Elvis Presley has once again captured the public’s imagination with the release of Baz Luhrmann’s biopic “Elvis,” featuring Austin Butler, and Sophia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” which delves into the brief marriage between Elvis and Priscilla Presley from her perspective. These films have reignited interest in the Mississippi-born musical icon, whose life was marked by drug addiction and an untimely death at the age of 42.
Elvis Presley skyrocketed to fame in 1956 with his first number one single, “Heartbreak Hotel.” Known for his electrifying performances and the frenzied crowds that attended his shows, he earned the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis.” By the end of his life, he had been nominated for 14 Grammys, winning three, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. As an actor, he starred in 31 films and two concert documentaries. His home, Graceland, remains a pilgrimage site for fans, drawing thousands of visitors each year. It is a National Historic Landmark, and Elvis is buried there alongside his mother.
With renewed interest in Elvis’s life, questions about the circumstances of his death have resurfaced. On August 16, 1977, Elvis’s girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor of his Graceland home. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead from cardiac arrest at 3:30 PM. While the immediate cause of death was clear, speculation persists about whether his extensive drug use played a role. In the last 20 months of his life, Elvis was prescribed 12,000 pills and carried three suitcases of drugs. Tennessee’s Medical Chief at the time, Jerry Francisco, attributed his death to heart disease, not drugs, a statement that has been contested by other medical professionals.
Graceland, open to the public since 1982, keeps Elvis’s bedroom and the entire upstairs off-limits due to the intense interest in his death. Only family members and the Graceland curator are allowed access. Even celebrities and presidents have been turned away, although Nicolas Cage, an Elvis superfan and former husband of Elvis’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley, reportedly made it inside.
Elvis’s legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll has endured since his death in 1977. He remains one of the most beloved artists of all time, with 18 number one hits and over a billion records sold. His daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who was just nine when he died, also became a singer and lived a life in the spotlight. She inherited Graceland and became its sole heir after the deaths of her grandfather Vernon Presley and great-grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.
On January 12, 2023, Priscilla Presley confirmed that Lisa Marie had died at the age of 54 after being rushed to the hospital for a possible cardiac arrest. Priscilla described her daughter as the most passionate, strong, and loving woman she had ever known.
Elvis’s death was initially attributed to cardiac arrhythmia, an irregular and ineffective heartbeat. The coroner, Dr. Jerry Francisco, could not determine the cause of the arrhythmia, leading to speculation about a drug overdose. Although prescription drugs were found in his body, they were ruled out as the cause of death. Dr. Francisco’s report cited hypertensive heart disease and coronary artery heart disease as contributing factors.
Elvis’s friend and physician, Dr. George Nichopoulos, did not believe the singer had a drug problem, despite his extensive use of prescription drugs. Elvis had several health issues, including hypertension, an enlarged colon, mild diabetes, and liver problems. His stepbrother, David E. Stanley, described his role as more of a nursing home aide than a bodyguard, highlighting the extent of Elvis’s addiction.
Elvis was found unconscious in the bathroom of his Graceland home, a private refuge where only his closest confidantes were allowed. Graceland, an 18-room mansion, was where Elvis escaped the pressures of fame. The second floor remains sealed out of respect for the family. The mansion is known for its iconic “jungle room,” which served as a recording studio, and the Meditation Garden, where Elvis is buried alongside his relatives.
Elvis was 42 years old when he died. His cause of death was similar to that of his daughter, Lisa Marie, who died at 54 from complications related to a small bowel obstruction. Both father and daughter experienced severe constipation, which may have contributed to their deaths.
Elvis’s legacy continues to be celebrated through movies, song covers, and tributes. On the 25th anniversary of his death, Lisa Marie recorded a tribute to her father, expressing her love and admiration. Priscilla Presley also honors Elvis’s memory, ensuring that his wishes are fulfilled.
Every August 15, Graceland hosts a candlelight vigil, drawing tens of thousands of fans. The 2022 biopic “Elvis,” directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Austin Butler, received critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations. Butler’s portrayal was praised by Elvis’s family, including Priscilla, Lisa Marie, and Riley Keough.
The world was in shock upon learning of Elvis’s death. Approximately 25,000 people gathered at Graceland in 1977 to pay their respects. Priscilla Presley recalled the overwhelming grief and disbelief of the fans who lined the streets to the cemetery.
Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957 and lived there for 20 years. The mansion, named after an original landowner, features 23 rooms and has been a National Historic Landmark since 2006. Elvis kept a menagerie of animals at Graceland, including horses, dogs, and a chimpanzee named Scatter. The kitchen was always stocked with his favorite foods, and the mansion’s iconic features, like the jungle room and the racquetball building, remain popular attractions.
Elvis is buried on the mansion’s grounds, alongside his parents, grandmother, daughter, and grandson. Priscilla Presley will also be buried there. Graceland has become a business, attracting over 600,000 visitors annually. Members of Elvis’s family continued to live at Graceland after his death, and the second-floor bedroom suite remains unchanged since he passed away.
Elvis’s private jets, the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II, are displayed at Graceland, along with his extensive car collection. The mansion inspired Paul Simon’s Grammy-winning album “Graceland,” and has seen famous trespassers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Bruce Springsteen.
Elvis Presley’s death remains a topic of fascination and speculation, but his legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll endures, captivating new generations of fans.
