Every year, at the end of October, Forbes is inspired by Halloween and releases a list of the richest dead celebrities. Indeed, even if the person himself is no longer in the world, his creations (books, paintings, musical works, etc.) continue to regularly bring income to the heirs. Here's what the top ten of the most profitable of the deceased stars look like in 2017.
10. Albert Einstein
The state is 10 million dollars.
Even being in the “other world”, physicist Albert Einstein managed to earn a tidy sum this year. His face can be seen on a variety of products, ranging from posters and mobile games, to talking robots and fashion bags.
9. John Lennon
Fortune - 12 million dollars.
37 years have passed since the death of the singer and composer, who was murdered in New York, and his name still makes a profit by selling music on iTunes, the Beatles show in Cirque du Soleil and thanks to licensing deals with Cisco and Montblanc. Lennon’s killer, Mark David Chapman, has recently been denied parole for the ninth time.
8. Dr. Seuss
The state is 16 million dollars.
Stable book sales helped Theodor Geisel (such is Dr. Seuss's real name) get into the top dead celebrities with the highest incomes in 2017. According to the books of Dr. Seuss, children in English-speaking countries learn to read, and his book “Places You Will Go” is very often presented to schoolchildren at graduation parties.
7. Prince
The state is 18 million dollars.
The singer and musician, who died in April 2016 from an accidental overdose of opioids, could have posthumously earned much more if the deal for the $ 31 million Prince’s heirs with the Universal Music Group had failed. As it turned out, the agreement does not include the transfer of rights to use the singer’s songs until 1996.
6. Tom Petty
The state is $ 20 million.
American rock musician Tom Petty, who died recently, on October 2, became one of the "dead millionaires" due to the income received from his group's spring-summer tour. It ended on September 25th.
5. Bob Marley
The state is 23 million dollars.
Jamaican superstar reggae and after death was able to earn $ 23 million in just a year, thanks to revenues from the sale of music, House of Marley branded goods and various teas, coffee drinks and soda under the Marley Beverage Co. brand
4. Elvis Presley
The state is 35 million dollars.
Presley entered the list of the richest deceased stars of 2017 with $ 35 million, while in 2016 his posthumous condition was $ 27 million. The King’s income increased thanks to two new buildings located on the Graceland estate in Memphis: The Guest House and Elvis Presley entertainment complex. More than 6 million visitors visit Graceland annually.
3. Charles Schulz
The state is 38 million dollars.
Peanuts comic book creator Charles Schulz took third place in the selection of the richest celebrities who died, thanks to a lucrative license for Snoopy puppy (symbol of MetLife insurance company), as well as sales of books, comics and various products depicting the characters created by Schultz.
2. Arnold Palmer
Fortune - 40 million dollars.
In second place in the top 10 richest deceased celebrities of 2017 is the golf icon Arnold Palmer. His 40 millionth fortune was obtained mainly through the sale of branded clothing bearing the name of the famous golfer and drinks line AriZona Arnold Palmer.
1. Michael Jackson
The state is 75 million dollars.
Like last year’s ranking, Michael Jackson is a top earner on the list of superstars that have already died. According to Forbes, such an impressive wealth of the singer is due to the proceeds from the recent animated play “Halloween by Michael Jackson” from CBS, the show Cirque du Soleil, dedicated to the king of pop music and successful sales of his latest hit album Scream, as well as a share in the publishing house EMI Music.
The figures presented by Forbes are based on celebrity income before taxes received between October 15, 2016 and October 15, 2017. Forbes sources include Nielsen SoundScan, IMDB, Pollstar Pro and interviews with real estate experts.
