Forbes has revealed its annual ranking of the highest-paid dead celebrities which includes deceased musicians, authors, actors, sportsmen, and so on. While they saw $470 million during the past 12 months, it was a 70% decrease from the record-breaking $1.6 billion grossed in 2022.
According to the organization, “Without catalog sales inflating the earnings of deceased stars like Manzarek, the top earners on this year’s list are familiar afterlife performers. Michael Jackson returns to the No. 1 spot for the first time in four years with an estimated $115 million in earnings, followed by his late father-in-law Elvis Presley, and then two beloved artists with Dr. Seuss at No. 4 and Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz at No. 5.”
#1 | $115 Million
Cause of Death: Overdose/Homicide
#2 | $100 Million
#4 | $40 Million
Cause of Death: Cancer
#5 | $30 Million
Charles M. Schulz (February 12, 2000)
Cause of Death: Cancer
Source of Wealth: Schulz Estate and Collaborations
#6 (TIE) | $30 Million
Prince (April 21, 2016)
Cause of Death: Overdose
Source of wealth: Prince Estate and Primary Wave, the Purple One, posthumous albums, and a remastered version of his classic 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls
#7 (TIE) | $30 Million
Whitney Houston (February 11, 2012)
Cause of Death: Drowning
#8 | $22 Million
John Lennon (December 8, 1980)
Cause of Death: Homicide
Source of Wealth: John Lennon’s Estate, royalties from his individual music catalog, and Beatles music.
#9 | $16 Million
Bob Marley (May 11, 1981)
Cause of Death: Cancer
Source of Wealth: Rights on his name and music, a Marley-branded dispensary, and the movie Bob Marley: One Love, starring Kingsley Ben Adir.
#10 | $14 Million
Source of Wealth: Crosby Estate, royalties from his music catalog, and use of his music.
#11 | $14 Million
#12 (TIE) | $10 Million
#12 (TIE) | $10 Million
