STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Michael Jackson Tops Forbes List

King of Pop's estate earns $160 million, leads list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities.

A year after Elizabeth Taylor beat him for first place, Michael Jackson has reclaimed his position as Forbes' 2013 "Top-Earning Dead Celebrity." 

The King of Pop's estate brought in $160 million between June 2012 and July 2013, trampling the earnings of Madonna, who ranked No. 1 on Forbes' Celebrity 100 list raking in $125 million among living celebrities over the same period. Jackson's windfall marks the third time in five years that the world's top earning celebrity is deceased.

Second place on the posthumous income tally went to another king, Elvis Presley, with $55 million, followed by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz at $37 million. Taylor ($25 million), Bob Marley ($18 million) and Marilyn Monroe ($15 million) round out the Top 5. 

The brunt of Jackson's earnings came from Cirque du Soleil shows One, featuring a hologram-esque version of the music legend performing "Man in the Mirror;" and Immortal, which grossed some $300 million in the last year. Additional revenue is brought in by his part ownership of the Sony ATV catalog, including hits from The Beattles.  

Jackson died suddenly from cardiac arrest in June 2009. The death was later ruled a homicide from an accidental overdose of propofol, a sedative typically used for upper endoscopy procedures, given to him as a sleeping aid by Dr. Conrad Murray, his personal physician. Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2011.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

 

(Photo: Brenda Chase/Online USA)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.