Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley Top ForbesList of Top-Earning Dead Celebritie

Share this article

Forbes has released its annual list of the 15 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities, with Michael Jacksonleading the pack for the second year in a row.

The King of Pop’s estate brought in an estimated $170 million over the past 12 months from sales of his music as well as his stake in Sony.

Following Jackson is Elvis Presley, who netted $55 million last year, owing in part to the Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis, in which tickets go for as much as $175 a pop.

Marilyn Monroe ranks number three with $27 million, and fellow screen icon Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away this year, comes in at number five (tied with John Lennon) at $12 million.

Monroe’s earnings can be attributed to the revamping of her estate earlier this year, while a big portion of Taylor’s income comes from the sale of her fragrance White Diamonds.

Check out the FULL list below!

1. Michael Jackson (d. 2009) – $170 million

2. Elvis Presley (d. 1977) – $55 million

3. Marilyn Monroe (d. 1962) – $27 million

4. Charles Schulz (“Peanuts” cartoonist, d. 2000) – $25 million

5. Elizabeth Taylor (d. 2011) – $12 million

6. John Lennon (d. 1980) – $12 million

7. Albert Einstein (d. 1955) – $10 million

8. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss, d. 1991) – $9 million

9. Jimi Hendrix (d. 1970) – $7 million

10. Stieg Larsson (author, d. 2004) – $7 million

11. Steve McQueen (actor, d. 1980) – $7 million

12. Richard Rodgers (songwriter, d. 1979) – $7 million

13. George Harrison (d. 2011) – $6 million

14. Bettie Page (actress, d. 2008) – $6 million

15. Andy Warhol (d. 1987) – $6 million

Source; gossipcop.com / itselvistime.nl / EpGold