Top 10 Highest Earning Dead Celebrities In The World

A lot of dead celebrities earn more than the celebrities alive. This is due to the hard work when they were alive. Some people are thrown aback when being asked who the Highest Earning Dead Celebrities in the World are.

However, many people are concerned about how these dead celebrities still earn huge amounts of money. The truth is, most celebrities on this list invested their money in something profitable when they were alive. So in their absence, these investments have been what is generating the wealth.

Moreover, hard work does not pay when people are alive, it also pays in people’s absence.

This article will not only give you the names of these top 10 Highest Earning Dead Celebrities in the World but also give you little knowledge of these investments generating their wealth.

According to Forbes, below is the list of the top 10 Highest Earning Dead Celebrities in the World with the amount they earn and their cause of death.

1. J.R.R. Tolkien – $500 Million

The first Highest Earning Dead Celebrities in the World is John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE FRSL popularly known as J.R.R. Tolkien.

He was an English writer and philologist before his death on 2 September 1993.

Embracer, a Swedish video gaming firm, revealed in August that it had acquired Middle Earth Enterprises. Instead of revealing the purchase price, Embracer chose to say that it had spent $788 million on six acquisitions, including Tolkien.

One astute hobbit, however, claimed in Forbes that Embracer spent at least $500 million for Middle Earth Enterprises; Embracer did not dispute this claim.

Following the transaction, HarperCollins, Amazon, Warner Brothers/New Line, and the Tolkien Estate will all share ownership of the shire with Embracer in what has been called the most complicated IP rights split in history.

Other companies that also own Tolkien’s intellectual property include Warner Brothers/New Line and the Tolkien Estate.

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2. Kobe Bryant – $400 Million

The second Highest Earning Dead Celebrities in the World is Kobe Bryant who earns $400 million. Kobe Bryant passed on January 26, 2020, in a Helicopter crash

Prior to his passing in 2020, the late L.A. Lakers great was a board member and owned 7% of the energy drink company.

Coca-Cola agreed to pay $5.6 billion at an $8 billion valuation for the 70% of BodyArmor that it did not already own by November 2021.

An estimated $400 million from the sale went to Bryant’s estate and that makes him appear on this list.

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3. David Bowie – $250 Million

On the list of the Highest Earning, Dead Celebrities in the World is David Bowie who passed on on January 10, 2016, due to Cancer.

The Thin White Duke famously enquired in the Hunky Dory episode from 1971, “Is there life on Mars?”
We still don’t know—don’t worry, Elon Musk is working on it—but the $250 million profit from the sale of David Bowie’s publishing library and masters to Warner Chappell in January was enough to make Major Tom envious.

Certainly, the Man Who Sold the World.

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4. Elvis Presley – $110 Million

Elvis Aaron Presley simply called Elvis Presley, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the “King of Rock and Roll”, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.

However, the famous singer and actor died as a result of a heart attack on 16 August 1977.

When tourists were cooped up and eager to treat themselves to a holiday at the King’s Graceland house and resort, he benefited handsomely.

According to sources close to the estate, at least $80 million of Presley’s earnings came from tour tickets, performances, and merchandise.

The successful Elvis biopic didn’t bring in a ton of money for the estate immediately, but Presley’s earnings are anticipated to increase for at least the next 18 months as new and old fans alike seek to own a piece of the King.

Even Disney’s Stitch plush animals wearing Elvis jumpsuits are selling better than they did a year ago.

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5. James Brown – $100 Million

The list of the highest-earning dead celebrities in the world will not be complete without mentioning James Brown.

Even after passing away, “the hardest working man in show business” continues to labor. The name and likeness of the Godfather of Soul, as well as his property, real estate, and music rights, were purchased by independent music publisher Primary Wave of New York.

According to reports, Brown’s estate would utilize a portion of the money to permanently finance academic scholarships for underprivileged kids.

However, James Joseph Brown known as James Brown was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer, and bandleader. In 20th-century music before his death in 2006, he was the central progenitor of funk music and a major figure.

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6. Michael Jackson – $75 Million

On this list is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist, Michael Joseph Jackson known as Michael Jackson.

The Jackson-themed Cirque de Soleil production in Las Vegas is back in action and making money alongside the King of Pop’s Mijac Music catalog now that Covid restrictions have been relaxed. MJ is the new cash cow in town.

The Broadway musical “The Musical,” is a jukebox version of Jackson’s life.

According to a Jackson estate insider, the musical will have made $80 million by the end of November. This is a remarkable achievement considering that the production only debuted nine months ago.

Apart from being among the highest-earning dead celebrities in the world, he was one of the richest and most outstanding musicians when he was alive.

7. Leonard Cohen – $55 Million

Leonard Cohen who died on November 7, 2016, due to a Fatal fall is among the highest-earning dead celebrities in the world.

Hipgnosis, a publicly owned music management and IP company led by Merck Mercuriadis, who has handled artists such as Beyoncé, Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, and Morrissey, purchased the “Hallelujah” crooner’s publishing and masters.

Cohen wasn’t very concerned about money issues while he was alive: Cohen had lunch with investment banker David Pullman of “Bowie Bond” fame at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles after his manager allegedly “misappropriated” $5 million in the mid-2000s. According to Pullman, “I’m all wound up asking [Cohen] whether he’s mad.” What good would that do, he asks, “No.” It’s unbelievable how Zen the guy was.

8. Dr. Seuss – $32 Million

Dr. Seuss once stated that the inhabitants of Whoville lived on a planet no bigger than a speck of dust and that Horton the elephant kindly carried their speck on a fluffy dandelion.

Since last November, those small Whos and classic characters like The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, and The Lorax have produced over $16 million in book sales, in addition to a Netflix agreement and merchandise.

9. Jeff Porcaro – $25 Million

With his total earnings of $25 million, Jeff Porcaro made it to this list.

Although he isn’t as well-known as the other deceased celebrities, Toto’s drummer was a legend in the music world while he was alive.

In addition to being a co-writer of the platinum-certified song “Africa,” Porcaro served as recording mentor Quincy Jones’ preferred studio drummer and provided the rhythm for Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the best-selling album of all time.

Along with these artists, Porcaro has worked with Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen. Primary Wave bought his publishing and recording earnings.

10. Charles Schulz – $24 Million

Rounding off the list of the top 10 highest-earning dead celebrities in the world is Charles Schulz who earns $24 million.

Charles Monroe “Sparky” Schulz was an American cartoonist and the creator of the comic strip Peanuts, featuring what are probably his two best-known characters, Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

Both earning money and teasing poor Charlie Brown are reliable activities for Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts crew. However, the game’s dynamics are altering.

Since 1965, the beloved holiday specials “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has aired on free broadcast television. However, Apple TV has acquired the rights for their subscription streaming service (nonsubscribers will be able to watch for free on certain days and PBS will also stream the specials.)

Summary

Though some names on this list are not as famous as the others, some of these celebrities are only famous in their countries. However, even though they are not as famous as the others, they have made their way to this list with their good earnings.

Below is a brief summary of the top 10 Highest Earning Dead Celebrities in the World:

1. J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Kobe Bryant
3. David Bowie
4. Elvis Presley
5. James Brown
6. Michael Jackson
7. Leonard Cohen
8. Dr. Seuss
9. Jeff Porcaro
10. Charles Schulz