"King of Pop" Michael Jackson might have passed away but his wealth lives on. In fact, it does not just live-it even grows-making him the top earning dead celebrity in Hollywood.
Forbes released a report of the top earning dead celebrities and the "Thriller" hit maker made a four-peat in the afterlife bank account department. Jackson, who passed away in 2009, made a whopping $750 million in 2016 alone.
More so, the "Beat It" singer outlasted any of the Hollywood stars' annual income, whether dead or alive, if his pretax paycheck is to be based. Jackson's annual pay haul arouses to up to $825 million, thanks to his Sony/ATV publishing catalog investment.
Initially, the Sony/ATV investment was thought to be a mistake--an overprice investment priced for $47 million which translates into $140 million in 2016. Critics and Jackson's personal advisors, even, advised against the deal.
But ironically, the investment turned out to be the greatest he made in his entire life, and even afterlife in this case. Apparently, Jackson was right with the venture.
"That was a big fight when he wanted to buy that catalog ... it turned out to be one of the greatest investments ever," famed estate manager Jeff Jampol, who holds accounts of The Doors, Janis and Otis, told the publication.
Trailing behind Jackson is the man behind "Peanuts." Charles Schulz may have died 16 years ago but his estate has been estimated to reach $48 million. Golf icon Arnold Palmer, Prince and David Bowie complete the top 5 on the list.
According to The Guardian, Prince's album sales may have catapulted him to his current spot as his death in April made his album sales soar. The "Little Red Corvette" singer made an estimated $25 million.
While Bowie's albums and singles sales have topped Jackson's this year, it still did not match the King's earnings. Bowie, who died in January due to cancer, raked an estimated $10.5 million.
