deadceleb
Elvis Presley would have turned 85 this week but has been dead since 1977. Today, we look at Forbes’ list of the richest dead celebrities in the past two years.
2019 total cited first
1. Michael Jackson — $60 MILLION
2018: $400 million (1st)
Died: June 25, 2009, age 50
Cause of death: Overdose/homicide
The creator of “Thriller” has had his share of controversy but his streaming profits surged to 2.1 billion, up from 1.8 billion in 2018. Jackson’s proceeds mostly come from his Mijac Music catalog, a Las Vegas show and a long-term deal with Sony. He has held the top spot for the past seven years.
2. Elvis Presley — $39 MILLION
2018: $40 million (2nd)
Died: Aug. 16, 1977, age 42
Cause: Heart attack
Presley still sells about 1 million albums a year. Graceland, his house in Memphis, averages about 500,000 visitors a year and is building a $45 million addition called Elvis Presley’s Memphis. A biopic movie is in the works and expected to be released in 2021. Tom Hanks will star as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
3. Charles Schulz — $38 MILLION
2018: $34 million (4th)
Died: Feb. 12, 2000, age 77
Cause: Colon cancer
The cartoonist’s Peanuts franchise has its 70th anniversary this year. Its licensing deal with MetLife, Christmas and Halloween TV specials, as well as book collections, are just some of the ways money keeps coming in.
4. Arnold Palmer — $30 MILLION
2018: $35 million (3rd)
Died: Sept. 25, 2016, age 87
Cause: Heart disease
Palmer’s beverage line has been a huge success and now has an alcoholic version headed up by MolsonCoors.
5. Bob Marley — $20 MILLION
2018: $40 million (5th)
Died: May 11, 1981, age 36
Cause: Cancer
Marley’s music has streaming spins to the tune of 1 billion a year, as well as company products such as headphones, speakers, turntables and a line of cannabis accessories.
6. Dr. Seuss — $19 MILLION
2018: $16 million (6th)
Died: Sept. 24, 1991, age 87
Cause: Oral cancer
About 5 million Seuss books are sold each year in addition to licensing agreements with Hallmark and Universal Studios.
7. John Lennon — $14 MILLION
2018: $12 million (10th)
Died: Dec. 8, 1980, age 40
Cause: Homicide
The Beatles’ streaming and digital sales add up to about 2.2 million U.S. album-equivalents in 2019. Lennon’s own catalog increased by 52%.
Fellow Beatle George Harrison made the list as well at No. 13, and $9 million.
8. Marilyn Monroe — $13 MILLION
2018: $14 million (8th)
Died: Aug. 5, 1962, age: 36
Cause: Overdose
Monroe’s name is on Montblanc pens, Chanel products and a jewelry line with Zales.
9. Prince — $12 MILLION
2018: $13 million (9th)
Died: April 21, 2016, age 57
Cause: Overdose
Prince music sold about half a billion streams and more than 300,000 physical units in 2019.
10. Nipsey Hustle — $11 MILLION
Died: March 31, 2019, age 33
Cause: Gunshot wounds
The rapper’s music was streamed about 1.85 billion times, third most in 2019.
11. XXXTENTACION, $10 million
12. Whitney Houston, $9.5 million
13. George Harrison, $9 million
Note: Hugh Hefner was No. 7 in 2018 ($15 million) but did not make the top 10 in 2019.
Sources: Forbes, CBS
