Celebrities can earn more in a year while dead than we could dream of earning in a lifetime, as evidenced by the 11 richest dead celebrity earners in 2015. There is a reason celebrities are adored and idolized by millions of people. Their lifestyles and riches are what many people can only dream of.
However, you would imagine that all the fame, popularity, and the money would dwindle and dry up after their death. The reality is completely the opposite. Often, the death of a celebrity triggers compassion and grief, akin to the loss of a loved one. Hence, the interest is reignited, and this is especially true for celebrities who are well past their golden age at the time of their death. Nowadays, the community has become so accepting that any talented individual can make a mark and earn a large amount of money, as can be seen in the 11 highest paid transgender celebrities.
Hence, celebrities continue to earn a large amount of money even well after their death. This money can often provide great comfort and ease to their heirs, as of course, the money goes to them.
In order to determine the 11 richest dead celebrity earners in 2015 we consulted Forbes, which has data regarding the earnings of all sorts of celebrities in 2015, whether dead or alive. Some of the names on this list have had universal popularity, both throughout their lives and after their death as well. Without further ado, here is the list:
11. Theodor Geisel
Earnings in 2015: $9.5 million
A quarter of a century has passed since his death, but Theodor Geisel, better known by his pen name Dr. Suess, has continued raking in millions, thanks to the wildly popular children’s books that he wrote throughout his life.
10. Bettie Page
Earnings in 2015: $10 million
The quintessential pinup model, Bettie Page revolutionized the modeling industry in a way that her profile has not diminished, even though she passed away 8 years ago.
9. Paul Walker
Earnings in 2015: $10.5 million
The beloved actor passed away in a fiery crash back in 2013, and his death resulted in a significant increase in interest for Fast and Furious 7, which ended earning well over a billion dollars.
8. Albert Einstein
Earnings in 2015: $11 million
While his death occurred over half a century ago, one of the most famous and brilliant scientists of all time, Einstein still has a lot of fans, which are more than happy to purchase merchandise with his image or name.
7. John Lennon
Earnings in 2015: $12 million
Part of the Beatles, one of the greatest and most popular bands of all time, John Lennon’s estate still continues to profit from Beatles albums and merchandise, enabling him to get a spot on this list.
6. Marilyn Monroe
Earnings in 2015: $17 million
The actress was one of the most popular actresses in the 1960s, if not the most popular. Her brand has survived long after her death, which has allowed her estate to continue earning millions.
5. Elizabeth Taylor
Earnings in 2015: $20 million
One of the most famous actresses of her time, her continued after-death earnings mainly have to do with her fragrance line, which still has some popular perfumes.
4. Bob Marley
Earnings in 2015: $21 million
In addition to his music, Marley’s posthumous earnings involve the profits of his companies, Marley Beverages and House of Marley.
3. Charles Schulz
Earnings in 2015: $40 million
Schulz created one of the most popular comic strips of all time, The Peanuts, whose earnings still contribute to his estate. In fact, a movie based on the comic strip came out in 2015, increasing his earnings significantly.
2. Elvis Presley
Earnings in 2015: $55 million
The king of rock and roll is probably one of the most famous musicians of all time, though his earnings include the sale of tickets to his residence, Graceland, in addition to the music sold.
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1. Michael Jackson
Earnings in 2015: $115 million
Steamrolling the opposition, Michael Jackson has topped the list of 11 highest dead celebrity earners in 2015, a list he has topped ever since his passing in 2009. Famous for his music as much as the controversy he generated, Michael Jackson sold 35 million albums in just one year after his death. Furthermore, when his death hit the news, it generated so much traffic that websites such as Twitter, Google and Wikipedia crashed as they were unable to handle it. This is evidence regarding the global appeal of the music icon, despite the allegations leveled against him throughout his career.
