Michael Jackson was #1 for 8 years in the row in the famous Forbes’ Highest-Paid Dead Celebrity.
In 2021, Michael went to #3 due to the Estate not securing major deals and COVID.
COVID is still a repercussion of this year’s position in the list, but also other artists have secured bigger deals. At #1 this year we can see J.R.R. Tolkien who made $500 Million when Swedish video game company Embracer announced its acquisition of Middle Earth Enterprises in August for $788 million. Following close behind is basketball legend Kobe Bryant with $400 million from his estate’s sale of his stake in the BodyArmor sports drink company to Coca-Cola. It marks the largest acquisition in the soft drink firm’s history. At #3, David Bowie Estate made $250 Million with the sale of his publishing catalogue. Elvis is at #4 majorly from his Estate deals for shows, merchandise and of course the biopic. James Brown is at #5 due to the acquisition of his music rights by a New York-based independent music publisher.
And yes, Michael Jackson lost 3 spots to be at #6 for 2022. MJ ONE was closed for so long due to COVID, the lack of Merchandise’s sale and Estate’s deals made in the last 2 years has a repercussion in the profits and therefore the position in this list. However, 2023 might be different as MJ ONE in Las Vegas re-opened, MJ The Musical is doing really well with $80 million growth by November and also it is about to tour the US in August 2023. Not to mention Thriller 40 is about to come out and the sales of this new Estate Project will put back some cash in the bank with albums and merchandise sales.
- J.R.R. Tolkien with $500 Million
- Kobe Bryant with $400 Million
- David Bowie with $250 Million
- Elvis Presley with $110 Million
- James Brown with $100 Million
- Michael Jackson with $75 Million
- Leonard Cohen with $55 Million
- Dr Seuss with $32 Million
- Jeff Porcaro with $25 Million
- Charles Schulz with $24 Million
SOURCE: Forbes
