Michael Jackson’s empire continues to flourish!
On Wednesday (October 12th), it was revealed that the King of Pop is now No. 1 on Forbes’ 2016 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list.
In 1995, Jackson earned $115 million from Sony for a 50/50 paternership deal for Sony/ATV Publishing, after buying it for $47 million in 1985 (which is equivalent to $160 million today). In March of 2016, Jackson’s estate sold his remaining half to Sony for $750 million. “Jackson’s total pretax payday of $825 million ranks as the biggest annual haul by any celeb dead or alive,” noted Forbes.
Following in second place is cartoonist Charles Schulz, who is known for his iconic Peanuts franchise, with $48 million. Golf veteran Arnold Palmer, who passed away just last month, claims the No. 3 spot with $40 million.
Closing out the top five are music icons Elvis Presley and Prince, with $27 million and $25 million, respectively.
Check out Forbes’ Top 13 Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities below:
- Michael Jackson (d. 2009) – $825 million
- Charles Schulz (d. 2000) – $48 million
- Arnold Palmer (d. 2016) – $40 million
- Elvis Presley (d. 1977) – $27 million
- Prince (d. 2016) – $25 million
- Bob Marley (d. 1981) – $21 million
- Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel (d. 1991) – $20 million
- John Lennon (d. 1980) – $12 million
- Albert Einstein (d. 1955) – $11.5 million
- Bettie Page (d. 2008) – $11 million
- David Bowie (d. 2016) – $10.5 million
- Steve McQueen (d. 1980) – $9 million
- Elizabeth Taylor (d. 2011) – $8 million
