LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson remains the King of Pop in the afterlife, leading Forbes’ 2025 ranking of highest-earning deceased celebrities with $105 million in pre-tax earnings.
The annual list, dominated by musicians, saw new entries including The Notorious B.I.G and Miles Davis, following significant catalog sales. Jackson’s continued financial dominance is credited to his $600 million deal with Sony, granting him a 50% stake in his master recordings and publishing rights, as well as revenue from the Broadway show MJ: The Musical and the long-running Cirque du Soleil residency in Las Vegas. Since his death in 2009, his estate has earned approximately $3.5 billion.
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Author Dr. Seuss claimed the second spot with $85 million in earnings, fueled by strong book sales and Netflix licensing deals. Pink Floyd co-founders Richard Wright and Syd Barrett each earned $81 million after Sony purchased the band’s catalog for $400 million. The Notorious B.I.G earned $80 million, while jazz legend Miles Davis followed with $21 million after major rights sales.
Other notable entries included perennial earners like Elvis Presley ($17 million) and Jimmy Buffett ($14 million), illustrating the continued strength of estates in the entertainment industry.
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