30 Dead Celebrities Who Are Still Making Millions Today
These famous figures continue to pull in millions every year, thanks to estates that know exactly how to keep their legacies alive. Incredibly, some earn more now than they ever did in their prime. Being gone doesn’t mean being broke.
Michael Jackson ($600 Million)
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You’d think after all this time, things might slow down, but the pop king’s estate keeps cashing in big. Weekly grosses from international productions of MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical rake in $6 million. Hamburg alone is projected to break records. Even in death, he’s still setting trends and selling out theaters.
Freddie Mercury ($250 Million)
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That legendary voice keeps pulling in massive money thanks to Queen’s $1 billion catalog sale, the biggest of its kind so far. A boost from Bohemian Rhapsody royalties helped Freddie Mercury’s estate pocket an extra $241 million since 2020. His iconic presence remains impossible to ignore in music and Hollywood circles.
Dr. Seuss ($75 Million)
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Children everywhere keep flipping pages through the timeless magic of Dr. Seuss’s stories. Licensing deals cover movies and theme parks, with Dr. Seuss Babies introducing pint-sized versions of beloved characters. Even gold and silver collector’s coins help keep the money rolling in for the Cat in the Hat’s creator.
Elvis Presley ($50 Million)
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It’s been decades since Graceland first opened its doors, but over 600,000 fans still show up every year. Revenue streams include streaming, licensing, and tourism. Elvis Presley remains big business, despite scammers’ bizarre attempts to fraudulently sell his Memphis home at auction.
Ric Ocasek ($45 Million)
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Primary Wave made sure The Cars’ legacy keeps generating cash with their acquisition of publishing and likeness rights. Ric Ocasek’s biggest hit, Just What I Needed, still gets airtime and accolades. Rolling Stone even named it one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Prince ($35 Million)
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Fans keep streaming Purple Rain and visiting Paisley Park, and his estate keeps an eye on profits. Ongoing earnings include master recordings, licensing, and visitor tours. Prince even made headlines posthumously over creative disputes with Netflix.
Bob Marley ($34 Million)
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Reggae and entrepreneurship go hand in hand when it comes to the Marley estate. The box office hit One Love sent earnings soaring. Meanwhile, his family’s cannabis collaboration with Jeeter turned into a headline-worthy venture.
Charles Schulz ($30 Million)
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Generation Z is falling for Snoopy from the TikTok fandom and retro merch flying off shelves at CVS and Urban Outfitters. Peanuts licensing remains wildly lucrative. Charles Schulz’s estate banks approximately $30 million annually through streaming, apparel, and collaborations.
Kobe Bryant ($20 Million)
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Even after his tragic death, Kobe Bryant’s estate remains financially strong, with royalties from his NBA days and savvy business moves intact. Vanessa Bryant manages it all. Earnings from sports ventures, endorsements, and investments ensure his daughters are provided for. Estimated yearly earnings hover around $20 million.
Matthew Perry ($18 Million)
Credit: Instagram
Streaming royalties from movies add up to more than $17 million annually. Matthew Perry’s memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, sold over 2.5 million copies following his death. Legal charges related to his overdose tragedy are still making headlines, but his earnings remain consistent.
John Lennon ($17 Million)
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Artificial intelligence gave fans Now and Then, the so-called last Beatles song, resurrected from a 1978 demo. Annual income for John Lennon’s estate stays steady owing to devoted fans and a continued love for his music. His influence lives on through reissues, remasters, and innovative tech-driven releases.
James Brown ($15 Million)
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Efforts to transform James Brown’s South Carolina estate into a tourist draw are underway. Primary Wave controls his publishing, likeness, and music. His legendary work ethic paid off during his life and continues to deliver millions long after his final performance.
Arnold Palmer ($14 Million)
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Every year, half a billion cans of Arnold Palmer’s signature iced tea and lemonade combo are sold. The estate earns stable royalties from AriZona. Meanwhile, Molson Coors’ spiked version is America’s number two hard tea. His golf course design business and ownership of the Bay Hill Golf Course also continue to generate revenue.
Whitney Houston ($13 Million)
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Casino floors light up with Whitney Houston’s hits resulting from her branded gambling machines. Every spin generates royalties for the estate, and more than 1,000 slots are expected to roll out by 2025. Music, movies, and gaming further maintain the revenue.
Marilyn Monroe ($10 Million)
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Fashion brands still love Marilyn Monroe’s image for perfume and luxury deals, with Chanel and Montblanc among those paying up. Her managers fiercely protect her likeness. Though she passed away at 36, her estate pulls in eight figures annually from licensing tied to her immortal Hollywood glamour.
Nipsey Hussle ($11 Million)
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Album sales surged after his passing, but Nipsey Hussle’s earnings now also come from business ventures like Marathon Clothing and All Money In No Money Out, Inc. His estate controls royalties, catalog rights, and merchandise.
Elizabeth Taylor ($10 Million)
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It’s hard to forget Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds fragrance, which is still in department stores everywhere. Her estate collects revenue from film residuals and the scent that started the celebrity perfume craze. She redefined Hollywood glamor, and her redolence alone has generated nearly a billion dollars.
Bruce Lee ($8 Million)
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EA Sports licensed Bruce Lee’s likeness for UFC games in 2014. His movies and merchandise contribute endless royalties of about $8 million annually. The martial arts icon’s impact on action cinema and pop culture is far from finished.
Steve McQueen ($8 Million)
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Cool never goes out of style, and Steve McQueen’s estate keeps cashing in on that fact. Licensing deals with brands like Ford and TAG Heuer, owing to his love of motorcycles and cars, bring in millions. The fans continue to celebrate his rebellious screen persona and legendary charisma.
David Bowie ($8 Million)
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David Bowie’s estate brings in cash from licensing, merchandising, and music, with annual earnings of around $8 million. His family auctioned off part of his art collection for $40 million in 2016, far surpassing estimates.
Muhammad Ali ($8 Million)
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Ali’s estate remains in the money with licensing agreements tied to sports brands and major ad campaigns. His image represents confidence and strength worldwide. Adidas, Porsche, and Louis Vuitton have, however, cut deals over the years.
Tom Petty ($8 Million)
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Streaming royalties and music sales keep Tom Petty’s estate thriving. His final Heartbreakers tour brought in $20 million alone, and earnings haven’t stopped since. Lovers revisit his decades of hits regularly.
Albert Einstein ($7 Million)
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Science pays, especially when you’re Albert Einstein. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem holds his estate and profits from licensing his image on educational toys like Baby Einstein. Annual royalties hover near $7 million.
Jimi Hendrix ($7 Million)
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The Hendrix estate earns millions annually from streaming, licensing, and reissues. His revolutionary guitar work remains influential, and his catalog still sells products. A 2009 deal with Sony secured even more income.
Andy Warhol ($6 Million)
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Brands continue to use Warhol’s catalog for campaigns, and his artwork remains highly collectible. His Campbell’s Soup Cans, luxury fashion, and distinctive vision continue to attract millions from the art world.
Frank Sinatra ($5 Million)
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Frank Sinatra’s catalog and image are hot commodities that generate millions annually. Licensing deals keep the music playing in commercials, films, and streaming services. A reissue of Duets II even gave My Way a new audience.
James Dean ($5 Million)
Credit: imdb
Rebel Without a Cause never fades, and James Dean’s estate proves it with earnings tied to licensing deals and merchandise. His iconic films remain cultural touchstones, and his representation still sells posters and fashion.
Hugh Hefner ($5 Million)
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Playboy’s global branding keeps Hugh Hefner’s estate comfortably earning. The rabbit logo is recognized worldwide in both lifestyle products and international licensing deals. The business he built continues to generate millions.
Paul Walker ($4 Million)
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Fast and Furious continues to fuel Paul Walker’s estate through royalties and licensing linked to the billion-dollar franchise. Legal settlements and residuals add to the total. His family benefits from an unending income as fans revisit his work and brands keep associating his name with speed.
Richard Rodgers ($3.5 Million)
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Musical theater’s biggest hits generate serious money thanks to Richard Rodgers’ contributions. The Sound of Music and Oklahoma! are performed worldwide, and licensing brings in millions. His estate profited handsomely from a $235 million sale of the Rodgers & Hammerstein catalog.