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How the dead keep making money -

Have you ever wondered how deceased A-listers continue to amass millions each year? One source of income is investments, many of which take years to produce a solid return.

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How the dead keep making money -

Selling catalogs is another way to increase the fortune of a dead celeb's estate. It’s only a matter of time until an artist’s catalog becomes public domain, so it’s in the best interest of the estate to sell it.

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How the dead keep making money -

The estates of late celebrities often have multiple sources of income, including merchandise, royalties, and ticket sales for events.

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Methodology -

Forbes put this ranking together based on pre-tax earnings from several sources, including licensing deals, streams, and sales. The revenue was generated between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. Now, let’s take a look at the ranking.

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Marilyn Monroe -

The famous blonde bombshell left us on August 5, 1962, at the age of 36. Marilyn Monroe’s estate has made US$10 million this year, earning her the bottom position in the top 12. 

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Marilyn Monroe -

Marilyn Monroe’s iconic image is the estate’s main source of revenue. Licensing and merchandising, which this year included new beauty products and lingerie, contributed to a spot on the list of the highest-paid dead celebrities of 2023.

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Arnold Palmer -

The legendary golfer died on September 25, 2016, at 87. Palmer’s estate earned US$10 million in 2023. Palmer made a lot of money as a pro golfer, but his posthumous fortune is coming from a completely different source.

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Arnold Palmer -

Arnold Palmer’s estate has the sale of his beverage to thank for the earnings. The non-alcoholic drink, which is half lemonade and half iced tea, was trademarked as the Arnold Palmer in 2001. There is also a spiked version available.

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George Harrison -

The late guitarist of The Beatles passed away on November 29, 2001. He was 58. George Harrison’s earnings amounted to US$14 million in 2023.

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George Harrison -

George Harrison’s estate earns most of its income from royalties of his music, both as a solo artist and as a member of The Beatles. The Cirque du Soleil show ‘Love,’ which is based on the Beatles catalog, also contributed to the late guitarist’s earnings.

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Bing Crosby -

The iconic singer and actor died on October 14, 1977, at the age of 75. Bing Crosby’s estate earned US$14 million in 2023.

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Bing Crosby -

Royalties from Crosby’s back catalog, as well as the use of his music, were the main sources of revenue. This includes the posthumous album ‘Bing Crosby’s Christmas Gems’ released in 2023.

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Bob Marley -

The legendary reggae artist left us on May 11, 1981, at the age of 36. Bob Marley’s estate grossed US$16 million in 2023 earning him number 9 in the ranking.

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Bob Marley -

Bob Marley’s music is still very popular, as is his likeness, which can be found on numerous products, from headphones to sneakers, and cannabis. In fact, the first Marley-branded cannabis store opened in Jamaica in 2023. The movie ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is hitting the theaters in 2024, which will surely gross a few million too.

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John Lennon -

The ex-Beatle was assassinated on December 8, 1980 in New York City. John Lennon was 40. The estate of the late singer-songwriter earned US$22 million in 2023.

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John Lennon -

The earnings came from both his individual music catalog as well as his share of royalties from The Beatles. Thanks to AI, the Fab Four released a new song called ‘Now and Then' in 2023. 

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Charles M. Schulz -

The famous American cartoonist behind the comic strip ‘Peanuts,' featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, died on February 12, 2000, at 77. Schulz’s estate amassed US$30 million in 2023.

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Charles M. Schulz -

The ‘Peanuts’ characters continue to entertain audiences, whether through streaming, sneakers, or even cookware. Indeed, this year’s collaborations were very lucrative.

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Prince -

The Purple One left us on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57. Prince and Charles M. Schulz share the same position in the ranking, with US$30 million in 2023.

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Prince -

Prince has released three posthumous albums, and a remastered version of his 1991 album ‘Diamonds and Pearls’ hit the stores in 2023.

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Whitney Houston -

The ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer passed away on February 11, 2012. She was 48. Whitney Houston also joined the US$30 million club in 2023.

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Whitney Houston -

In December 2022, the singer’s estate grossed nearly US$60 million worldwide from the movie ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.’ Additionally, MAC Cosmetics released a makeup collection in collaboration with the Houston estate.

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Dr. Seuss -

The children's author and cartoonist, known for creating fictional characters such as the Grinch and the Cat in the Hat, died on September 24, 1991. He was 87. Dr. Seuss comes in at number four in the ranking with US$40 million.

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Dr. Seuss -

Dr. Seuss’ annual earnings come from his back catalog sales as well as new releases such as ‘Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Lost Christmas!’ Income from licensing his characters, including the Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, and the Lorax, all add up.

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Ray Manzarek -

The iconic keyboard player and co-founder of The Doors died from cancer on May 20, 2013, aged 74. Before he passed away, Manzarek and the band’s (living) guitarist Robby Krieger jointly sold their rights to The Doors' music. Ray Manzarek earned US$45 million in 2023.

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Ray Manzarek -

The music rights were sold to a music company called Primary Wave. The deal gave the company access to the band’s music, publishing, trademarks and merchandising, as well as other related income. The estate of Jim Morrison and the band’s drummer John Densmore haven’t sold their stakes in The Doors.

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Elvis Presley -

The King died on August 16, 1977. Elvis was 42. For nearly half a decade, Graceland, his preserved home in Memphis, Tennessee, has been receiving thousands of visitors each year, and making a lot of money. Elvis Presley earned US$100 million in 2023.

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Elvis Presley -

In 2023 alone, Graceland received around 600,000 visitors, which means lots of tickets and merchandise sold. Following the death of Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley in January 2023, the King’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, became the sole trustee of his estate.

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Michael Jackson -

The King of Pop passed away on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. Michael Jackson is the highest-earning dead star of 2023 with a whopping US$115 million in earnings. He returns to the top spot, which he held back in 2019.

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Michael Jackson -

The estate of MJ made a lot of money in 2023 from a number of sources, including US$85 million in ticket sales from the Broadway show ‘MJ: The Musical.’ His Cirque du Soleil show, ‘Michael Jackson ONE’ also made a lot of money, as did the signing for a future biopic called ’Michael’ that will star MJ’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson.

Sources: (Forbes)

See also: The highest-paid pastors in the world

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