For his part, Parker himself died with a net worth of $1 million, or roughly . He . [64] In 1993, in one of his last media appearances, Parker appeared in a television interview with Dutch TV director Jorrit van der Kooi where they spoke to each other in Dutch about the Netherlands and about Elvis Presley's life and career. [4][5] Tual, once appointed as Lisa Marie's guardian ad litem, chose to investigate the entire period of Parker's management of Presley; his preliminary finding was that Parker's management deal of 50% was extortionate compared to the industry average of 1520%. 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. He influenced Presley's personal life, including Presley's decisions to accept military service in 1958 and to marry Priscilla Beaulieu in 1967. By this time, Parker was aware that Presley needed a rest from touring and the chance to deal with his prescription drug addictions. Into his late 80s, Colonel Tom Parker began to struggle with various illnesses including diabetes and gout. [26] Presley said of Parker: "I don't think I would have ever been very big if it wasn't for him. [15] RCA made it clear it were unwilling to go above $25,000 for a practically unknown singer,[15] but Parker persuaded them that Presley was no ordinary unknown singer. Elvis was given a spot in the Louisiana Hayride, a radio show, and Colonel Parker knew that this young lad could prove to be a dark horse. [4] During his first visit there, he traveled with a Chautauqua educational tent show, before returning briefly to the Netherlands. [52], In February 1975, during his engagement in Las Vegas, Presley, along with Parker, met with Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters. "[60], In 1994, a Golden Palm Star on the Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California, was dedicated to him. But the Colonel quickly got to work, starting as Elvis' advisor before they signed a contract giving him sole rights . He is known for Spinout (1966), Kissin' Cousins (1964) and Jailhouse Rock (1957). 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. What was Colonel Tom Parker's net worth when he died? Despite earning over $100 million during his lifetime, at the time of his death Colonel Tom Parker was reportedly worth less than $1 million. [16] Remembering his previous experience with Sands, Sholes dismissed Sands as a viable replacement for Presley.[16]. After a heated argument between the two, Presley told Parker he was fired. At the time of his death in 1997, he was worth $1 million. By 1984, with his gambling debts reportedly rising again, he was evicted. What Tom Hanks Thinks Of His Tom Parker Role . Nearly as legendary as his famous client was Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager. Colonel Tom Parker used to earn a good amount of money while he was working for US army. Following this, Presley's career declined drastically as he became increasingly reliant on prescription drugs. [58], Following Presley's death, Parker set up a licensing operation with Factors Etc. [41] With Priscilla's father dropping heavy hints, and fear that their relationship might become public beforehand, Parker persuaded Presley that he should make an "honest woman" of her in the very near future. Colonel Tom Parker was best known as Elvis Presley's manager. [57], Parker set out to protect his future income. 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. [40] These deals were sometimes so harsh on the studios that it led producer Hal Wallis to state: "I'd rather try and close a deal with the Devil. With 1956 coming to a close, Parker had made Presley one of the most well-known, well-paid entertainers in the world. Later in 1975, the government of Saudi Arabia offered Parker $5 million for Presley to perform there. Parker served two years in the 64th Coast Artillery (United States), at Fort Shafter, in Hawaii, and shortly afterwards re-enlisted at Fort Barrancas, Florida. There, he worked at carnivals. However, that was not the case since Elvis was still under contract to Bob Neal. [4] By this time, with the IRS demanding almost $15 million in taxes, the estate was facing bankruptcy. While working in the circus in 1935, Parker wed Marie Francis Mott. He had booked Presley into a four-week Las Vegas engagement, misjudging the reaction of the slightly older, more reserved audiences that Las Vegas attracted. . Elvis Presley shot to stardom as a rock 'n roll legend, a legacy that still continues almost 50 years after the King's death. [43] A breakfast reception was arranged, taking place after the media got their photographs of the couple. [4], "Colonel Tom Parker rubbed my head in Vegas", Eddie Murphy stated in 1989. Parker had unknowingly backed himself into a financial corner. [9] He began to build up a list of contacts that would prove valuable in later years. At the time of Presley's death in 1977, it was suspected that Parker owed the Las Vegas Hilton over $30 million ($134,151,565 in 2021 dollars[11]) in gambling losses. LOANNE PARKER Loanne Miller Parker, long-time resident of Las Vegas and widow of Elvis Presley manager Colonel Tom Parker, Dies at 84. [50] They hired private detectives to find out where the drugs were coming from and were successful in stopping any more from reaching Presley. In 1953 Parker bought a house in Madison, Tennessee, where Presley would visit and stay while recording. Colonel Tom Parker passed away on January 21, 1997 at 87 years old.Colonel Tom Parker Net Worth. [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. Parker's net worth when he died was $1 million. After a lifetime of earning well over $100 million managing Elvis, The Colonel's estate was barely worth $1 million upon his death. Parker appeared to be in complete control during Presley's time away, but he was worried about the outside influence that Presley might encounter in West Germany. Stick around for t. [53] Seeing it as a chance to finally be taken seriously as an actor, Presley agreed to take the role if the contracts could be worked out. [55] According to Presley's friend, Larry Geller, Parker secretly wanted the book to be published, hoping that it would help Presley realize the severity of his situation and persuade him to do something about it. [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. "That didn't come out in this country until 1981." Parker, who was born in the Netherlands, entered the United States illegally when he was 20 years old. [72], His funeral was held at the Hilton Hotel and was attended by a handful of friends and former associates, including Eddy Arnold and Sam Phillips. Parker held another press conference on September 4, 1972, in Las Vegas to confirm that the concert, now titled Aloha from Hawaii, would be broadcast on January 14, 1973. He was best known for being the manager of Elvis Presley. He is portrayed by Tom . The Wanted singer Tom Parker has died from a brain tumour at the age of 33. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. 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. 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. [4], On August 14, 1981, Judge Evans ordered Elvis Presley Enterprises to sue Parker for mismanagement. Parker died in 1997 at the age of 87. That number is down significantly from an estimated $100 million . [44] However, Presley had asked him to raise funds to pay for his upcoming divorce settlement, and Priscilla divorced Elvis in 1973. Inc, to control Presley merchandise and keep a steady income supporting his estate. Net Worth: $1 Million. Colonel Tom Parker was a Dutch-American talent manager and music businessman. Their instincts were proven right; the TV special proved an enormous hit, and the album that was released featuring performances from the special became a best-seller, but the comeback special was interrupted when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968. He would call his flamboyant manager, Col. Tom Parker, and ask Parker to book another tour (Presley's average concert gross in the mid-'70s was $130,000 a night) or schedule another recording . [53] Promoters in South America also made offers, as much as $2.5 million, and all of them were turned down by Parker; "Well, whenever I need $2.5 million I'll call you," he once said to them. [14] Parker served in the peacetime army as a precondition for taking advantage of that stipulation, but he never subsequently applied to become a citizen. In 1977, Elvis died of a heart attack at only 42. [14] The job not only offered him a secure wage, it also offered a rent-free apartment above the Humane Society in a remote part of West Tampa for him and his family. That's $35 million (28m) today and considerably less than what they were actually worth. To hide that he was an illegal immigrant, he adopted the name Tom Parker, which was the name of the officer who interviewed him. Presley was never one to stand up against Parker, but he knew that this TV show was his one chance at a true comeback, and with Binder backing him, Presley told Parker he was doing it "Binder's way". [37] He allowed him to perform three live shows in 1961, all charity events, two in Memphis and one in Hawaii. Loanne Parker, wife of Colonel Tom Parker, passed away earlier this week.Loanne had a strong connection to Las Vegas, Nevada - even though she was from southern Ohio - and she had an even stronger connection to Elvis. Elvis Presley was only 42 years old when he died on August 16, 1977 (via History). [50] This would be successful for a short time, but when Presley discovered the trick, he simply found himself other doctors. To garner Presley new publicity and to help tame his wild impulses, Parker had him marry Priscilla Beaulieu, who had been living with Presley for four years already. Parker appeared at posthumous events honoring Presley, such as the 1993 issuing of a U.S. postage stamp with Presley's likeness. On January 20, 1997, Parker suffered a stroke, and died the following morning in a Las Vegas hospital. [41] In Houston alone in one afternoon, 40,000 people paid to see it, with one woman offering to have sex with the tour manager if he would allow her to sit in it. The Colonel was involved in Elvis' music career from very early on. He is also said to have had gambling debts of up to $30 million at different times. But this guy is like eighty years old too old to be taught the limits of racism He probably doesn't realize how horrible a thing that was to do. Parker hoped that marriage would not only boost Presley's career but also possibly tame him. The 100th birthday of Colonel Parker. [68] Parker began to distance himself emotionally from her, heartbroken by her slow mental deterioration from the woman he once knew. Elvis' estate, on the other hand, reportedly owed the Las Vegas . Colonel Tom Parker's House. When critics questioned this arrangement and that Parker was exploiting Presley for more money because of greed, Presley quipped "I could have signed with East Coast Entertainment where they take 70 percent! [65] Unbeknown to Parker at the time, she had a second son from her first marriage, but had given him up for adoption at birth due to his disability (a club foot). [53] Parker turned the offer down, and Presley was overjoyed when they replied with another offer of $10 million. He facilitated Presley's rise to superstardom in the 50s, and also influenced his decisions to accept his military draft and to marry his wife Priscilla, among other things. [35] He sent Presley's friends to keep him company, arranged for business associates to watch over him while they were working in Europe, and kept in regular contact with him. It was also reported that he had up to $ 30 million in gambling debts several times in his life. [53] Despite this, however, the deal never materialized. [53] Presley was beginning to consider new management, with Concerts West co-founder Tom Hulett being the clear favorite for the job. 'Life with you was never dull' More on The Wanted [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. [56] Shortly afterward, he traveled to Memphis for Presley's funeral. Picture: Getty Parker managed the Presley estate for the rest of his life, but he had also sold the rights to Presley's early recordings. Part biography, part murder mystery and perhaps the most thoroughly researched . [16] Soon after, Sands' song "Teen-Age Crush" reached number 2 on the pop charts, eventually selling 800,000 copies. In 1968, Presley achieved renewed fame when he starred in the NBC television special "Elvis." Colonel Tom Parker was a Dutch-American talent manager and musical entrepreneur who had a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death in 1997. [50] In later years, several of Presley's inner circle would tell of how difficult it was to persuade Presley to quit the drugs. [4] At age 17, he first displayed signs of wanting to run away to the United States to "make his fortune". [41] The Cadillac tour proved to be somewhat more successful than the film itself. He also lost a big chunk of Elvis's own money. [18] A one-year management contract with Presley provided Moore with a 10-percent commission, which Moore said he never took. The singer was raking in cash hand over fist from these engagements, but he found them artistically . [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. Memorial ID. Net Worth: $1 Million; Date of Birth: Jun 26, 1909 - Jan 21, 1997 (87 years old) What is Colonel Tom Parker worth? No, he didn't. That's the kicker. The two had become almost strangers, and false reports in the media suggested that Presley's contract was up for sale. [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". It was producer Steve Binder who put forward the idea of Presley singing his old hits and even the staged section with his old band, Scotty Moore and D. J. Fontana, the latter inspired by a post-rehearsal informal jam in Presley's dressing room. [48], Aloha from Hawaii proved to be the last great moment in Presley's career. [16] Critics were very positive in their reviews of both the drama and Sands, leading to Capitol Records signing Sands within a week. [15] Around the same time, realizing the deal for Presley might fall through due to the cost of the contract, Parker attempted to sell Tommy Sands to RCA. [4], Parker had worked as a "consultant" for Hilton Hotels since Presley's death,[60] with some believing he was working to pay off debts owed to the casino from his gambling during Presley's performances there. Parker encouraged Presley to make film musicals which became the focus of his career during his commercial decline in the 1960s until his 1968 comeback and return to touring. [1], Parker was born as Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk on June 26, 1909, in Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands,[4] and was the seventh of eleven children. In early 1997, he passed away from a stroke in Las Vegas at the age of 87.