Still Cashing In: The Undying Prosperity of Cultural Icons
Even after the curtain falls, some legends keep generating revenue that would make modern investors swoon. In fact, the King of Pop – Michael Jackson – has topped Forbes’ “Dead Celebrity Earnings” list for six years straight, pulling in a staggering £313 million in the past year alone.
Jack on the bag: Streaming, Licensing & a New Halloween Hit
- EMI stake sale – Michael’s music controlling interest was sold to Sony, sparking a major windfall.
- ‘Michael Jackson’s Halloween’ – An animated TV special that premiered in 2017 continues to draw viewers every year, and the executor hopes it will become a perennial favourite.
One co‑executor joked, “If you get to see ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ every year, then having ‘Michael Jackson’s Halloween’ on the calendar would be a dream!”
Elvis & More: The Rest of the ‘Dead Rich List’
Not far behind is the enduring rock & roll icon Elvis Presley, who earned roughly £31 million in 2017. His fortunes are split between record sales and the newly opened ‘Elvis Presley’s Memphis’ entertainment complex at Graceland, a 200,000‑sq‑ft tribute that lets fans live-through his life.
Other top earners include:
- Arnold Palmer – 35 m
- Charles Schulz – 34 m
- Bob Marley – 23 m
- Dr. Seuss – 16 m
- Hugh Hefner – 15 m
- Marilyn Monroe – 14 m
- Prince – 13 m
- John Lennon – 12 m
Why the Dead Keep Rolling in Money
From vinyl re‑issues to themed attractions, nostalgic branding turns the memory of creative giants into thriving revenue streams. Fame, once minted, continues to pay dividends for the living and the late alike.
