Michael Jackson has regained the title of the highest-earning dead
celebrity in the past year, easily surpassing Elvis Presley and
cartoonist Charles Schulz, according to Forbes magazine.
After being pushed into second place by Elizabeth Taylor last
year, Jackson, who died in 2009, was back on top with
estimated earnings of $160 million (£98.9 million) in the 12 months
from October 2012.
"He earned the bulk of his bucks from two Cirque du Soleil
shows, his Mijac Music catalog, recorded music sales and his
half of the Sony/ATV publishing empire - which includes the
copyright to hits by the Beatles, Lady Gaga, Eminem and
Taylor Swift, among others"
Michael Jackson was named the second highest-earning dead
celebrity in the past year. Credit: All Action/EMPICS Entertainment
Taylor dropped to fourth place with earnings of $25 million
(£15.4 million), a huge dip from last year when her estate pulled in
an estimated $210 million (£129.7 million) with much of it from
the auction of her jewels.
The top ten of the highest-earning dead celebrities are:
Michael Jackson: $160 million (£98.8 million)
Elvis Presley: $55 million (£34 million)
Charles M Schulz: $37million (£22.9 million)
Elizabeth Taylor: $25 million (£15.4 million)
Bob Marley: $18 million (£11.1 million)
Marilyn Monroe: $15 million (£9.2 million)
John Lennon: $12 million (£7.4 million)
Albert Einstein: $10 million (£6.1 million)
Bettie Page: $10 million (£6 million)
Theodor Geisel: $9 million (£5.5 million)