Even after death, some celebrities remain commercial powerhouses. According to Forbes' "The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities Of 2024," the top eight deceased stars raked in a staggering $1.1 billion combined!
The King of Pop Reigns Supreme: Topping the list is the legendary Michael Jackson, earning a posthumous $600 million. This windfall can be attributed to a judge's approval of his music catalog's $600 million sale to Sony and the continued success of "MJ: The Musical" on Broadway and on tour.
Queen's Legacy Rocks On Queen frontman Freddie Mercury joins the ranks again, securing an estimated $250 million. This surge is likely due to Queen's $1 billion catalog sale to Sony in June.
Dr. Seuss Continues to Delight: The beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss, occupies the third spot, earning $75 million despite passing away in 1991.
Rock and Reggae Royalty Endure: The King, Elvis Presley, takes fourth place with $50 million, a testament to his enduring legacy. Reggae legend Bob Marley rounds out the top five with $35 million, boosted by the release of his biopic "Bob Marley: One Love" in 2024.
Rounding Out the Top Earners: Pop icon Prince, who tragically passed away in 2016, still generates $35 million annually. Following him is the iconic Charles M. Schulz, creator of the beloved "Peanuts" comic strip featuring Snoopy, who earned $30 million in the past year.
This list highlights the enduring power of music, literature, and creative characters, even after the creators themselves have passed.
