These Little-Known Facts About Elvis Presley Will Change How You See Him

On January 14, 1973, Elvis beamed into one billion homes from Honolulu in a milestone TV event: Aloha from Hawaii. No concert had ever been broadcast live via satellite across so many countries. Draped in an American eagle jumpsuit, he glided across the stage, tossing scarves and belting out “Suspicious Minds” like the world depended on it.

It was performance as diplomacy, spectacle, and resurrection. Yet backstage, he was unwell—overmedicated, bloated, lonely. The audience never knew. On-screen, he was still the King, radiating charisma. But for all its global reach, Aloha couldn’t mask the unraveling behind the glitter.