Show business may reveal that specific individuals are larger than life. Celebrities continue to make money even after decades have passed. This is due to a mix of a long history, companies who know how to capitalize on a celebrity’s image, and passionate fans. These celebrities continue to make money, usually for their estates, through marketing and licensing deals, as well as royalties on their work. Is it true that the wealthy become wealthier? It appears to be the case, even if they are no longer alive. In this article, we will discuss on seven highest earning dead celebrities.
Of course, they aren’t here to enjoy the spoils, but their estates will benefit from their fame and prosperity. Their estate is usually family members, but there have been cases where estates have been left to many weird and wonderful things, including pets. You would be surprised at how many celeb cat lovers there are! Anyway, here’s a look at the most significant money-makers among the dearly and famously departed.
Elvis Presley – Musician
If you’ve ever been a king, you’ve always been a king. Elvis Presley died in 1977, yet his legacy lives on owing to his devoted followers. His image is still very much alive, and it’s difficult to imagine another male artist with as many impersonators worldwide as Michael Jackson. As a result, his image remains valuable. Last year, the King of Rock grossed $40 million and sold one million records, earning him the title of “King of Rock.” Elvis Presley’s Memphis at Graceland, a new $45 million entertainment complex, brought him the most money.
Michael Jackson – Musician
From Rock ‘n’ Roll’s King to the King of Pop. Michael Jackson is widely considered one of the most influential cultural figures of the late twentieth century. He began his career as a child singer alongside his brothers in The Jackson 5, and at the age of 13, he launched a solo career. But it was his fifth studio album, released in 1979, that signaled the start of a phenomenally successful and well-known career. Since its release in 1982, Michael Jackson’s album ‘Thriller has sold over 47 million copies worldwide. Unfortunately, Jackson died of a heart attack in 2009. However, his estate still raked in an incredible $60 million ten years later.
Marilyn Monroe – Actress
The sole female name and movie star on this list is Marilyn Monroe. The actress, who was discovered dead in 1962, continues to make people fall in love with her. She earned $14 million in 2018. The funds were raised through the sale of licensed products, including high-profile brands such as Montblanc. Her picture has an enormous market appeal. Likewise, Monroe visage can be found on t-shirts, notebooks, mugs, and a variety of other items. Her estate is protective of its legacy and has a history of pursuing corporations who utilize her image without authorization.
Bob Marley – Musician
Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley was a Jamaican musician credited for introducing reggae music to the rest of the world. Marley’s sincere lyrics and irresistible melodies fused reggae with elements of ska and rocksteady, making him and his work a milestone not only in reggae but also as a singer-songwriter. On May 11, 1981, Marley passed suddenly from skin cancer. He was 36 years old at the time. According to Forbes, the Bob Marley estate made $20 million last year thanks to his legacy and incredible back catalogue.
Arnold Palmer – Golfer
Arnold Palmer was a living legend and one of the all-time great golfers. Some consider him to be the greatest of all time. He died in 2016, but his image continues to earn a lot of money; in 2018, he earned $38 million. He made a lot of money with golf, but he wouldn’t have believed it if someone told him decades ago that he’d make millions with a drink he invented that combines ice tea and lemonade. A new alcoholic version of the drink has also been developed in collaboration with Molson Coors.
Charles Schultz – Cartoonist
Charles Monroe “Sparky” Schulz, the creator of the iconic Peanuts comic strip, which features Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Woodstock, was a cartoonist. Schultz has been dubbed “the most influential cartoonist of all time” on numerous occasions. Others were influenced by him, including Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, and Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons. With the success of Peanuts, Schultz was able to create an animated TV show, movies, and merchandise. In the year 2000, the talented cartoonist died of cancer. He was 77 years old at the time.
Dr Seuss – Children’s Author
Children’s books like The Cat in the Hat, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas are timeless classics. As a result, Dr Seuss (born Theodor Seuss Geisel), the author of those and other books, continues to make millions of dollars year after year. He made $16 million in 2018 and sold 4.8 million books. For someone dead since 1991, those are impressive stats. In addition, many of his writings have been adapted for television and film, which has boosted his riches. The Grinch, in a new rendition, was the most recent.
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