Michael Jackson, widely recognized as the King of Pop, has once more demonstrated that death is merely a physical limitation that cannot hinder genuine influence. The late singer was placed at the top of Forbes' 25th edition of the Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities of 2025. With estate earnings amounting to $105 million in 2025 alone, Michael Jackson has secured the top position for the third year in a row, according to Forbes data. He remains the highest-earning deceased musician on the list for the 13th consecutive year, although his title as the wealthiest celebrity was briefly surpassed by J.R.R. Tolkien and Roald Dahl in 2021 and 2022.
Currently, with an estate valued at $3.5 billion, he has definitively demonstrated his dominance in the music industry, even after his passing. Other artists like Elvis Presley, known as the King of Rock and Roll, Richard Wright and Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd, The Notorious B.I.G., Miles Davis, and Bob Marley have also made the list. Nonetheless, there is a significant disparity between MJ and the others, which is nearly insurmountable.
How did Michael Jackson become the richest celebrity after his death?
Even though Michael Jackson passed away 16 years ago in 2009, his earnings after death have surged significantly, and there are several reasons for this increase. During his lifetime, the late singer amassed substantial assets, including ownership of publishing rights and his own master recordings. Among these assets was the valuable ATV catalog, which notably contained nearly all of the Beatles' hits written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, along with 4,000 other songs. Jackson purchased it in 1985 for $47.5 million, which strained his friendship with Paul McCartney at the time.
Currently, the catalog is valued at $1 billion and is owned and operated by Sony, which purchased the stake from the Jackson estate in 2017 for an impressive $750 million. While his publishing and master recordings were not included in the 2017 transaction, the Jackson estate sold an additional 50% stake in these assets for a record-breaking $600 million in 2024, as reported by Forbes.
Even after his death, Jackson's billion-dollar empire expanded through major deals and various projects. These included film agreements, Broadway shows, and tribute concert tours. Forbes reported that his 2009 concert film 'This is it' earned approximately $267 million at the Box Office, and the 2012 MJ-themed Cirque du Soleil tour brought in $160 million. These figures were unprecedented at the time, earning him more than any living musician that year.
The tour's success resulted in Cirque du Soleil establishing a residency in Las Vegas with Michael Jackson ONE, ongoing since 2013, and launching a Broadway show, MJ: The Musical, in 2022. Together, these have generated $300 million in ticket sales and inspired numerous international productions. Additionally, a Michael Jackson biopic titled 'Michael,' featuring Jaafar Jackson, is scheduled for release in 2026, which will further enhance the late star's net worth.
Who were the richest deceased celebrities in 2025 according to Forbes?
The late King of Pop has secured the number one position on the Forbes list. Here are the other deceased celebrities who continue to generate significant earnings posthumously. Take a look:
Michael Jackson – $105 Million
Dr. Seuss – $85 Million
Richard Wright – $81 Million
Syd Barrett – $81 Million
The Notorious B.I.G. – $80 Million
Miles Davis – $21 Million
Elvis Presley – $17 Million
Jimmy Buffett – $14 Million
Bob Marley – $13 Million
John Lennon – $12 Million
