The Top Earning Late Celebrity Is…..

He’s been #1 on Forbes’ List of Celebs who have passed for many years.

Photo via Pixabay

Forbes.com puts out an annual list of the top 13 earning LATE celebrities… stars who’s estates are still making money since their passing.

For the 12th year in a row, Michael Jackson is #1.  MJ has topped the list in 10 of the 12 years since his tragic death in 2009. Nipsey Hussle, XXXTentacion, and Whitney Houston made the list for 2019 but were not on the list for 2020.

Check out the list below:

1.  Michael Jackson (2009)- his estate has made $48 million this year.

2.  Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel (1991)- $33 million.  He's still selling books, which have made his estate about $6 million this year in the US.. along with a series of TV and movie deals.

3.  "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz (2000) - $32.5 million. 

4. Professional Golfer Arnold Palmer (2016)- $25 million. 

5. Singer Elvis Presley (1977)- $23 million.

6. NBA Star Kobe Bryant (2020)- $20 million. Nike has sold out of Kobe merchandise, and his autobiography has sold more than 300,000 copies this year.

7.  Rapper Juice WRLD (2019)- $15 million. 

8.  Singer Bob Marley (1981)- $14 million. 

9.  Singer John Lennon (1980)- $13 million. 

10.  Singer Prince (2016)- $10 million. 

11. Singer Freddie Mercury (1991)- $9 million. His estate got a small portion of the nearly $1 billion that the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody" made at the box office; and the movie also spiked Queen's music & merchandise.

12. Musician George Harrison (2001)- $8.5 million.

13.  Marilyn Monroe (1962) $8 million.

Check out more from the Forbe’s List of Top Earning Late Celebs here.