Michael Jackson was the highest-earning deceased star.
Michael Jackson passed away eight years ago, yet he continues to earn millions of dollars. According to Forbes magazine, Jackson has topped the list of the highest-earning deceased celebrities for the fifth consecutive year.
Specifically, Jackson topped the list of the 13 highest-earning deceased celebrities, with Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson One performance in Las Vegas and his compilation album of his biggest hits, titled Scream, along with other projects, raking in $75 million last year.
 |
| King of Pop Michael Jackson |
Golf legend Arnold Palmer ranks second on the list with earnings of $40 million. Palmer's wealth comes primarily from sales of AriZona lemonade, iced tea, and apparel bearing his name.
Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic series, ranked third with earnings of $38 million. This money was earned thanks to the profitable MetLife campaign and book sales at retail stores.
 |
| Elvis Presley |
Two other singers made it into the Top 5 on this year's list: "King of Rock" Elvis Presley, ranked 4th with earnings of $35 million, and Bob Marley, ranked 5th with earnings of $23 million.
Presley's earnings came primarily from the opening of two new properties in Graceland: the Guesthouse Hotel and the Memphis Entertainment Complex.
Meanwhile, reggae superstar Marley earned $23 million from its House of Marley sound equipment and Marley beverage company, which includes a variety of natural teas, coffees, and soft drinks.
 |
| Bob Marley |
Three recently deceased singers also made it onto Forbes' list this year, including rock star Tom Petty, who passed away on October 3rd. Petty ranked sixth on the list with earnings of $20 million, earned from his spring and summer tour, which concluded on September 25th.
Legendary Prince, who died in April 2016 from a painkiller overdose, ranks 7th on the list with earnings of $18 million. Meanwhile, David Bowie, the British rock star who died in January 2016 from liver cancer, ranks 11th with earnings of $9.5 million.
Physicist Albert Einstein ranked 10th with earnings of $10 million. This money was earned from his name and various products featuring his face.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Taylor ranked 12th with earnings of $8 million. The income of this "violet-eyed" film legend was mainly earned from her perfume empire, which included the bestselling fragrances White Diamonds and Passion.
Former Beatles member John Lennon ranked 9th with earnings of $12 million, primarily from publishing deals, album sales, and other projects.
Finally, model Bettie Paige ranked 13th with earnings of $7.5 million, partly from lucrative deals such as clothing, accessories, and lingerie.
 |
| Elizabeth Taylor |
The list of famous deceased figures compiled by Forbes magazine is based on pre-tax earnings from October 15, 2016 to October 15, 2017.
| Forbes' list of the 13 highest-earning deceased individuals of 2017: 1. Michael Jackson, singer, died in 2009: $75 million 2. Arnold Palmer, golfer, died in 2016: $40 million 3. Charles Schulz, comic book artist, died in 2000: $38 million 4. Elvis Presley, singer, died in 1977: $35 million 5. Bob Marley, singer, died in 1981: $23 million 6. Tom Petty, singer, died in 2017: $20 million 7. Prince, singer, died in 2016: $18 million 8. Dr. Seuss, author, died in 1991: $16 million 9. John Lennon, singer, died in 1980: $12 million 10. Albert Einstein, physicist, died in 1955: $10 million 11. David Bowie, singer, died in 2016: $9.5 million 12. Elizabeth Taylor, actress, died in 2011: $8 million 13. Bettie Paige, model, died in 2008: $7.5 million. |
According to TT&VH
| RELATED NEWS |
|---|
