Even though they are no longer with us, these celebrities still enjoy top earning power. They made their fortune in a variety of ways, however, what’s unique is their status as US icons – enabling them to generate millions of dollars. Here is a list of the top 10 highest-paid dead celebrities of 2017.
1. Michael Jackson – $75 Million
The highest earning dead celebrity is none other than the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. His stellar musical catalog and inclusion in a Cirque de Soleil Las Vegas show have given his estate impressive financial strength.
2. Arnold Palmer – $40 Million
Golfer Arnold Palmer, who died last year of heart disease, has continued to out-earn almost everyone around with promotional deals in sports gear, golf equipment, and apparel. Unbelievable but true, he still is the face of many different brands, such as MasterCard and Rolex.
3. Charles Schulz – $38 Million
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Charles Schulz, the creator of the comic strip “Peanuts,” died in 2000. But Snoopy and the gang still make millions for Schulz’s family, mostly by serving as the mascot for insurance company MetLife. With a recent “Peanuts” movie and continued showings of the characters on television specials, Schulz has become a top-earning name in show business.
4. Elvis Presley – $35 Million
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Elvis Presley’s incredible music career came to a sudden end when he died in 1977. His estate remains strong and financially intense with the help of dozens of radio hits and ticket sales from tourists visiting his home in Graceland.
5. Bob Marley – $23 Million
Although Bob Marley died at a young 36 of cancer in 1981, he has become a reggae legend for people both young and old. Marley’s children (he had officially 11 children) have continued to promote his songs and lifestyle to make him a top-earning celebrity.
6. Tom Petty – $20 Million
Tom Petty died tragically of an accidental overdose of prescribed medications in 2017. He left behind a strong legacy of music with his band the Heartbreakers and as a solo artist. In his career, he sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
7. Prince – $18 Million
At the age of 57, Prince died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl (a pain-relief narcotic) in 2016. He is still an iconic music legend with a long string of pop hits including “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Hot Thing,” “Controversy,” and “Take Me With U”. However, his extensive catalog still has strong earning power, in the millions, after his untimely death.
8. Dr. Seuss – $16 Million
Wikipedia
Around the globe, readers of all ages continue to love the stories of Dr. Seuss. While he wasn’t an M.D. or a Ph.D., Seuss used it as his pen name and was finally awarded an honorary degree by Dartmouth (which made it legitimate). By the time he died in 1991 at the age of 87, he had published over 60 children’s books.
9. John Lennon – $12 Million
John Lennon’s time with the Beatles and as a solo artist produced dozens of top musical hits. Even though he was murdered almost 40 years ago in 1980, his legacy still lives on and continues to earn millions of dollars for his family.
10. Albert Einstein – $10 Million
This one is sure to be a big surprise to many people. Albert Einstein wasn’t a traditional celebrity, he devoted his life to science and discovery, yet won numerous prizes along the way including the Nobel Prize in Physics. However, Einstein’s estate earns millions many years after his death in 1955 from the sales of posters, magnets, and other branded products.
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