Michael Jackson Tops 2025 List of Highest-Paid Deceased Celebrities

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Late American music icon Michael Jackson has been declared the highest-paid deceased celebrity of 2025.

The legendary “King of Pop” topped Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s highest-earning late celebrities.

The report revealed that Jackson brought in an estimated $105 million over the past year, far exceeding the earnings of any other deceased star.

A large portion of Michael Jackson’s 2025 earnings came from the 2024 sale of a 50% stake in his master recordings and publishing catalog to Sony Music, a deal reportedly worth $600 million.

Forbes noted that musicians dominated this year’s list, occupying ten of the top thirteen spots — including late icons like Prince, John Lennon, and Bob Marley — who collectively earned $541 million over the past year.

Since Jackson’s passing in 2009, his estate has generated an astounding $3.5 billion, cementing his status as the most financially successful deceased celebrity in history.