Colonel Tom Parker: I don't think I exploited Elvis as much as he's being exploited today.
Parker had to lie about his childhood as Elvis' fame grew. Until it was found out that Parker was a Dutch citizen, he claimed he was born in Huntington, West Virginia.
After the death of Elvis, Parker became involved in legal disputes with Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla, over Presley's estate. He did agree to sell some of Elvis' major recordings to RCA for $2 million and to drop any claims he had to Elvis' estate.
The truth about Parker being from the Netherlands was confirmed when Parker's family recognized him in photos of him with Elvis. This was confirmed when The Colonel tried to avert a lawsuit in the 1980s by asserting that he was a Dutch Citizen.
After the death of Elvis in 1977, Parker would appear at posthumous events honoring him, such as the 1993 issuing of the United States Postal Service stamp honoring Presley and several other Elvis-related ceremonies.
Elvis once thratened to fire Parker as his manager.
Colonel Tom Parker officially became Elvis' manager on August 18, 1955.
Before Elvis, Colonel Parker has worked with famous country musicians such as Minnie Pearl, Eddy Arnold, and Hank Snow.
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