10 Top-earning Dead Celebrities

If you thought that death would stop some of the best the world has ever known from raking in the millions, then this list of top-earning dead celebrities will set the record straight for you. The list is made up of professionals in different fields including entertainment, sports, and even science. Sitting on top of the list of top earning dead celebrities is world-renowned king of pop, Michael Jackson who died eight years ago. Jackson might be dead, but his legacy still lives on and is still generating millions of dollars. In fact, he’ s earning a lot more than many talented singers who are still breathing today. Jackson is the first on Forbes’ top-earning dead celebrities for the fifth straight year, with a whopping $75m. According to Forbes, Jackson’s earnings are boosted by a new greatest hits album, a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show as well as a stake in the EMI music publishing catalogue. Apparently, there are several ways to earn money from the grave. Two other singers join Jackson in the top five. While Elvis Presley comes in fourth with $35m, legendary ragea musician Bob Marley ranks fifth with $23m. Also, golf legend Arnold Palmer is the second-highest earner on the list. The American professional golfer brought in $40m in part through sales of Arizona lemonade and ice tea beverage made in his name. Rounding up the top three is American cartoonist Charles Schulz, best known as the creator of the Peanuts franchise. He made $38m. Take a look at the 10 top-earning dead celebrities

Michael Jackson $75 million

Arnold Palmer $40 million

Charles Schulz $38 million

Elvis Presley $35 million

Bob Marley $23 million

Tom Petty $20 million

Prince $18 million

Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel $16 million

John Lennon $12 million

Albert Einstein $10

 The list measures pretax income from October 15, 2016 through October 15, 2017 before deducting cuts for agents, managers and lawyers. Sources include Nielsen SoundScan, IMDB, Pollstar Pro and interviews with celebrity estate experts.