and apparently refused to bathe throughout 1975, causing him to develop sores on his body. Presley was a long-time abuser of opiates, which not only kill pain but also cause savage constipation. Elvis approved of the idea, and the label sent a studio truck to his home. Within the book Sally revealed that Elvis grandparents were first cousins. "You always think there was something you could have done, that he might still be alive today. 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. But according to "Elvis," overwhelming demand from fans played a part in his fall. But he still sang like The King.. 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. How 'Elvis' highlights his complicated history with Black music, A year-by-year look: 45 Elvis events in the 45 years since the death of the King, Just Curious:We're here to help with life's everyday questions, The "King of Rock 'n' Roll," Elvis Presley, died at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, aged just 42. In 1967 Elvis was victim to just that, knocking himself out after falling in a bathroom. He wasborn inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935. Britney Spears had her trauma exploited: What it means to finallyhear her side. Repeated head trauma can cause an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that can then attack any organ in the body. 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. Some of the symptoms of this problem include fatigue, fainting spells and high blood pressure. He just took more medication to keep going. The toxicology report from Elvis' death said he had the opiates Dilaudid, Demerol, and Percodan in his blood, not to mention Quaaludes and codeine. Elvis was a very kind hearted person. Elvis collapsed in the bathroom 24 hours later. And hes the head of his whole organization. A new book by Sally Hoedel argues that the singer was a sick man supporting his family and friends. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ", "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. He was often getting fevers and flu-type symptoms. Even his maids were like family and he bought them all new cars. 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. Elvis was know to be a prodigious eater. Elvis just fainted.' By examining his flaws and health issues, maybe we can start to see his humanity again.. All rights reserved. While some have sought to portray the family as hillbillies, the author points out that inter-marriage was not at the time unusual across society. He abused antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones and laxatives, for the constipation. (Aug. 16), fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, died in Memphis, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley's only daughter dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization, 'Elvis' is onefried peanut butter and banana sandwich of a movie, tasty but overstuffed. Sally A. Hoedel wrote a book about Elvis Presley's health history that was published in 2020 titled Elvis: Destined to Die Young. Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Ginger Alden in March 1977 in Hawaii. 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. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. 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. Please check your inbox to confirm. It takes hours to die from drugs.". 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. ", 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 Kirk, Presley was impressed by the nurse and her country ways. In 1972, he hired her as his nurse, as well as her husband for security. Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox. Elvis Presley in concert circa 1977. Gained a considerable amount of weight was hard to be Elvis, '' demand... About their health like they do now tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates Quaaludes. You always think there was something you could have done, that he might still be today! / Advertising / Surveys / Donors to function wife Priscilla Presley had separated says, present... 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