Elvis Presley’s Weight Gain: The King’s Transformation Era

Elvis Presley is recognized globally as a Rock and Roll legend, but conversations today focus more on his dietary patterns and way of living. Near the end of his days, he gained considerable weight, which astonished fans and eventually contributed to his premature passing. Let’s delve into the tale of Elvis Presley’s weight gain and explore the reasons behind the King’s rapid transformation into ‘Fat Elvis’ in such a brief span.

Everyone knows that Elvis enjoyed food immensely, particularly southern cuisine. His name adorns menu items worldwide, and the ‘Elvis sandwich’ is a beloved treat globally. However, several factors contributed to his weight gain beyond his love of food.

It’s widely acknowledged that Elvis Presley grappled with obesity in his later years, but there were also other underlying issues. Insights from his family, friends, housekeeper, and medical records unveil the reality behind his surprising weight increase, which caused him concern about his public appearance.

How Much Weight Did Elvis Presley Gain?

Elvis Presley began his rise to stardom in the 1950s, noted for his lean build and handsome looks. However, the King of Rock and Roll began to gain weight over time. Due to the cultural and social pressures of the era, he faced significant criticism for this change. Initially, Elvis weighed about 170 pounds.

The demanding schedule of touring, recording music, and acting left little room for a stable routine, leading to poor eating habits. A food enthusiast, he consumed a high number of calories each day, which contributed to his weight gain as his career progressed. By the mid-1960s, ‘Fat Elvis’ was already a notion.

The increase in weight concerned Elvis about his appearance, prompting him to attempt various weight loss shortcuts. He also began suffering from numerous health issues, including severe constipation, elevated cholesterol, and depression, which contributed to his weight gain. As time went on, his weight continued to rise.

When Elvis Presley passed away in 1977, he was markedly different from the heartthrob of his prime career days. Some reports claim he weighed approximately 350 pounds at his death. Nevertheless, medical reports suggest his actual weight was around 210 pounds, though he appeared heavier due to substantial bloating.

Why Did Elvis Presley Gain Weight Rapidly?

Elvis Presley accumulated significant weight throughout his career due to a harmful lifestyle, poor dietary habits, depression, and other medical conditions. Many people might not know, but he wasn’t genuinely obese; water retention made him seem more swollen, as revealed by his autopsy.

The King of Rock and Roll had most of his weight concentrated in his face, abdomen, and hands, due to medications he took later in life. If he were truly obese, his weight gain would have been more evenly distributed. However, his lack of significant weight gain in other areas indicated more bloating than actual fat accumulation.

Some media outlets and magazines took photos of Elvis Presley from specific angles to make him appear overweight. This was because his weight gain drew public interest and such images increased their sales. While initially linked to ‘Gluttony‘, the reality was more complex.

Elvis Presley had Unhealthy Eating Practices:

According to his housekeeper Nancy Rooks, Elvis Presley had very unhealthy dietary habits. He would sleep during the day due to late-night performances and recordings, having his first meal around 5 PM. His dinner was late, usually between 12:30 AM and 1 AM, and he consumed a substantial number of calories.

Those close to him revealed he ingested about 10,000 to 12,000 calories daily, which is nearly five times the recommended intake today. His meals included ‘Southern foods’ rich in fats and carbohydrates. His long-time girlfriend Linda Thompson also mentioned that Elvis enjoyed dining out.

The late rockstar’s cousin Billy Smith disclosed in an interview that Elvis cherished bacon sandwiches with mustard. He would also consume large quantities of bacon, mustard, and potatoes in one sitting. Besides indulging in junk and fried food, Elvis was also fond of Pepsi, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.

Health Problems Worsened His Condition:

Apart from unhealthy dietary habits, Elvis Presley’s health issues and medications significantly contributed to his becoming obese. Like many performers of his time, Elvis routinely took prescription medications, including opiates, barbiturates, and sedatives, which was confirmed posthumously.

Elvis also received steroid/cortisone injections to treat inflammation and severe constipation. Consequently, these drugs led to water retention, making him look swollen. The King suffered from a twisted colon, which would be diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in today’s medical terminology.

As a consequence, he resorted to amphetamines, leading to persistent constipation and bloating. This resulted in an enlarged abdomen or ‘pot belly’ as commonly referred. Furthermore, Elvis struggled with eating disorders, which caused him to binge on fatty and sugary foods uncontrollably.

Elvis Presley was ‘Extremely Sensitive’ About Weight Gain

Elvis Presley’s long-term partner also disclosed that criticism deeply affected him, making him ‘extremely sensitive’ about his weight gain. He was conscious of the opinions others held of him, and such remarks would often hurt his feelings. Therefore, Elvis attempted various rapid weight-loss techniques, but they were not as successful as anticipated.

According to The Independent, there was a time when Elvis tried an unusual diet consisting only of black cherry soda and banana jelly. Additionally, he used sleeping pills to stay unconscious and eat less. Elvis even requested his doctors to attempt the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ diet, whereby the patient is put under a medically induced coma to shed weight.

He did manage to shed a significant amount of weight through dieting and other slim-down techniques, but genetics were not on his side. A doctor mentioned that his mother’s genetic makeup caused Elvis to quickly regain the lost weight. The breakup with Priscilla Beaulieu further exacerbated the situation and weakened his determination to stay healthy.

How did Elvis Presley lose weight?

Initially, when Elvis Presley began putting on weight, he was mindful of slimming down to maintain the slender figure that made him a worldwide sex symbol. He started dieting and opted for healthier food options. His maid was the first to encourage him to reduce junk food intake, practice portion control, and avoid excess sugar.

This helped Elvis make a prominent comeback to the screens on December 3, 1968, after over eight years of absence. Nonetheless, the King could not adhere to his healthy routine. Eventually, he ignored advice and indulged in his preferences, leading to more weight gain over the years.

Elvis Presley did manage to lose weight again a few years before his passing due to underlying health issues. He was afflicted by hypertension and an enlarged heart, impacting his metabolism and general well-being. However, he still appeared bloated due to cortisone and other medications.

Final Take:

Elvis Presley was a rock legend grappling with the societal stigma of obesity behind the scenes. During his time, he couldn’t find the necessary support to combat his eating disorder. In today’s era, it’s likely Elvis Presley would have discovered more sustainable ways to manage his weight.

Unfortunately, Presley passed away from a heart attack at 42 in 1977. Many blame his premature death on his fondness for fatty and sugary foods. While this is partially true, the medications he took to combat his underlying health problems also played a significant role in his demise.

Still, Elvis ‘The King’ Presley has left behind a legacy cherished by Rock ‘N Roll enthusiasts. He will always be remembered as the icon and sex symbol he was famous for. His story reminds us to support and care for those around us, as we never know what they might be enduring.

Frequently Answered Questions:

Here are the most common questions about Elvis Presley’s weight gain:

How tall was Elvis Presley?:

Elvis Presley stood at 182 cm, which is nearly six feet. His impressive stature contributed to his popularity among the myriad of women who adored the talented singer, actor, and performer.

What was Elvis Presley’s favorite food?:

Elvis Presley had a penchant for Southern-style cuisine, with favorites including fried chicken, ham, and bacon. He also enjoyed mashed potatoes, cornbreads, grits, and rich gravy. One standout meal he frequently savored was a peanut butter sandwich with crispy bacon and banana.

What is the ‘Elvis Sandwich’?:

The ‘Elvis Sandwich’ is renowned worldwide and is available at numerous restaurants. It consists of a peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich with honey and lots of cheese. While various versions of the recipe exist today, none are deemed healthy by nutritionists.

How did Elvis Presley die?:

Elvis Presley passed away on August 16, 1977, following a heart attack. He was only 42 at the time of his death. Initial autopsy reports confirmed that Presley suffered cardiac arrhythmia in the bathroom of his Graceland estate. His then-fiancée, Ginger Alden, found him on the floor and rushed him to the hospital. Regrettably, he was declared dead at 15h30.