Michael Jackson tops rich list of dead celebrities after raking in £46million a year from royalties
SINGER Michael Jackson tops a rich list of dead celebrity “earners”.
The Thriller star’s estate rakes in £46million a year from royalties — 11 years after his death aged 50.
Second is author JRR Tolkien whose Lord of the Rings books are worth £38million a year.
Elvis Presley “makes” £30million, say boffins who used 2010 to 2019 data from business magazine Forbes to calculate earnings.
Musicians Bob Marley, John Lennon, Prince and David Bowie also make the list compiled by — as does Playboy boss Hugh Hefner.
The firm said: “If you think the amount celebrities make is excessive, wait until you hear the dizzying amount some continue to earn from beyond the grave.
“Some not only out-earn us Average Joes, but other living celebs as well!”
The study also includes a calculator to find out how long it would take you to earn as much as the dead celebrities.
Software engineer Jeremy Brown, 36, of Edinburgh, said his £31,000-a-year salary paled into insignificance compared to top dead earners.
He added: “If only I could make one-hundredth of what Michael Jackson earns as a dead man, I’d be happy.
“I’ve just worked it out, and one hundredth is £460,000 a year.
“To be honest I’d be more than happy with half of that amount!”
The top 10
- Michael Jackson – £46m
- J.R.R Tolkien – £38m
- Elvis – £30m
- Bob Marley – £15m
- Hugh Hefner – £11.5m
- John Lennon – £10.8m
- Marilyn Monroe – £10m
- Prince – £9.2m
- Whitney Houston – £7.3m
- David Bowie – £7.3m
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