Elvis Presley’s Weight Gain Followed Him for Many Years He Looked For Ways to Care For His Shape

During the final moments of his impressive career, Elvis Presley’s weight gain became the center of attention. After nursing an unhealthy diet and a fast-paced lifestyle on tour, Presely’s weight became a concern for those close to him.

Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in East Tupelo, Mississippi. Born and raised in the South, he grew up on his mother’s hearty Southern cooking. After his meteoric rise to fame, his round baby face, jet-black hair, and eye-catching costumes on stage became his signature look.

As a famous musician, he had all the food he wished for at his disposal. According to his family and those close to him, Presley was known to enjoy a good burger or two. And it was not long before fans, and the media took notice of his weight gain.

Elvis Presley in 1957 | Source: Getty Images

The “I Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer was aware of his weight gain, but his attempts proved futile as he could not drop the extra pounds.

Elvis Presley Had Always Fought a Battle with His Weight

Presley’s weight gain became noticeable in late 1963 when he was twenty-eight. In 1967, his weight had stretched to almost two hundred pounds. After his divorce in October 1973, he put on more weight.

Elvis Presley during a televised concert in Honolulu on January 14, 1973 | Source: Getty Images

It had gotten to the point where he occasionally ripped his pants while performing on stage. His weight affected his ability to perform in front of a crowd and the camera as he would offer up excuses about returning to Hollywood for his acting career.

Fellow musician Hal Willis noted that Presely’s hair began to look fake at this point. Matters only worsened; medical professionals placed Presely on an IV, and he was rolled on airplanes “like some cumbersome bundle of cargo.”

His wardrobe shrunk to the two jumpsuits he could squeeze into, and by the late 1970s, his weight had tipped over the two-hundred-pound mark. He began canceling shows while on the road and decided to check himself into the hospital.

Elvis and Priscilla Presley leaving court in California | Source: Getty Images

Elvis Loved Calorie-Dense Food

During one of his Las Vegas residencies, Presley revealed that burgers and soda had been his go-to since moving to Hollywood. His cousin, Billy Smith, and his wife, Jo, shared that Krystal’s burgers and pizzas had also been his favorite. They said:

“He loved Krystal’s hamburgers. He loved hamburger steak; he loved bacon sandwiches with mustard.”

Presley’s favorite dishes included biscuits with golden fried potatoes, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and ham with red-eye gravy. After moving to Germany and residing there for almost two years, he had his favorite Southern deep-fried dishes prepared.

Elvis Presley performing at a concert in Honolulu on January 12, 1973 | Source: Getty Images

Robert Thompson, a media and culture professor at Syracuse University, said Presley’s love for peanut butter and banana sandwiches had become part of his “mystique” as it proved to people that the late singer was “one of us.”

However, it was not long before his clothes would not fit and Smith and his wife revealed that every night valet had to come, pick up the few of his jumpsuits that did fit, have them cleaned, and brought back.

Elvis Realized He Was Gaining Weight and Tried to Lose It

Elvis Presley photographed during a press conference | Source: Getty Images

Before his death, Presley did try to lose weight. He took weight loss pills and placed himself on a diet, although it was said not to have been effective. He ate jelly and yogurt, which his ex-fiancée, Ginger Alden, said she encouraged because she thought it was good for him. She revealed that she had not noticed Presley’s weight gain at first. She said:

“Because Elvis struggled with fluid retention and occasionally got cortisone shots for pain, I never looked at him as being that overweight.”

While opening up about her relationship with Elvis Presley, Alden said she refrained from taking pictures of him before his death. She further detailed that Presley’s weight loss journey had not been easy, as he would often attempt to lose weight but would not succeed.

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