According to Forbes list of the Top Earning Dead Celebrities, Michael Jackson is the highest earning one for the past year. The Thriller maker, who passed away in June 2009, has reportedly earned $275 million since his death, which puts him on top of that list.
The superstar’s earnings were even more than the other 12 people on the list combined, including Elvis Presley and John Lennon, thanks to the “shrewd negotiations” of his estate.
“Jackson’s posthumous earnings have been bolstered by shrewd negotiations by his estate, including a merchandising deal and the rights to his name and likeness for the Sony film This Is It, which grossed over a quarter of a billion dollars,” Forbes said.
The previously mentioned Elvis came second with earnings of $60 million, while Lord of the Rings writer J. R. R Tolkien was third with $50 million.
Other deceased stars in the list of 13 include author Stieg Larsson and scientist Albert Einstein.
