The late King Of Pop tops Forbes list of highest-paid dead celebrities
Michael Jackson might be dead, but he is still making tons of money; more than even some celebrities still alive.
In 2016 the late King Of Pop earned a staggering $825 million, making him far and away the biggest dead celebrity earner of the year.
Forbes explained that one reason Jackson has generated so much revenue is his estate’s decision to sell his half-share of the Beatles catalog to Sony for $750 million.
The Thriller star had purchased the rights to the Fab Four’s music back in 1984 for $47.5 million and then sold 50 percent of it to Sony in 1995 for $115 million. His remaining share was sold to Sony in March this year.
A long way back in second place in the Forbes list released on Wednesday is Peanuts creator Charles Schulz who earned $48 million. He died in 2009.
Schulz continues to rake in millions 16 years after his death mostly as a result of licensing revenue.
Forbes reported that the cartoonist’s earnings were boosted by the release of the 3-D Peanuts movie last year.
Golfer Arnold Palmer died on September 25 at the age of 87 and as a result is included in the list at number three, although obviously most of his $40 million in earnings were made while he was still alive.
Elvis Presley, who died aged 42 in 1977, is ranked number four with $27 million, while Prince who passed away in April is listed at number five with $25 million.
Twenty-five years after his death, Bob Marley’s estate reeled in $21 million.
Dr Seuss – AKA Theodor Geisel – continues to be a money-spinner, making the list at number seven with $20 million.
Beatles songwriter John Lennon, who was murdered in 1980 age 40, made $12 million in 2016.
Listed at number nine is Albert Einstein, who died in 1955, with $11.5 million followed by original pin-up Bettie Page at number 10 with $11 million.
The late David Bowie, who was 69 when he died from cancer in January, earned $10.5 million.
Hollywood hellraiser Steve McQueen earned $9 million. The Great Escape star died in 1980 at age 50.
Rounding out the Forbes list is Elizabeth Taylor, who died five years ago, at number 13 with $8 million.
See list below:
Author and cartoonist Charles Schulz – $48 million
3: Golfer Arnold Palmer – $40 million
4: Elvis Presley – $27 million
5: Prince – $25 million
6: Bob Marley -$21 million
7: Theodor ‘Dr. Seuss’ Geisel – $20 million
8: John Lennon – $12 million
9: Physicist Albert Einstein – $11.5 million
10: Original pin-up girl Bettie Page – $11 million
11 David Bowie – earned $10.5 million
12 Movie star Steve McQueen – $9 million
13: Elizabeth Taylor – $8 million
