Introduction
In the 1960s, Elvis Presley was a global sex symbol, but by the 1970s, his weight skyrocketed – was it due to drugs and alcohol, or simply his penchant for high-calorie Southern cuisine?
Today, you can order an “Elvis sandwich” at restaurants all over the world, but it’s worth remembering that the King of Rock and Roll struggled to regain his health and fame, even resorting to sleeping pills at times during tragic circumstances.
When Elvis Presley died in 1977, he was a very different person from the sexy icon that millions adored. Over the years, fans witnessed the transformation of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s appearance, with publicly visible weight fluctuations seen around the world.
Today, Presley may have received help treating his eating disorder, but back then he was ridiculed and nicknamed “Fat Elvis” by the press. Reportedly, he weighed 158kg (350 pounds) at the time of his death at age 42 – about 80kg, or 180 pounds, heavier than a decade earlier.
So what happened? STYLE magazine investigates his unfortunate weight issues and recalls his struggle to regain a healthy physique.
Everyone knows that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll loved to eat. Those close to him said he was very open about enjoying “delicious Southern food” whenever he was away from home. In his later years, he is believed to have consumed between 10,000 and 12,000 calories a day – five times the current recommended amount.
In an interview with CNN, Linda Thompson – his longtime girlfriend since 1972, considered by fans to be “the one” – said Presley loved eating out. She said he had organized his life around food.
The blonde woman, who eventually broke up with Presley because of his infidelity, said that as he gained weight, criticism about his weight started to upset him. She said that he is a very sensitive person and aware of what people think of him, stating that those comments “hurt his feelings.”
Although many believe drug and alcohol abuse contributed to his obese appearance, those close to him said the main cause was his uncontrolled eating habits. Even during his Las Vegas performances, he would often begin his monologues by talking about his love of hamburgers and Pepsi while on tour.
According to Music Times, upon returning to Graceland, he would often eat the same thing repeatedly for months after finding something he truly liked.
In an interview on the Elvis Fans Matter program, the musician’s cousin, Billy Smith, said he loved bacon and mustard sandwiches. He said Presley would often pile on a bacon and mustard sandwich and eat it all in one go.
Oddly enough, a biography of Presley written in 1960, early in his career and at the peak of his physical prowess, perhaps half-jokingly diagnosed him with a gluttony. “A note to his future wife: Elvis loved hearty breakfasts of sausage, bacon, eggs, chips, homemade toast, and coffee. He had a huge appetite for breakfast. His wife should never have a fancy or expensive palate,” author James Gregory wrote in The Elvis Presley Story.
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s love of food was so famous that the “Elvis sandwich,” or simply “Elvis sandwich,” has become a staple in many restaurants and eateries around the world.
It seems Presley really enjoyed peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwiches – so these are all natural, basic ingredients for a delicious “Elvis sandwich.” There are many variations of this recipe, but none that meet the dietary goals of many people.
Aware of the attention drawn to his increasingly large physique, Presley reportedly embarked on several extreme diets and other dangerous weight-loss methods to shed weight. According to The Independent, he once tried a diet consisting solely of jelly made from black cherry soda and bananas.
We can only wish that the help, support, and awareness we have of eating disorders today were as widespread as in Presley’s time, and we appreciate the sincere efforts of the “King of Rock and Roll” in regaining his health and reputation.