Michael Jackson 2009's Top Earning Dead Musician

10/29/09 1:30pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

Michael Jackson has taken third place on Forbes magazine's annual list of the top earning dead celebrities, despite only having died in June.

Jackson, who's the top earning dead musician on the list, has made $90 million U.S. (about $96 million Canadian) since he passed away, beating the $55 million U.S. (about $59 million Canadian) Elvis Presley made this year. Presley was Jackson's closest competitor, coming in fourth on the list.

Other top-earning dead musicians of 2009 include John Lennon ($15 million U.S.) and Jimi Hendrix ($8 million U.S.).

The top-earning dead celebrity was late fashion magnate Yves Saint Laurent, whose estate took in $350 million U.S. (about $375 million Canadian) last year. Forbes magazine's list also includes Lord Of The Rings novelist J.R.R. Tolkien, late Peanuts columnist Charles Schultz, Dr. Seuss, Albert Einstein and Andy Warhol.

Here is Forbes magazine's full list of the top-earning dead celebrities of 2009:

Yves Saint Laurent $350 million U.S.
Rodgers & Hammerstein: $235 million U.S.
Michael Jackson: $90 million U.S.
Elvis Presley: $55 million U.S.
J.R.R. Tolkien: $50 million U.S.
Charles Schultz: $35 million U.S.
John Lennon: $15 million U.S.
Dr. Seuss: $15 million U.S.
Albert Einstein: $10 million U.S.
Michael Crichton: $9 million U.S.
Aaron Spelling: $8 million U.S.
Jimi Hendrix: $8 million U.S.
Andy Warhol: $6 million U.S.