Michael Jackson leads the world’s top-earning dead celebrities

Michael Jackson continues to make money even in his afterlife. With his legendary fame and hefty investments, the late King of Pop is leading the list of the world’s highest –paid dead celebrities.

According to Forbes magazine, the sale of Jackson’s 50 percent stake of the SONY/ATV Publishing catalog earned him US$825 million (AU$1 billion) pretax income from a single deal forged in March.

Jackson reportedly bought the Beatles-packed ATV publishing catalog for US$47.5 million (AU$60 million) in 1985. The tag price translates to US$140 million (AU$186 million) in 2016 valuation.

In 1995, Sony paid Jackson US$115 million (AU$153 million) to form a 50-50 joint venture with the music icon. Finally, Sony purchased Jackson’s remaining stake early this year.

The sale of Jackson’s SONY/ATV publishing catalogue translated to a 30 percent annualized return on his original investment.

Michael Jackson net worth

Jackson was reportedly drowning in debt when he died on June 25, 2009 at age 50. His mother, Katherine, had to sell in 2010 the Encino property where Jackson and his siblings grew up so she can buy a new residence for Jackson’s children Paris, Prince and Michael Joseph Jr. (Read: Janet Jackson, 50, is pregnant with first child)

Jackson’s estate is managed by lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain. His estate continues to profit from Jackson’s various assets, including Mijac Music publishing catalogue and from the Cirque de Soleil’s long-running Michael Jackson One show in Las Vegas.

There’s no stopping Jackson’s money-making ventures beyond the grave. Even the Internal Revenue Service claimed that Jackson’s name and image amounted to over US$434 million (AU$576 million) upon his death.

Top 3 highest-paid dead celebrities

Following Jackson in the 2016 list is cartoonist Charles Schulz, who made US$48 million (AU$64 million) between October 2015 to October 2016 mainly on the Peanuts franchise and its licensing revenue.

At third spot is golf legend Arnold Palmer, who earned US$40 million (AU$53 million) just before he died on Sep. 16.