List of Top Earning Dead Celebrities

Yes, dead people still make money. In fact, some of them, like Tupac Shakur, made more money dead than when he was alive. There is something about being dead and your value rising that sometimes makes me contemplate perfectly orchestrating my own death. Maybe then the half a dozen books I have written will start selling, and help give my family and loved ones a great life. I'm just joking...I love life, and I wont give it up for anything right now.


It is surprising that Elvis Presley, who died in 1977 is still earning money in 2013. Check out the full list of the 12 top earning dead celebrities of 2013. The list is based on monies earned by their individual estates between October 2012, to October 2013.




12. Jennie Rivera- $7 million (She was an American- Mexican singer...who died in a plane crash last year December. Her earnings come from the 'I Love Jenni' Show, which an audience of 5.5 in its third and final season. Her albums have also sold over 880,000 copies since she passed.)


12. Bruce Lee- $7 million (Died July 20, 1973. Martial artist/Actor.)

10. Steve McQueen- $9 million (Died November 30, 1980. Actor.)

10. Theodor Geisel- $9 million (Author of the Dr. Suess's books. Also in his catalogue includes How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Cat in the Hat. Most of his books have been adapted into movies, and have grossed millions at the Box Office. He died September 21, 1991)

8.  Bettite Page- $10 million (Actress. Died december 11, 2008)

8.  Albert Einstein- $10 million (Scientist. Died April 18, 1955)

7.  Jonh Lennon- $12 million (Singer...member of legendary UK boy band, The Beatles. Died December 8, 1980)

6.  Marilyn Monroe- $15 million (Actress. Died August 5, 1962)


5.  Bob Marley- $18 million (Legendary Jamaican singer. Died May 11, 1981)

4.  Elizabeth Taylor- $25 million (Actress. Died March 23, 2011)

3.  Charles Schulz- $37 million (Cartoonist. Died February 12, 2000. Responsible for popular comic strips such as Peanuts, Charlie Brown

2.  Elvis Presley- $55 million (Singer/Actor. Died August 16, 1977)

1.  Michael Jackson- $160 million (Singer. Died June 25, 2009)

Honourable mention include Nigerian Afro-Beat singer, Fela Kuti, who earned $3 million. His earnings came from Felabration (a yearly, week long concert organized in his memory), royalties from his over 3 dozen albums which Universal Music controls, and  earnings from the Fela on Broadway show).