Late American music icon Michael Jackson has been named Forbes’ highest-paid deceased celebrity of 2025, earning an estimated $105 million in pre-tax income.
The King of Pop’s continued financial success stems largely from a lucrative deal with Sony Music, in which his estate sold a 50% stake in his master recordings and publishing catalog for $600 million.Since his death in 2009, Jackson’s estate has reportedly generated over $3.5 billion, cementing his legacy as the most commercially successful celebrity after death.
Jackson’s Broadway production, MJ: The Musical, has grossed nearly $300 million worldwide, while his Las Vegas residency, Michael Jackson ONE, surpassed 5,000 performances this year.Other music legends featured on Forbes’ 2025 list include Prince, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, whose estates collectively earned $541 million over the past year.
Dr. Seuss secured the second spot with $85 million in earnings, driven by robust book sales and Netflix licensing deals. Pink Floyd co-founders Richard Wright and Syd Barrett each earned $81 million following Sony’s $400 million acquisition of the band’s catalog.
Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s influence continues to transcend record sales, as his estate’s global empire keeps expanding. A highly anticipated biopic titled “Michael,” starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson, is scheduled for release in April 2026, and is expected to spark another surge of interest and revenue for the late pop legend’s estate.
