Michael Jackson Is Top-Earning Dead Celebrity

Late legendary Pop star Michael Jackson has been named as the top-earning dead celebrity.
American business magazine Forbes put the King of Pop atop its 2016 list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities.

Jackson’s lucrative empire only seems to grow even nine years after his demise.
According to a report by UK’s The Guardian, he raked in a bumper $825 million in earnings for the 12 months ending October 1.

Jackson’s earnings came mostly from the Jackson estate’s $750 million sale of the late singer’s remaining stake in the Sony/ATV music publishing catalogue which includes the rights to many Beatles songs to Sony Corporation.

Forbes’s estimates were based on pre-tax income, before management and legal expenses, and were compiled through interviews with estate experts and data on record sales, touring and movie earnings.

Number 2 on the list is cartoonist Charles Schulz, who is best known his iconic Peanuts franchise.

His earnings were estimated at $48 million. The 2015 The Peanuts Movie pulled in a reported $45 million during it’s weekend debut.

Golf legend Arnold Palmer, who died in September at age 87, claimed the third spot with earnings of $40 million, mostly from licensing and endorsements of his signature Arnold Palmer iced tea and lemonade drink, leisure wear label, and golf course designs.

Music legends Elvis Presley and Prince were ranked 4th and 5th respectively.

Elvis raked in $27 million, while Prince $25 million.

Below is the full list showing earnings:
10. Bettie Page – $11 million
9. Albert Einstein – $11.5 million
8. John Lennon – $12 million
7. Theador Geiel “Dr. Seuss” – $20 million
6. Bob Marley – $21 million
5. Prince – $25 million
4. Elvis Presley – $27 million
3. Arnold Palmer – $40 million
2. Charles Schulz – $48 million
1. Michael Jackson – $825 million