Michael Jackson is king of deceased earners

Published: October 26, 2020

Michael Jackson sits at the top of the pile in the highest earning deceased celebrity stakes, raking in more money over the past year than Elvis Presley and John Lennon.

The King of Pop, who died in June last year pulled in an incredible $275 million (£183 million) over the last 12 months thanks to a powerful back catalogue that contains such potent albums as Thriller, BAD and Dangerous as well as strong merchandizing deals.

His concert film This Is It, which documented preparations for his ill-fated London stage residency, also made $250 million (£167 million) at the box office.

His death on June 25, 2009 shocked fans and non-fans alike.  His life towards the end became somewhat controversial after allegations of child abuse led to extortionate court cases which seriously depleted his financial assets, even cleaning him out according to some reports.

Many tributes were paid to Jackson after his death, including some touching and heartfelt words from Paul McCartney who said, “I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy-man with a gentle soul.

“His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones.  I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family, and to his countless fans all around the world.”

Jackson’s earnings eclipsed the total combined earnings of the 12 other dead stars on Forbes magazine’s list, including Elvis Presley, J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord Of The Rings author), Charles M Schulz (creator of Peanuts) and Beatles legend Lennon, who occupied the top five respectively.

Images: wikimedia and PR Photos.

Read our complete coverage of Michael Jackson’s death.

Related Posts



Tweet this


Published October 26, 2020 by in Celebrities
Tags: , , , , ,

12 Responses to “Michael Jackson is king of deceased earners”

  1. Michael Jackson top-earning dead celebrity: Forbes - Moneycontrol.com | Michael Jackson News Songs and Lyrics

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] the world, but fans also opened their wallets to make him this year's top-earning dead …Michael Jackson is king of deceased earnersCelebrities With DiseasesDead and rich: Michael Jackson tops Forbes listNDTV.comMichael Jackson tops [...]

    Reply to this comment

  2. Pop Music Video Blog » Dead and rich: Michael Jackson tops Forbes list - NDTV.com

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] tops list of top-earning dead celebritiesmsnbc.comPhiladelphia Inquirer -ABC News -Celebrities With Diseasesall 119 news [...]

    Reply to this comment

  3. Dead and rich: Michael Jackson tops Forbes list - NDTV.com

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] celebritiesHerald SunMichael Jackson Named Top-Earning Dead CelebrityPeace FM OnlineTake 40 -Celebrities With Diseases -Vancouver Sunall 125 news [...]

    Reply to this comment

  4. Michael Jackson is king of deceased earners - Celebrities With Diseases

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] Michael Jackson is king of deceased earnersCelebrities With DiseasesMichael Jackson sits at the top of the pile in the highest earning deceased celebrity stakes, raking in more money over the past year than Elvis Presley and …Dead and rich: Michael Jackson tops Forbes listNDTV.comMichael Jackson tops Forbes list of year's highest-earning dead celebritiesHerald SunHe's 'Bad': Michael Jackson still tops earning list of dead celebritiesMemphis Commercial AppealHollywood Reporter -Peace FM Online -Take 40all 124 news articles » [...]

    Reply to this comment

  5. Michael Jackson is king of deceased earners - Celebrities … | The comings and goings of Fame

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] post: Michael Jackson is king of deceased earners - Celebrities … Related Posts:Michael Jackson on List of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities « 98.1 WOGL The late King of [...]

    Reply to this comment

  6. Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celebrity - The Guardian | Michael Jackson News Songs and Lyrics

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] (blog)Michael Jackson Is Tops List of the Highest-Earning Deceased CelebrityPeace FM OnlineMichael Jackson is king of deceased earnersCelebrities With DiseasesNDTV.com -Memphis Commercial Appeal -Hollywood Reporterall 132 [...]

    Reply to this comment

  7. Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celebrity - The Guardian

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] rich: Michael Jackson tops Forbes listNDTV.comMJ leads top-earning dead celebrity listTimes of IndiaCelebrities With Diseases -Everyday Christian (blog) -Herald Sunall 132 news [...]

    Reply to this comment

  8. Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celebrity - The Guardian

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] (blog)Michael Jackson Is Tops List of the Highest-Earning Deceased CelebrityPeace FM OnlineMichael Jackson is king of deceased earnersCelebrities With DiseasesNDTV.com -Times of India -Memphis Commercial Appealall 132 news [...]

    Reply to this comment

  9. Michael Jackson Named Top Earning Dead Celebrity - Wall Street Journal (blog)

    26. Oct, 2010

    [...] dead celebrityIndia TargetMichael Jackson Top Earning Dead CelebrityEveryday Christian (blog)Celebrities With Diseases -Peace FM Online -NDTV.comall 139 news [...]

    Reply to this comment

  10. Jane

    26. Oct, 2010

    RIP KING MJ

    Reply to this comment

  11. World Wide News Flash

    26. Oct, 2010

    Michael Jackson is king of deceased earners - Celebrities ……

    I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)…

    Reply to this comment

  12. Fans outraged about Michael Jackson autopsy video | LifeStyle Magazine

    11. Dec, 2010

    [...] Read here about Michael Jackson being the highest earning deceased celebrity. [...]

    Reply to this comment

Leave a Reply