They may be gone, but they’re not forgotten.
Michael Jackson is the highest paid dead celebrity for the sixth year in a row, while Elvis Presley follows behind him in second place.
The late King of Pop - who died in June 2009 aged 50 - pulled in around $400 million (R5.8 billion) over the last year, which was boosted by the sale of his EMI Music Publishing stake to Sony.
Earnings will also have been helped by Michael Jackson’s Halloween - an animated TV special which first aired in 2017 - according to Forbes.
John Branca, the Jackson estate’s co-executor, said: “You see Charlie Brown Christmas and Charlie Brown Thanksgiving every year, so now we’re looking to have Michael Jackson’s Halloween every year. We hope that it’ll become evergreen.”
IN TOP 10: Bob Marley. Photo: GILBERT BELLAMY/REUTERS
Meanwhile, rock ‘n ’ roll legend Elvis Presley - who died aged 42 in 1977 - follows in second place having made $40m (R579m) also in 2017.
The star’s earnings also come from the new Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex created at his famous Graceland home.
Forbes’ full list:
1. Michael Jackson: $400 million (R5.8 billion)
2. Elvis Presley: $40m (R579m)
3. Arnold Palmer: $35m (R507m)
4. Charles Schulz: $34m (R492m)
5. Bob Marley: $23m (R333m)
6. Dr. Seuss: $16m (R232m)
7. Hugh Hefner: $15m (R217m)
8. Marilyn Monroe: $14m (R203m)