Michael Jackson Tops Forbes’ 2025 Highest-Paid ‘Dead Celebrities’ [FULL LIST]

Michael Jackson Tops Forbes’ 2025 Highest-Paid ‘Dead Celebrities’ [FULL LIST]

Forbes said the figures were drawn from music and book sales, streaming revenue, licensing deals, and estate acquisitions finalised within the year.Michael Jackson has once again been named Forbes’ highest-paid dead celebrity, earning an estimated $105 million in 2025.

The late King of Pop led the annual ranking, which lists 13 deceased stars with the highest pretax earnings over the past year.Forbes said the figures were drawn from music and book sales, streaming revenue, licensing deals, and estate acquisitions finalised within the year. This marks Jackson’s third consecutive year at the top and the 13th time he has claimed the number one spot.Since his death in 2009, his estate has reportedly earned more than $3.5 billion.In second place was American author Theodor Seuss Geisel, famously known as Dr Seuss, with an estimated $85 million in earnings.

The list also featured a range of music and sports legends, including Elvis Presley, the Notorious B.I.G., Prince, Kobe Bryant, and Bob Marley.

Below is the full list of Forbes’ 2025 highest-paid deceased celebrities:

Michael Jackson (US singer) – $105 million

Theodor Seuss Geisel (US author) – $85 million

Richard Wright (British singer) – $81 million

Syd Barrett (British singer) – $81 million

Notorious B.I.G (US rapper) – $80 million

Miles Davis (US trumpeter) – $21 million

Elvis Presley (US singer) – $17 million

Jimmy Buffett (US singer) – $14 million

Bob Marley (Jamaican singer) – $13 million

John Lennon (US singer) – $12 million

Prince (US singer) – $11 million

Arnold Palmer (US golfer) – $11 million

Kobe Bryant (US basketballer) – $10 million