Michael Jackson Tops 2025 Forbes List as Highest-Earning Deceased Celebrity with $105 Million
Michael Jackson leads Forbes’ 2025 ranking of highest-earning deceased celebrities, generating $105 million through music royalties and legacy projects.
- • Michael Jackson earned $105 million in the last year, topping Forbes’ list of highest-earning deceased celebrities.
- • His estate has generated approximately $3.5 billion since his 2009 death.
- • In 2024, half of Jackson’s recording catalog was sold to Sony for $600 million, boosting earnings.
- • Legacy projects like "Michael Jackson ONE" show and an upcoming biopic sustain ongoing income.
- • Musicians dominate the Forbes list of highest-earning deceased celebrities.
Key details
Michael Jackson remains the highest-earning deceased celebrity in 2025, according to Forbes, generating $105 million in the past year alone. This marks an ongoing financial success for Jackson’s estate, which has amassed approximately $3.5 billion since his death in 2009. A significant contributor to this wealth is the estate’s strategic deal in 2024, where it sold half of Jackson's recording catalog and publishing rights to Sony for $600 million, allowing continued lucrative earnings from global music royalties.
Music royalties continue to be the main income source for Jackson's estate, supplemented by various productions including the long-running Cirque du Soleil show "Michael Jackson ONE" in Las Vegas, which has surpassed 5,000 performances and extended its run until 2030. Additionally, the upcoming biopic "Michael," featuring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar, is scheduled to premiere in April 2026. The Broadway musical "MJ: The Musical" also adds to the estate’s revenue.
Other notable deceased celebrities earning significant sums include Dr. Seuss with $85 million and Pink Floyd members Richard Wright and Syd Barrett earning $81 million each. The Forbes report underscores how entertainment branding, intellectual property rights, and estate management continue to drive revenue long after a celebrity’s passing, highlighting the value of legacy in the entertainment industry.