The highest paid dead celebrities of 2025

Forbes has released the 2025 edition of its highest paid dead celebrities list on the 25th anniversary of its tracking of deceased celebrity estates. 

Topping the list is the estate of the late pop icon Michael Jackson, which pulled in an estimated $105 million (Sh 13.5 billion) over the past 12 months.

According to Forbes, his lifetime post-death earnings now stand at roughly $3.5 billion.

"The King of Pop’s estate has earned an astonishing $3.5 billion since his death in 2009, and according to estimates, topping this year’s list once again with $105 million in earnings over the past 12 months," Forbes said.

In second place comes the children’s author Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr Seuss, whose estate generated approximately $85 million in 2025.

The third spot is shared by two former members of Pink Floyd, Richard Wright and Syd Barrett, each earning roughly $81 million.

In fourth place is the estate of The Notorious B.I.G., popularly known as Christopher Wallace, at about $80 million for the year.

"As with many celebrities who die young, merchandise for the East Coast rap legend known as The Notorious B.I.G. continues to sell well since his murder at 24, juicing the valuation of the estate in a sale of 50 per cent of Biggie’s catalogue, publishing and NIL rights to Primary Wave Music in March," Forbes said.

Furthermore, the list continues with iconic names, with jazz legend Miles Davis earning around $21 million.

In sixth place is Elvis Presley at approximately $17 million, followed by Jimmy Buffett, earning about $14 million.

In 2001, Elvis Presley topped Forbes’ first list tracking the highest earning celebrity estates and has appeared on every edition of the rankings in the 25 years since.

Earning close to Buffett at around $13 million is Jamaican singer, songwriter and guitarist Bob Marley.

Following Bob Marley on the Forbes list is  John Lennon, said to earn roughly $12 million.

In total, Forbes reports the top 13 estates combined earned about $541 million in 2025, and 10 of the 13 are musicians.

What makes the list particularly revealing is the dominance of music catalogues, publishing rights and branding deals among the top earners.

For example, the Michael Jackson estate sold a 50 per cent stake in his own publishing and master recording catalogue to Sony Music in 2024 for about $600 million, a transaction that greatly bolstered annual earnings.

In Dr Seuss’s case, the earnings highlight that literature and intellectual property can be just as resilient as music in generating revenue long after authors’ deaths.