Michael Jackson has topped Forbes’ 2025 list of the highest-paid dead celebrities, reaffirming his enduring financial power more than a decade after his death.
The music legend reportedly earned $105 million over the past year, securing the No. 1 spot by a wide margin.
Forbes revealed that a major source of Jackson’s latest windfall came from Sony Music’s $600 million purchase of a 50% stake in his master recordings and publishing catalog in 2024.
Musicians dominated this year’s ranking, with names like Prince, John Lennon, and Bob Marley joining Jackson on the list. Together, late music icons accounted for ten of the top thirteen spots, collectively bringing in $541 million within the year.
Since his passing in 2009, Jackson’s estate has generated a remarkable $3.5 billion, cementing his legacy not only as the “King of Pop” but also as the most profitable celebrity in death.
