Inside Elvis Presley’s weight loss battle: the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll gained 80kg during his final years following unhealthy food habits like the ‘Elvis sandwich’ and rumoured eating disorders
- In the 60s, Elvis Presley was a global sex symbol, but by the 70s his weight ballooned – was it due to drugs and alcohol, or simply his well-documented love of high-calorie Southern foods?
- Today you can order the ‘Elvis sandwich’ at diners across the world, but it’s worth remembering The King battled hard to regain his health and reputation, even tragically turning to sleeping pills
When Elvis Presley died in 1977, he was a very different man to the sex symbol millions had come to love. Over the years, fans saw the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s physical appearance transform, with his very public weight fluctuations on display for all the world to see.
Today, Presley might have received help for an eating disorder, but back then he was ridiculed and labelled “fat Elvis” in the press. He reportedly weighed an astonishing 158kg (350 pounds) at the time of his death, at age 42 – around 80kg, or 180 pounds, heavier than a decade before.
So what happened? STYLE investigates his tragic weight woes, and remembers his battle to return to a healthy body shape.
He loved food
OK, it’s no secret that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll loved his food. Those close to him said he was very open about being surrounded by “good Southern meals” when he was away from home. At the end of his life, he was reportedly consuming 10,000 to 12,000 calories a day – up to five times the recommended intake today.
The blonde, who eventually broke up with Presley because of his cheating ways, said that as he got heavier, the criticism around his weight started to bother him. She said he was a very sensitive person and he was aware of what people thought of him, saying the comments “hurt his feelings”.
Eating disorder behaviours?
