King of Pop Michael Jackson is the top earning dead celebrity with earnings of $140 million, according to Forbes. He died at the age of 50 in 2009.
"More than five years after his passing, the King of Pop remains royalty among postmortem earners, pulling in triple-digit millions every full year since his death," Forbes said.
Jackson's second posthumous release, Xscape, debuted at number two on music charts earlier this year.
"Much of his cash comes from two Cirque du Soleil shows-Immortal, now one of the ten top grossing tours of all time, and One, a permanent show in Las Vegas-as well as his half of the Sony/ATV publishing empire and his own Mijac catalogue," according to Forbes.
Jackson had more than twice of singer Elvis Presley's earnings, who came second on the list with earnings of $55 million. Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42 from a cardiac arrest.
"The King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley earns from Graceland admissions, licensing and merchandizing and a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show. A perennial favorite, his Facebook page has more than 12 million likes," Forbes said.
Other celebrities in the 'Top-Earning Dead Celebrities' list include actress Elizabeth Taylor, reggae legend Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe, John Lenon, James Dean and Albert Einstein. (See Full List)
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