These are the top 10 highest-earning dead celebrities

Los Angeles - Michael Jackson has topped a list of highest-earning dead celebrities for the second year in a row.

The late Thriller hitmaker - who died of acute Propofol intoxication in June 2009 - brought in an estimated $140m in the past year for his estate, Forbes magazine reports.

The money came from Cirque du Soleil shows Immortal and One, as well as his half of the Sony/ATV publishing catalogue, his own Mijac catalogue and his posthumous album, Xscape, which was released earlier this year.

Forbes commented: "Few celebrities prove the point that there is (financial) life after death better than Michael Jackson."


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The staggering sum was more than twice what second-placed Elvis Presley, who died in 1977, earned in the last 12 months, and the Jailhouse Rock singer's $55m was considerably higher than the earnings of third-placed Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, who made $40m.

Michael's late friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor - who died in 2011 and took top spot on the Forbes list a year later - came in at fourth place with $25m, one spot ahead of late reggae legend Bob Marley, who generated $20m.

Completing the list were Marilyn Monroe in sixth spot thanks to earnings of $17m, Beatles legend John Lennon and scientist Albert Einstein, with their $12m and $11m earning them seventh and eighth place respectively.


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Five stars - Dr Seuss writer Theodor Geisel, actors Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen and James Dean, and model Bettie Page - tied with $9m earnings to take the final place on the list.

According to Forbes - who compiled the list using estimated earnings and spoke to estate managers, lawyers and licensors - the 13 deceased stars earned a total of $363.5m between October 2013 and 14.

Forbes' Highest-Earning Dead Celebrities 2014:

1. Michael Jackson, $140 million

2. Elvis Presley, $55 million

3. Charles Schulz, $40 million

4. Dame Elizabeth Taylor, $25 million

5. Bob Marley, $20 million

6. Marilyn Monroe, $17 million

7. John Lennon, $12 million

8. Albert Einstein, $11 million

9. Theodor Geisel, $9 million

9. Bruce Lee, $9 million

9. Steve McQueen, $9 million

9. Bettie Page, $9 million

9. James Dean, $9 million.