Michael Jackson is highest-earning dead musician

13 October 2016

Michael Jackson has been named the highest-earning dead celebrity of the past year.

Michael Jackson

The late Thriller hitmaker - who died in June 2009 aged 50 - has topped Forbes' annual list of the Top Earning Dead Celebrities for the fourth consecutive year after his estate earned him a record-breaking $825 million (£675) before tax between October 2015 and October 2016 from sales of his music.

The huge sum includes the money made from the sale of half of his shares in the Sony/ATV music publishing catalogue, which is comprised of rare Beatles tracks.

Of the amount, Forbes said that it was "the most any celebrity has ever earned in a single year".

Prince and David Bowie have also made their debut on the list.

The late 'Purple Rain' singer, who died in April aged 57 from an overdose of narcotic fentanyl, made an estimated $25 million (£20.5 million) placing him in fifth place.

While the 'Starman' hitmaker, who died earlier this after a secret battle with cancer, was placed at 11th place with an income of $10.5 million (£8.5 million).

Elsewhere, Elvis Presley made around $27 million (£22 million) and Beatles legend John Lennon raked in $12 million (£9 million).

Reggae legend Bob Marley came in sixth place with earnings of $21 million (£17 million).

The Top Ten Forbes' Top Earning Dead Celebrities List:

10. Bettie Page - $11 million

9. Albert Einstein - $11.5 million

8. John Lennon - $12 million

7. Theador Geiel 'Dr. Seuss' - $20 million

6. Bob Marley - $21 million

5. Prince - $25 million

4. Elvis Presley - $27 million

3. Arnold Palmer - $40 million

2. Charles Schulz - $48 million