Jacko tops highest earning dead celebrities list

MICHAEL JACKSON was named this year’s top-earning dead celebrity in a list compiled by financial website Forbes.com, earning the title for the second year in a row following his death in 2009.

Thriller singer Jackson, who died aged 50 of a drug overdose, is estimated to have earned $170 million in the past year, which also places him as the second highest-earning pop music act this year, dead or alive, Forbes.com said. He finished behind U2.

Jackson’s physician at the time of his death, Dr Conrad Murray, is currently on trial in Los Angeles, charged with involuntary manslaughter for administering the powerful anaesthetic, propofol, as a sleep aid for the singer in Jackson’s home. Murray has pleaded not guilty.

Sales of Jackson’s albums and memorabilia have increased in the past year.

The theatre group Cirque Du Soleil has mounted an extravagant show called Immortal based on the singer’s life and music. Earlier this month, a tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales, lured tens of thousands of fans.

The King of Pop is followed closely by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley placed second on the list with earnings of $55m. Like Jackson, Presley’s estate has also benefited from Cirque du Soleil, who produced “Viva Elvis” in tribute to the late singer.

Hollywood’s golden age pin-up girl, Marilyn Monroe, who died aged 36 in 1962, earned nearly $27m, placing her third.

“Peanuts” cartoon creator Charles Schulz was in fourth place, with screen icon Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away in March 2011, aged 79, placed fifth after reportedly earning $12m.

Taylor was tied in fifth place with former Beatle John Lennon. While much of Lennon’s revenues came as payment from other musicians performing his music, Taylor’s largely came from her best-selling perfume White Diamonds. The fragrance had gross sales of $54 million in the United States in 2010, according to industry experts cited by Forbes.

Taylor’s estate also appears likely to net handsomely from a December sale later this year by the Christie’s auction house featuring the late actress’s jewels, art work and gowns. Experts said it could fetch $30 million.

The Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list by Forbes takes into account any deceased famous figure who has earned at least $6 million between October 2010 and October 2011.

The full list can be viewed on Forbes.com at forbes.com/deadcelebs.

May they earn in peace

FORBES, which compiled its list by consulting agents, lawyers and other experts, said the year’s 15 deceased top earners were:

1. Michael Jackson — $170m

2. Elvis Presley — $55m

3. Marilyn Monroe — $27m

4. “Peanuts” cartoon creator Charles Schulz — $25m

5. John Lennon/Elizabeth Taylor — $12m

7. Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein — $10m

8. Children’s author Theodor “Dr Seuss” Geisel — $9m

9. Rock legend Jimi Hendrix/Swedish writer Stieg Larsson/Hollywood actor Steve McQueen/legendary composer Richard Rodgers — $7m

13. Beatle George Harrison/American pin-up girl Bettie Page/pop art creator Andy Warhol — $6m