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Michael Jackson tops list of highest-earning dead celebrities

LOS ANGELES — Even five years after his death, Michael Jackson is still making big bucks, earning an estimated US$140 million (S$178 million) in the past year for his estate, according to Forbes.

Michael Jackson performing in 1993. Photo: Reuters

Michael Jackson performing in 1993. Photo: Reuters

LOS ANGELES — Even five years after his death, Michael Jackson is still making big bucks, earning an estimated US$140 million (S$178 million) in the past year for his estate, according to Forbes.

Jackson topped Forbes’ 2014 list of the top-earning dead celebrities, which was released online yesterday (Oct 15). He earned more than twice as much as the second placed celebrity — singer Elvis Presley, who died in 1977.

“Few celebrities prove the point that there is (financial) life after death better than Michael Jackson,” said Forbes. The King of Pop has released a second posthumous album this year, and also performed (in hologram form) during the Billboard Music Awards in May.

The biggest moneymaking ventures for the Jackson estate this year however remains the proceeds from his music catalogue and two Cirque du Soleil shows, Immortal and One.

Forbes’ list compiles posthumous earnings of celebrities from October 2013 to 2014. They estimated the earnings through talks with the celebrities’ estate managers, agents, music publishers, lawyers and other individuals “in-the-know”.

It is Jackson’s second straight year on top the list. The top 13 highest earning dead celebrities comprised of five actors, four singers, two cartoonists, a pin-up model and a scientist. They made a total of US$363.5 million for their estates over the last 12 months.

Check out the top 13 below:

1. Michael Jackson- US$140 million

2. Elvis Presley - US$55 million

3. Charles Schulz - US$40 million

4. Elizabeth Taylor - US$25 million

5. Bob Marley - US$20 million

6. Marilyn Monroe - US$17 million

7. John Lennon - US$12 million

8. Albert Einstein - US$11 million

9. Theodor Geisel - US$9 million (tied)

9. Bruce Lee - US$9 million (tied)

9. Steve McQueen - US$9 million (tied)

9. Bettie Page - US$9 million (tied)

13. James Dean - US$7 million

Sources: Forbes, Reuters

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