New Book Suggests Presley Was Medicated for Congenital Health Issues
A new biography, Elvis: Destined to Die Young by historian Sally Hoedel, argues that Elvis Presley’s death at 42 was not a result of rock’n’roll excess or drug abuse, but rather a consequence of inherited health problems.
Hoedel’s research suggests Presley was battling a series of congenital illnesses, many of which were linked to his family history. She points out that Presley’s mother, Gladys, and his maternal grandparents—who were first cousins—suffered from similar early deaths, possibly contributing to his own health issues. Gladys Presley died at 46, while Elvis passed away just four years later, with both experiencing a period of degenerative illness.
The book challenges the traditional narrative of Presley as a rockstar whose lifestyle led to his early demise. Instead, Hoedel presents a view of the singer as a man grappling with health struggles in multiple bodily systems, with five of these conditions present from birth.
Hoedel’s work seeks to “humanize” the iconic figure of Elvis Presley, showing a more complex and medically troubled man behind the myth of the rock’n’roll legend.
