Michael Jackson named Forbes’ highest-paid dead celebrity of 2023 [Full List]

Late American singer Michael Jackson, renowned as the ‘King of Pop,’ has been listed as the highest-earning deceased celebrity of 2023. Forbes magazine’s annual 2023 list, released on Tuesday, has ranked him as the top-earning deceased celebrity with an estimated income of $115 million. This marks the first time Jackson has secured the top spot in four years.

In the second position is Elvis Presley, Jackson’s late father-in-law, with an estimated income of $100 million. Other deceased celebrities who have made it to the top 13 of the list include Bob Marley, Prince, John Lennon, and Whitney Houston. Collectively, these late celebrities have earned an estimated $470 million over the past year, representing a 70 percent decrease from 2022.

The rankings are based on their pre-tax earnings from various sources, including sales, licensing deals, streams, and other forms of income, between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.

Here is the list:

1. Michael Jackson, US singer – $115 million
2. Elvis Presley, US singer and actor – $100 million
3. Ray Manzarek, US keyboardist – $45 million
4. Dr. Seuss, US cartoonist – $40 million
5. Charles M. Schulz, US cartoonist – $30 million
6. Prince, US singer – $30 million
7. Whitney Houston, US singer – $30 million
8. John Lennon, British singer – $22 million
9. Bob Marley, Jamaican singer – $16 million
10. Bing Crosby, US singer – $14 million
11. George Harrison, British singer – $14 million
12. Arnold Palmer, US golfer – $10 million
13. Marilyn Monroe, US singer – $10 million