Original question: “Did Howard Hughes become reclusive towards the end of his life?” YES! For 20 years, from around 1956 to 1976 when he died. A lot of it could have been brought on by his heavy use of codeine during that time.
“Howard Hughes--the billionaire aviator, motion-picture producer and business tycoon--spent most of his life trying to avoid germs. Toward the end of his life, he lay naked in bed in darkened hotel rooms in what he considered a germ-free zone. He wore tissue boxes on his feet to protect them. And he burned his clothing if someone near him became ill.”
From:
Hughes's germ phobia revealed in psychological autopsy
July/August 2005, Vol 36, No. 7
Hughes last days of germ free living, as portrayed by actor Rip torn.
Below is the last picture of Howard Hughes before he died:
Hughes as a young man.