Part 8/10:
By the mid-1970s, Elvis was a shell of his former self. The signs of his decline were glaring; excessive weight gain, health problems, and erratic behavior became more pronounced. His cherished friends, once a constant in his life, became increasingly concerned about his health, sensing that his demise was not far off.
On August 16, 1977, the shocking news of Elvis’s death sent ripples through the world. Those who were closest to him had a visceral reaction to the loss; many expressed feelings of helplessness and guilt. The official cause of death was attributed to a heart attack, but fellow friends and associates often reflected on the disastrous combination of physical health issues and addiction that led to his early departure.