Just weeks after Forbes released its list of the 100 top-earning celebrities with Madonna sitting pretty at the #1 spot, banking $125 million between June 2012 and June 2013, they released a list of the top earning ‘dead’ celebrities. At the top of the list, is Michael Jackson, the King of pop, who even after his passing earned more than Madonna, by well over $30 million.
Jackson earned $160 million in the past year, more than two years after his death. According to Forbes, that makes him the “top-earning celebrity overall.”
A majority of Jackson’s “afterlife” earnings come from the Cirque du Soleil tribute show, “One,” which was created in his honor. Jackson’s estate also deemed to be lucrative, earning money for his music catalogue, Cirque’s Michael Jackson Immortal tour and album sales.
Jackson, the clear leader in earning this year, is followed on the list by rock legend Elvis at $55 million, beauty icon Elizabeth Taylor at $25 million and Bob Marley at $18 million.
For the rest of the list, click to continue. – ruthie hawkins/@ruubabie
