Micheal Jackson named highest earning celebrity

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

The late singer – who died in June 2009 – brought in an estimated $140 million in the past year for his estate, according to Forbes magazine.

The money came from Cirque du Soleil shows‘Immortal’ and ‘One’, as well as his half of the Sony/ATV publishing catalogue, his own Mijaccatalogue 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.’ 

 According to Forbes – which compiled the list using estimated earnings and spoke to estate managers, lawyers and licensors – the 13 stars earned a total of $363.5 million 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.