Michael Jackson tops list of high-earning dead celebrities

Michael Jackson has been named the No. 1 earning deceased celebrity of 2015.

This is the third year in a row that the late King of Pop has topped the annual Forbes list which compares the earnings of late public figures.

Since his death in July 2009, Michal Jackson’s estate has earned, before taxes, over $1 billion.

In 2015 alone, Jackson has made $155 million, which puts him far ahead of the second highest earning dead celebrity, Elvis Presley, who comes in at No. 2 on the list with $55 million.

The key sources of income for Michael Jackson’s estate include the permanent Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show ‘Michael Jackson One’, the Mijac Music catalogue which contains all of his recordings, and his 50% share in Sony/ATV publishing.

Other music stars making it onto the list include Bob Marley with earnings of $21 million and John Lennon with $12 million.

The full Forbes top-earning celebrities list 2015 is as follows:

1. Michael Jackson: $115m (£75m)

2. Elvis Presley: $55m (£35.8m)

3. Charles Schulz: $40m (£26m)

4. Bob Marley: $21m (£13.7m)

5. Elizabeth Taylor: $20m (£13m)

6. Marilyn Monroe: $17m (£11m)

7. John Lennon: $12m (£7.8m)

8. Albert Einstein: $11m (£7.1m)

9. Paul Walker: $10.5m (£6.8m)

10. Bettie Page: $10m (£6.5m)