According to Forbes magazine, the King of Pop Michael Jackson was the highest-earning deceased star in 2016 with 825 million USD 

This statistic shows that he earned a huge amount of money up to 825 million USD in 2016. The above amount came from Sony’s decision to buy back Michael Jackson’s investment in Sony/ATV – the world’s largest music publisher.

Under the deal, Sony will make a one-time payment to the Jackson Estate. Sony will then take control of the joint venture that Jackson and Sony established in 1995.

This made Michael Jackson the highest-earning celebrity in 2016. Even on the list of deceased celebrities with huge incomes, he far surpassed the rest.

Michael Jackson was the world’s highest-paid star in 2016. Photo: Mirror. 

Despite a surge in Prince’s album sales following his death from a drug overdose in April, his earnings remained at $25 million . He ranked fifth, just below Elvis Presley, who made $27 million .

David Bowie, the music legend who died of cancer after releasing a new album, sold more albums and singles than both Presley and Jackson in 2016, but his total earnings were still a modest $ 10.5 million .

Meanwhile, animator Charles Schulz, famous for the Peanuts  franchise,  ranked second with $48 million . Golf legend Arnold Palmer, who passed away last month, ranked third with $40 million .

Two stars David Bowie and Prince are also among the top-earning dead stars. Photo: US Weekly. 

List of highest-earning dead celebrities (in millions of USD)

1. Michael Jackson (died 2009) — 825

2. Charles Schulz (died 2000) — 48

3. Arnold Palmer (died 2016) — 40

4. Elvis Presley (died 1977) — 27

5. Prince (died 2016) — 25

6. Bob Marley (died 1981) — 21

7. Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel (died 1991) — 20

8. John Lennon (died 1980) — 12

9. Albert Einstein (died 1955) — 11.5

10. Bettie Page (died 2008) — 11

11. David Bowie (died 2016) — 10.5

12. Steve McQueen (died 1980) — 9

13. Elizabeth Taylor (died 2011) — 8