Forbes has released their annual list of Top Earning Dead Celebrities, and someone has kicked the King out of his throne, making $210 million in the past year over MJ’s $145 million. Neither figure is chump change though, that’s for sure! I’m sure Mike isn’t up there made about this friendly competition either, since these two were friends before their deaths. The list looks at earnings between October 2011 and October 2012, counting money coming into the artist’s estate, but not deducting for how the estate handles it. The year’s number one likely won’t stay on top for next year, however, as a major chunk of this past year’s earnings came from a huge estate sale. Find out the top 10 below.
10. Steve McQueen/Bettie Page (tie) – $8 million
9. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) – $9 million
8. Albert Einstein – $10 million
7. Marilyn Monroe – $10 million
6. John Lennon – $12 million
5. Bob Marley – $17 million
4. Charles Schulz – $37 million
3. Elvis Presley – $55 million
2. Michael Jackson – $145 million
1. Elizabeth Taylor – $210 million
