Late American music legend Michael Jackson has been ranked as the highest-paid deceased celebrity of 2025 by Forbes magazine, with estimated pre-tax earnings of $105 million.
The King of Pop’s posthumous wealth was largely boosted by a major deal with Sony Music, where his estate sold a 50% stake in his master recordings and publishing catalogue for about $600 million.
Since his death in 2009, Jackson’s estate has amassed an impressive $3.5 billion, confirming his enduring dominance as the most commercially successful celebrity after death.
His Broadway production, MJ: The Musical, has earned close to $300 million globally, while the Michael Jackson ONE Las Vegas residency reached a milestone of over 5,000 performances this year.
Other high-earning late musicians featured on Forbes’ annual ranking include Prince, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, who together brought in $541 million within the past year.
Children’s author Dr. Seuss came in second with $85 million, driven by strong book sales and lucrative Netflix adaptation deals. Meanwhile, Pink Floyd’s founding members, Richard Wright and Syd Barrett, each made $81 million following Sony’s $400 million acquisition of the band’s catalogue.
Jackson’s legacy continues to thrive, with his estate expanding into new ventures. A biographical film titled Michael, featuring his nephew Jaafar Jackson, is set to premiere in April 2026 and is expected to spark another surge in global interest and revenue.
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