Michael Jackson Is Still In No. 1! – Top 10 Highest Earning Dead Celebrities
Michael Joseph Jackson born on August 29, 1958, and died on June 25, 2009, was one of the most legendary American singer, dancer, and songwriter of all times. He gained the title “King of Pop” because of his best-selling records and contributions to the music, dance, and fashion industries. For over four decades, he became one of the hottest celebrities worldwide.
Image Credit: Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com
Now, it’s been nine years since Michael Jackson died but still got the number 1 spot for the annual list of the highest-paid dead celebrities. Michael Jackson acquired $400 million in the previous year, most of which came from the sale of his share in EMI Music Publishing. Then, there is also his Mijac Music catalog, a new record deal with Sony, and some television projects which includes the TV special “Michael Jackson Halloween.”
It was surprising to know that The King of Pop – Michael Jackson, is ahead by ten times than the other King, Elvis Presley who ranked second-highest-earning dead celebrity with only $40 million in earnings. Though Elvis sells more than a million albums annually, most of his income came from Graceland and Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex.
Top 3 is Arnold Palmer with $35 million. He is a Golf legend that has been a constant top earner even after his death; this is due to the 400 stores that carry the Palmer clothing brand all over Asia and the AriZona beverages’ that sells 400 million cans each year.
Charles Schulz, the Peanuts creator, landed in the fourth spot with $34 million. His after death income came mostly from the MetLife campaign with Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Schulz’s contract with the company will expire on 2019.
In the fifth spot is Reggae legend Bob Marley, a Jamaican singer-songwriter who became an international cultural and musical icon with $23 million. Most of his income came from selling headphones, Marley Natural cannabis, and smoking accessories.
The famous American author, cartoonist, and filmmaker Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel ranked sixth-highest-paid dead celebrity with $16 million. Dr. Seuss gained 4.8 million from his best-selling books in the previous year.
Hugh Hefner, the controversial Playboy founder, is in the seventh place with $15 million in earnings. Hefner’s heirs were able to sell the rest of his estate for $35 million last year. It was the Twinkies and Hostess brands heir Daren Metropoulos who bought the expensive Playboy mansion.
Famous American actress, model, and singer Marilyn Monroe ranked eighth place with $14 million. Most of her income came from new licensing deals which include the one with Montblanc pens.
Prince Rogers Nelson or also known as the legendary PRINCE, an American singer, musician, songwriter, record producer, and filmmaker is in the ninth place with $13 million, most of which came from his record albums.
Tenth-place on the list of highest earning celebrities is John Lennon an English singer, songwriter, and peace advocate with $12 million. His earnings mostly came from the sale of two million record albums.
