Michael Jackson earned about $160 million in the last year, making him the top-earning dead celebrity of 2013, as well as the top-earning celebrity period, since his estate’s accumulation of wealth even bested Madonna’s $125 million income.
The “Thriller” hitmaker’s wealth nearly tripled runner-up Elvis Presley’s $55 million on Forbes‘ annual list (yes, another one) of posthumous celebrity wealth compiled from just in time for Halloween.
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Most of Jackson’s money from beyond the grave comes courtesy of two Cirque du Soleil shows, “Immortal” and “One” — the former of which has grossed over $300 million since opening last year. The rest of the Jackson estate’s fortune comes from his music and his half of the Sony-ATV catalog that owns hits from The Beatles and Lady Gaga.
Charles Schultz, the cartoonist who created Charlie Brown and the “Peanuts” gang, raked in $37 million between Oct. 2012 and Oct. 2013, making him the third highest-earning dead celebrity.
Actress Elizabeth Taylor topped last year’s list with $210 million in posthumous earnings — largely due to the auction of her belongings after her 2011 death — but dropped to fourth place in the last 12 months with $25 million netted from her perfume line, movie rights and investments.
See the top ten list of highest-earning dead celebrities below:
1. Michael Jackson $160
2. Elvis Presley: $55 million
3. Charles Schultz: $37 million
4. Elizabeth Taylor: $25 million
5. Bob Marley: $18 million
6. Marilyn Monroe: $15 million
7. John Lennon: $12 million
8. Albert Einstein: $10 million
9. Bettie Page: $10 million
10. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss): $9 million