Michael Jackson had quite a run in the years after his passing.
Michael Jackson
According to Forbes magazine, he was the top earning dead celebrity for both 2010 and 2011, taking in $275 million and $170 million respectively. His income fell again in 212, to $145 million, pushing him to second place on Forbes’ yearly list behind one of his best friends in life, Elizabeth Taylor.
Taylor brought in $210 million in the year after her death. According to the magazine, a majority of that money ($184 million) was from a Christie’s auction where every lot put up for bid was sold.
Forbes’ list takes into account earnings from October 2011 to October 2012. Other veteran artists making the list were Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, John Lennon and George Harrison.
Forbes’ Top 13 with their rank last year:
- 01. (05) Liz Taylor – $210 Million
- 02. (01) Michael Jackson – $145 Million
- 03. (02) Elvis Presley – $55 Million
- 04. (04) Charles Schulz – $37 Million
- 05. (—) Bob Marley – $17 Million
- 06. (05) John Lennon – $12 Million
- 07. (03) Marilyn Monroe – $10 Million
- 07. (07) Albert Einstein – $10 Million
- 09. (08) Dr. Seuss – $9 Million
- 10. (09) Steve McQueen – $8 Million
- 10. (13) Bettie Page – $8 Million
- 12. (09) Richard Rogers – $6 Million
- 13. (13) George Harrison – $5.5 Million
Dropping off the list were Jimi Hendrix, Stieg Larsson and Andy Warhol (because of ties, there were 15 names on the list).
