Two kings of music, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley snagged the number 1 and 2 spots respectively, according to Forbes. Jackson is by and far the biggest earner having netted $115 million last year and his estate has been collecting similar sums since the King of Pop’s death in 2009 of an overdose. His posthumous earnings come from music sales, Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson One in Las Vegas, and holdings in Mijac Music and Sony/ATV.
Elvis Presley’s legacy continues to attract a whole new generation of fans who visit Graceland, and his music compilation Elvis Presley Forever hit the Top 40. According to Forbes, the King of Rock and Roll who died in 1977 earned an estimated $55 million in 2015.
3. The creator of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, Charles Schulz is 3rd on the list with earnings of about $40 million, according to Forbes. The “Peanuts” characters are seen today thanks to licensing agreements and have yielded millions for his estate after Schulz died in 2000 at age 77.
4. Reggae legend Bob Marley who made music that is still in high demand. There are two companies associated with this name — a beverage and lifestyle businesses – altogether yielding combined sales earnings of $21 million. The 36-year-old died young from cancer in 1981, but his legacy is still going strong.
5. Rounding out the top 5 is Elizabeth Taylor who earned about $20 million from her “White Diamonds” fragrance, which is still popular. The movie actress who was one of the most talked about people for decades in Hollywood died in 2011 at age 79.
6. Another actress and icon, Marilyn Monroe was the top 6 earner with $17 million thanks to a fashion label licensing her brand for clothes and lingerie. Monroe died in 1962 at age 36 of an overdose.
7. Ex-Beatle John Lennon who was killed in 1980 at age 40 continues to sell records and earn money from a Beatle-themed Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. He made the list at number 7 by earning about $12 million in 2015.
8. Albert Einstein is the only scientist who made the list and made about $11 million from branded merchandise such as posters, t-shirts and electronics. The legendary physicist died in 1955 at age 76 of natural causes.
9. Paul Walker is the most recently deceased on the list after dying from a car accident in 2013 at age 40. The actor was filming The Fast and the Furious 7, which was released after his death. The tragedy spurred the film to gross over $1.5 billion at the box office, and Forbes calculates that his estate received $10 million.
The rest of the list is as follows:
10. Bettie Page “Pin up” model who died in 2008 at age 85 of natural causes. Earnings: $10 million.
11. Theodore Geisel aka Dr. Seuss Children’s book author died in 1991 at age 87 of natural causes. Earnings: $9.5 million.
12. Steve McQueen Actor who died in 1980 from complications of surgery at age 50. Earnings: $9 million.
13. James Dean Actor who died in a car crash in 1955 at age 24. Earnings: $8.5 million.
Source: Forbes
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