They struggled to survive during the Great Depression, working short cons and traveling across the country in search of work. [45], By 1972, Parker had managed to increase Presley's weekly wage in Las Vegas to $150,000 ($971,718 in 2021 dollars[11]), and secured $50,000 a year ($323,906 in 2021 dollars[11]) for himself as a "consultant to the hotel chain". Colonel Tom Parker died at the age of 87 years. Tom was born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in the Netherlands on June 26, 1909, but emigrated illegally to the United States when he was 20. [37] After that, until 1968, Presley gave no live performances, and had very little contact with his fans. Following this, Presley's career declined drastically as he became increasingly reliant on prescription drugs. Colonel Tom Parker was best known for being the manager of Elvis Presley. Parker made several attempts to have it stopped, but failed to do so. [13] Within a year, he had the opportunity to become a legal citizen of the United States a new law allowed illegal aliens the chance to become citizens in return for their promise to fight for the country during World War II, if required. Death. The King of Rock 'n' Roll's only daughter inherited his iconic Graceland estate and was once married to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage - but now she's reportedly US$16 million in debt [59] Due to an ill-advised agreement between Parker and Presley that gave RCA sole ownership of all his recording royalties prior to 1973, the estate was relying heavily on the income from Factors Etc. Answer (1 of 2): The gravy train for Col. Parker ended after Elvis died, and the executor that was appointed for Lisa Marie Presley's interests began to go over Parker's deals with Elvis, was appalled, and the estate threatened to take Parker to court, and paid him 2 million dollars to end his as. He adopted a new name and claimed to have been born in the United States. Following this, Neal chose not to renew his management contract with Presley, leaving Parker as the singer's sole manager. [15] However, Parker remained involved in many of Arnold's live tours and demanded a buyout of $50,000 (US$506,405 in 2021 dollars[11]) to settle their contract. The first major artist with whom he worked was popular crooner Gene Austin. [65] However, there is no definite proof that anything other than romance led to their marriage. [12] He was a successful promoter, but he wanted to move into management.[12]. [19][20] Part of Parker's role was to secure a new recording contract with a bigger label. [52] In Las Vegas, he was starting to appear drugged on stage, slurring his words and forgetting song lyrics. A few actors have tackled Parker on screen, most notably Beau Bridges in 1993s "Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story" and Randy Quaid in the 2005 miniseries "Elvis." [35] He was reportedly afraid that Presley would realize that there were other managers available prepared to sign contracts that did not require as much as 25% of his earnings. I said 'Yeah'. Thomas Andrew Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk; June 26, 1909 January 21, 1997),[1] commonly known as Colonel Parker, was a Dutch musical entrepreneur, best known for being Elvis Presley's manager. [15], A young singer, Tommy Sands, caught Parker's eye in 1952, and Parker immediately set about promoting him. . [53] Parker later claimed that Presley had asked him to make the contract so demanding so that they would not offer him the part, although many of Presley's friends have contradicted Parker's statement because they had said Presley was furious at losing the role.[53]. Colonel Tom Parkerthe title was awarded to him by Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis in 1948 for political services renderedclaimed until 1982 to have been born in West Virginia. [50] In later years, several of Presley's inner circle would tell of how difficult it was to persuade Presley to quit the drugs. [69] In October 1990, Parker married Loanne Miller, his secretary since 1972. [56] Shortly afterward, he traveled to Memphis for Presley's funeral. Presley had been living with Priscilla Beaulieu, ten years his junior, for the past four years, but it had not been public knowledge. The two had become almost strangers, and false reports in the media suggested that Presley's contract was up for sale. [4] A year later at 18, with enough money to sustain him for a short period, he entered America illegally by jumping ship from his employer's vessel. Tom Parker caught a glimpse of the singer backstage. On January 20, 1997, Parker suffered a stroke, and died the following morning in a Las Vegas hospital. Parker made his last public appearances in 1994. When he was 15, Parker moved to Rotterdam, where he worked on boats. 2. In 1969, she was an employee of the International Hotel when Elvis made his record-breaking performances there. [1][4], At age 15, Van Kuijk moved to Rotterdam, gaining employment on boats in the port town. In addition to its considerable value, the estate of Elvis . In January 1979, it was discovered that Presley had lost out on royalties for songs on which he had been listed as an author or composer because Parker had unwisely advised him not to sign up to ASCAP or its younger competitor, BMI. Parker, 33, died in March, surrounded by his family and bandmates, 17 months after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Tom Parker. ", "Photos: Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker", https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/a-new-light-on-colonel-tom-parker.shtml, "A Larger-Than-Life Look at a Larger-Than-Life Star", "Meet the Fifth (Jewish) Beatle Manager Brian Epstein", "The All American Boy: Enter Elvis and the rock-a-billies", Tom Parker collection and interviews with co workers, ED Bonja Interview Elvis Photographer - the Elvis Information Network exclusive. The contract, dated July 12, 1954, eight days after their first recording session, was signed by Presley and his parents. [4][5] Parker's final years were spent living in Las Vegas, in increasingly poor health before his death in 1997. After a lifetime of earning well over $100 million managing Elvis, The Colonel's estate was barely worth $1 million upon his death. [67] According to interviews given by Parker to the Associated Press many years later, he and Marie were married in Tampa, Florida, during the winter of 1932,[67] but the Florida Office of Vital Statistics had no record of such a marriage any time between 1927 and 1946. Net Worth: $1 Million. During the week-long visit, Parker was informed by Adam van Kuijk that their mother had died three years earlier in 1958, never knowing what happened to her son after he left the Netherlands for good in 1929. Presley's star continued to rise as Parker signed a merchandising deal with Hank Saperstein to fully commoditize the young singer. After Presley showed signs of rebellion again in 1966 and because of his flagging career, Parker decided that it was time for a new approach: marriage. [39] When Presley complained to him that he wanted better scripts, Parker reminded him of his lavish lifestyle and that risking $1 million a year for doing practically no work was dangerous. For all intents and purposes, this should have made Elvis Presley a very wealthy man, yet when he passed away in 1977, the King was down to his last $1million and prior to his death The Colonel . [18] According to Moore, Presley agreed to take 50 percent, with Moore and Black splitting the other 50 percent. By this time, Parker was aware that Presley needed a rest from touring and the chance to deal with his prescription drug addictions. These four shows alone grossed $730,000 ($4,729,029 in 2021 dollars[11]). However, he also continued to blow his fortune on his gambling addiction and he died heavily in debt. Colonel Tom Parker made more than $100 million in his lifetime, but when he died, he was reportedly worth less than $1 million. Snow attended the signing, thinking that Elvis had signed a management contract with Jamboree Attractions, which he owned with Parker. "Last Train to Memphis". The Wanted singer Tom Parker has died from a brain tumour at the age of 33. [53] Parker, who had always dealt with Presley's film contracts and viewed the offer as a starting bid to earning more money, instead asked for a salary $1 million ($5,035,869 in 2021 dollars[11]), 50% of the profits, plus another $100,000 ($503,587 in 2021 dollars[11]) for expenses, and spoke of needing to arrange details of a soundtrack deal. . Much of the money went to Col. Tom Parker, the King's enigmatic, cigar . Parker appeared to be in complete control during Presley's time away, but he was worried about the outside influence that . Additional Crew: Spinout. [35] All of these stories were fabrications, but it kept his name in view of the public. [41] Selling it to RCA for $24,000 ($200,443 in 2021 dollars[11]), it was used to promote Presley's latest film, Frankie & Johnny. [15] Although Neal remained Presley's official manager, Parker was becoming increasingly involved in the running of his career, and by the summer of 1955 he had become Presley's "special advisor". [66] Some suggested that Parker married Marie to disguise his illegal status in the United States;[65] a marriage to a U.S. citizen with a child could help him bury his past in a "ready-made family". . . Elvis is signed exclusively to the Colonel. He feels exploited and fires Parker on the stage during his Las Vegas show. Breda, Breda Municipality, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Austin had spent much of his fortune on partying, cars, mansions, and women, and his popularity had been eclipsed by other singers, such as Bing Crosby. Luhrmann hasn't really . He was mysterious and colorful, and, under his guidance, his one and only client -- Elvis -- reached unimaginable heights. A symbiotic relationship," Hanks added. Presley's career stagnated while artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys dominated the charts. [citation needed] After a cold reception during his first few shows,[30] Parker cut Presley's appearance to two weeks. 4. Later, in 1983, Parker admitted during an interview that after 1966, the income from Presley films and soundtracks was dramatically reduced. The claim of Parker's Dutch heritage was publicly confirmed when Parker unsuccessfully tried to avert a lawsuit brought against him in 1982 by asserting in open court that he was a Dutch citizen. What was Colonel Tom Parker worth when he died? He realized that by keeping RCA Victor, and more importantly the public, hungry for more Presley material, he would be able to negotiate a better contract when Presley returned from active service. In 1968, Presley achieved renewed fame when he starred in the NBC television special "Elvis." Tom discovered Elvis in 1955 when he was 20, but their partnership wasn't . Additionally, Tual determined that Parker's handling of Presley's business affairs was unethical. He then re-enlisted at Fort Barrancas in Florida. He is known for Spinout (1966), Kissin' Cousins (1964) and Jailhouse Rock (1957). So Where'd All The Money Go??? It was also reported that he had up to $ 30 million in gambling debts several times in his life. After Parker's death in 1997, the home was used as a law . Then she was hired on as Elvis' tour secretary and traveled . Colonel Tom Parker Net Worth : $1 Million. [44] At the time, Presley's back catalog was not considered very important and RCA initially calculated it at being worth much less, but in later years it would become one of the most valuable record catalogs in the music business. [8], In May 1929, Van Kuijk returned to the United States at age 19, finding work with carnivals due to his previous experience in the Netherlands. [4] During his first visit there, he traveled with a Chautauqua educational tent show, before returning briefly to the Netherlands. [15] However, RCA Victor producer Steve Sholes was convinced that Presley's style of music would be a huge hit with the right label, and he began talks with Parker. Parker returned to the U.S . With no touring or public appearances to be made, Parker was able to keep costs to a minimum. Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 02:32, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Tom Parker Is Dead at 87; Controlled Presley's Career", "Colonel Parker Managed Elvis' Career, but Was He a Killer on the Lam? [55] The book was published one year later on July 12, 1977, one month before Presley's death. His films still made money and his albums still sold well, but the profits were falling. Part biography, part murder mystery and perhaps the most thoroughly researched . Stick around for t. Here are the best information about what was colonel tom parker worth when he died voted by users and compiled by 5 WS, invite you to learn together. [52], In February 1975, during his engagement in Las Vegas, Presley, along with Parker, met with Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters. [15] Despite this, Phillips was not keen to let him go easily, advising Parker that he would require $40,000 (US$404,621 in 2021 dollars[11]) to secure the release of Presley's contract, a completely unheard-of sum at the time. While Neal was originally the singer's official manager, Parker was the one most involved in running Presley's career. He negotiated Presley's lucrative merchandising deals, TV appearances, and acting roles in films. Burial. Colonel Tom Parker was a Dutch-American talent manager and music businessman. Parker then returned to the Netherlands before going back to the US when he was 19, again illegally. [5] However, Judge Joseph Evans, aware that Lisa Marie Presley was still a minor, appointed attorney Blanchard E. Tual to investigate Parker's management. In the early 80s, an investigation was launched into Parker's management of Presley. Profession: Elvis' manager. He also lost a large portion of Elvis' personal wealth. Presley's acting career was originally intended to be a serious one, but after seeing a chance to cross-promote singles and albums with the films, Parker persuaded Presley to sing in his films. Parker was the Tampa dogcatcher known as The Colonel, who managed Elvis Presley with a deal that controversially landed him 50% of the King of Rock and Roll's earnings.