Even death cannot dull the stardom of some legendary celebrities. Despite having passed away years ago, a few names in the entertainment industry continue to earn millions and billions of dollars. Topping the list is the Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson, who remains the biggest name in the music industry. Recently, Forbes released a list titled “The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities of 2023,” revealing how much these deceased stars earned last year.
Despite the controversies that negatively affected his stardom later in his career, Michael Jackson’s name continues to shine brightly among his fans today. Even in death, he remains a powerful figure, earning $115 million last year through royalties. Since his passing in 2009, his total income has reached a staggering $2.7 billion, according to the Forbes list. Michael Jackson surpassed Elvis Presley and Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist of The Doors, to secure the top spot. Presley earned $100 million, while Manzarek earned $45 million last year.
Interestingly, Michael Jackson has topped the list of highest-paid dead celebrities worldwide 11 times out of the last 15 years. A significant portion of his total income during this period came in 2016, when he earned an astonishing $825 million. This dramatic surge in earnings that year can be attributed to the sale of his half of the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalogue, which contributed $750 million to the total amount.
Born in 1958, Michael Jackson began his solo career in 1971. His breakthrough album, Thriller, was released in 1982, and the following two decades solidified his status as the biggest musical act on the planet. His passing in 2009 did not diminish his popularity. The star never disappeared from the charts in countries around the world. Michael Jackson remains one of the most followed icons in the music scene. Even today, his music continues to score hits, securing top ranks on numerous charts.
Recently, his album Thriller returned to No. 1 on the Billboard chart. The album first reached the top spot on the R&B Digital Song Sales ranking in 2012. The iconic track remains a staple on many party playlists, continuing to win the hearts of music enthusiasts.
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