Highest-Earning Dead Celebrities
Earning power does not always end when a star passes away. Many estates run global businesses that license names and likenesses, manage music and publishing catalogs, and operate museums and attractions. The results show up in steady sales, long term brand deals, and new projects that introduce legends to fresh audiences.
This list looks at twenty celebrity estates that continue to generate significant income. Each entry highlights the main revenue streams that keep the legacy active, from merchandising and touring shows to film and television projects, publishing, and carefully managed licensing programs.
Michael Jackson
The estate earns from recorded music, publishing, and long standing licensing agreements. A major Las Vegas resident show keeps the catalog in circulation, while a Broadway production built around his music adds steady theater revenue. Ongoing streaming and synchronization deals keep his songs in films and commercials worldwide.
The estate also oversees merchandise programs and archival projects that produce anniversary releases. A large content library and a well known brand make collaborations with live entertainment producers and global retailers a consistent source of income.
Elvis Presley
The Graceland museum complex brings in ticket sales and hospitality revenue year round. Official merchandise tied to his image sells across fashion, home goods, and collectibles, and seasonal tourism spikes around key dates sustain foot traffic.
Music continues to perform strongly on streaming platforms. New film and television projects tied to his story create fresh demand for the catalog and for licensed apparel, accessories, and memorabilia sold through official channels and retail partners.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss Enterprises manages a deep publishing catalog that remains a staple for children’s book sales. Animated features and television specials based on titles like ‘The Grinch’ and ‘The Lorax’ keep characters in the public eye and extend licensing to toys and classroom materials.
The brand also collaborates with apparel and home decor companies on character driven collections. School events and literacy campaigns boost recurring demand for the books, while stage productions and holiday programming drive seasonal sales.
Charles M. Schulz
The ‘Peanuts’ franchise generates revenue through global licensing for apparel, toys, stationery, and themed attractions. Holiday specials and new animated content keep Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the gang in regular circulation on streaming and broadcast.
Theme park areas and traveling exhibitions add location based income. The brand’s cross generational appeal supports premium collaborations with fashion labels and consumer brands, which in turn refresh retail presence and maintain strong royalty streams.
Bob Marley
Music streaming, physical reissues, and synchronization deals for classic tracks underpin the estate’s earnings. Branded products across audio gear, beverages, and apparel extend the name into lifestyle categories and bring in licensing fees.
Feature films and documentaries introduce the music to new audiences and lift demand for catalog titles. Official merchandise programs and anniversary events draw steady sales, while partnerships with major retailers expand distribution worldwide.
Arnold Palmer
The name powers a long running beverage line that sells in supermarkets and convenience stores. Golf apparel, accessories, and course design consultancies add multiple revenue channels that reach both fans and the broader golf market.
Corporate licensing covers brands that place his signature and silhouette on products. International deals extend the mark into Asia and Latin America, and televised golf content keeps the association visible, supporting retail sell through.
Prince
Streaming of the catalog and deluxe reissues drive music income. The estate operates Paisley Park as a museum and event space, which brings in admissions and special event revenue along with exclusive merchandise.
Licensing of songs for film, television, and advertising remains active due to a deep catalog. Limited edition drops, archival releases, and curated collaborations with fashion and lifestyle brands keep demand high among collectors and new listeners.
David Bowie
The music catalog is administered under long term agreements that facilitate reissues and curated box sets. These releases support sustained streaming growth and provide premium products for collectors.
Film and documentary projects keep the art and image in circulation, which feeds demand for licensed apparel, posters, and books. Heritage exhibitions and museum shows add ticketed revenue and broaden audience reach beyond core fans.
Kobe Bryant
Royalties from footwear and apparel partnerships contribute a consistent stream, with signature products in continuous production. Official memorabilia and licensed trading cards maintain strong resale and retail demand.
Media and publishing tied to his creative projects add incremental earnings. Commemorative releases and limited capsule collections drive spikes in sales around key dates, while youth sports initiatives sustain brand visibility and support merchandise sell through.
J. R. R. Tolkien
Publishing rights to the Middle earth works deliver steady book sales across formats. Large scale screen adaptations and related projects sustain broad interest, which in turn drives licensing for games, collectibles, and themed consumer products.
Map art, special editions, and scholarly companion volumes expand the catalog for enthusiasts. The estate’s approvals on licensed merchandise ensure brand consistency, helping maintain high retail standards and repeat collaborations.
Roald Dahl
The story company’s integration with a major streaming platform enables new adaptations that keep characters in rotation. That pipeline supports book sales and expands licensing opportunities for toys, games, and classroom materials.
Stage and screen versions of stories such as ‘Matilda’ bring in performance rights and soundtrack income. Character driven collaborations with retailers add seasonal collections that refresh demand for classic titles.
John Lennon
The catalog earns from songwriting royalties, streaming, and film and television placements. Anniversary editions with archival material create premium packages that appeal to collectors and drive chart reentries.
Official merchandise, lithographs, and photography releases broaden product offerings. Documentaries focused on the band years and the solo period keep interest high and support continuous sales across digital and physical formats.
George Harrison
Reissues of solo albums and curated box sets drive catalog revenue. The family label develops new projects and partnerships that place the music into films and television, adding synchronization income to streaming.
Limited edition instruments and music gear tie ins appeal to musicians and fans. Tribute concerts and curated events keep the music on stage, which helps maintain demand for recordings and official merchandise.
Whitney Houston
Streaming gains from her core hits remain strong and benefit from new biographical films and soundtracks. Catalog curation and remastered releases introduce the recordings to younger listeners and support premium physical sales.
The estate licenses her image for fashion and beauty collaborations. Exhibition tours and stage productions keep the legacy active and create opportunities for merchandise and sponsorships tied to live experiences.
Freddie Mercury
The band’s touring activities and ongoing releases keep the catalog at the front of rock streaming. The success of the biographical film ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ broadened the audience and increased demand for licensed apparel and memorabilia.
International campaigns around anniversaries and special editions help retail partners plan featured displays. High profile placements of songs in advertising and sports broadcasts continue to generate synchronization revenue.
Marilyn Monroe
The estate’s licensing partner manages a wide range of categories that include fashion, fragrance, and home decor. Iconic photography enables premium art prints and editorial collaborations that perform well in global retail.
Museum exhibits and brand campaigns renew interest and support capsule collections with major designers and retailers. Seasonal marketing aligned to cultural moments keeps merchandise in rotation and drives consistent royalties.
Albert Einstein
Rights holders license the name and likeness for advertising, education, and branded products. The instantly recognizable image and quotes appear on posters, apparel, and classroom materials, generating ongoing royalties.
Publishing related to science education and popular history adds supplemental revenue. Partnerships require approvals that protect brand integrity, which preserves demand for high quality licensed products across markets.
Bruce Lee
The estate licenses the name, likeness, and signature for apparel, footwear, and training gear. Appearances in video games and sports promotions introduce the image to new generations and produce recurring fees.
Documentaries and restored editions of classic films sustain interest in the archive. Collaborations with martial arts organizations and fitness platforms support limited releases that sell through quickly and maintain premium positioning.
John Wayne
The brand extends across apparel, outdoor gear, and food and beverage products through licensing. Museum and ranch experiences add tourism and event income and create retail opportunities for exclusive merchandise.
Classic film broadcasts and streaming keep the image in circulation and support related product lines. Partnerships with Western lifestyle brands maintain a stable retail presence in specialty channels and national chains.
Juice WRLD
Posthumous album releases and collaborations keep streaming numbers high across major platforms. Unreleased material and deluxe editions provide new content that attracts both longtime fans and first time listeners.
Merchandise drops and festival tributes add incremental revenue. The estate works with labels and producers to place tracks in media, which drives additional discovery and supports sustained catalog performance.
Muhammad Ali
The estate licenses the name and likeness for advertising, apparel, and collectibles. Museums and exhibition partnerships keep archival photography in circulation and support sales of books and prints through gift shops and official channels.
A long running arrangement for trademarks protects commercial use across sports equipment and lifestyle goods. Documentaries and anniversary programming raise demand for licensed merchandise and help sustain royalty income from global retail partners.
Stan Lee
Publishing contracts and creator credits on characters continue to generate participation from film and television projects. The estate approves licensing for collectibles, statues, and fine art prints that use archival signatures and imagery.
Convention appearances by licensed partners and curated exhibitions drive sales of limited editions. Educational content and commemorative books about character creation add incremental revenue through bookstores and specialty retailers.
Agatha Christie
Book sales across print, audio, and digital formats remain strong in many languages. Screen adaptations of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Death on the Nile’ refresh interest in the catalog and support tie in editions and box sets.
The estate oversees performance rights for stage plays that tour internationally. Licensing extends to board games, puzzles, and themed experiences that present stories to new audiences and generate steady royalties.
Ian Fleming
Publishing programs for the ‘James Bond’ novels include collector editions and translations that maintain year round sales. Film and television projects tied to the spy franchise drive demand for tie in books and luxury collaborations.
The estate manages approvals for lifestyle products that align with the brand. Partnerships for games and interactive content extend the stories to younger demographics and create recurring licensing income.
C. S. Lewis
The ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ books sell across schools and family markets with regular reprint cycles. Film and series development keeps characters visible and supports renewed interest in companion guides and illustrated editions.
Licensing covers educational resources, apparel, and faith based products that align with the themes of the works. The estate works with museums and libraries on exhibitions that feature manuscripts and artwork, generating ticket and merchandise revenue.
Michael Crichton
Ongoing interest in ‘Jurassic Park’ fuels sales of novels and related science themed books. Screen rights across multiple properties support new productions, which in turn lift backlist sales in bookstores and digital platforms.
Licensing includes toys, games, and educational materials tied to science and technology topics. Estate managed archives supply materials for documentaries and special editions that attract collectors and libraries.
Tom Clancy
Publishing programs for the Ryanverse deliver consistent sales across paperbacks, hardcovers, and audiobooks. Screen projects using characters from the novels keep the brand in circulation and support tie in editions.
Licensing extends to video games and strategy themed products that reach global audiences. The estate coordinates with developers and publishers on new releases that produce royalties from both premium and catalog titles.
Virgil Abloh
Royalties flow from fashion collections and accessories bearing his name under ongoing brand arrangements. Collaborations with sportswear companies remain in production, and limited restocks continue to sell through official retail channels.
Museum retrospectives and design books drive sales of licensed prints and exhibition merchandise. Secondary markets keep demand visible and support future collaborations that pass royalties through established agreements.
Gianni Versace
The fashion house continues to release collections that use trademarks and archival motifs overseen by the brand. Fragrance lines and accessories sold through department stores and boutiques deliver significant global revenue.
The archive supports capsule collections and runway reissues that renew interest in signature patterns. Licensing programs for home goods and eyewear add stable royalty streams across regions and seasons.
Karl Lagerfeld
Royalty income comes from namesake fashion and accessories sold in multibrand retailers and branded stores. Eyewear, footwear, and handbags expand category reach and keep the label active in key markets.
Publishing and photography archives support coffee table books and gallery shows. Licensing extends to lifestyle collaborations that include watches and home items, maintaining steady distribution and brand presence.
Alexander McQueen
The house produces seasonal collections and couture under a brand framework that continues after his passing. Fragrances, footwear, and leather goods supply broad retail coverage and repeat purchases.
The archive enables exhibitions that draw large attendance and museum shop sales. Limited edition releases and runway inspired capsules add spikes in demand and create long term catalog value.
James Dean
The estate licenses the image for apparel, posters, and advertising campaigns. Restored releases of ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ and ‘East of Eden’ keep the film work in circulation and support sales of classic cinema collections.
Photographic archives appear in books and fine art prints sold through galleries and online retailers. Brand partnerships use the likeness for heritage themed products, which generate steady royalties across apparel and lifestyle categories.
Steve McQueen
Licensing agreements cover apparel, watches, and motorsport related products that feature his name and signature. High definition releases of ‘Bullitt’ and other films maintain visibility and drive demand for collector editions.
Automotive events and exhibitions showcase memorabilia tied to racing history and film props. Collaborations with motorcycle and automotive brands create premium capsules that sell through specialty channels worldwide.
Paul Walker
Catalog sales for the ‘Fast and Furious’ films continue through streaming and home entertainment. Official charity events and memorabilia releases drive merchandise revenue with licensed apparel and collectibles.
Automotive lifestyle collaborations align with his on screen persona and support die cast models and car accessories. Anniversary campaigns for franchise milestones increase visibility and stimulate renewed product demand.
Audrey Hepburn
The estate licenses her image for beauty, fashion, and home goods with strict brand guidelines. Restored editions of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and ‘Roman Holiday’ sustain interest in classic cinema and bring new viewers through streaming.
Photography collections appear in museum shows and premium books that sell through art retailers. Limited collaborations with major fashion houses deliver capsule lines that generate strong royalties and global press coverage.
Pelé
Global licensing covers apparel, soccer balls, and training gear that carry his name and number. Media partnerships around international tournaments feature archival footage and documentaries that boost merchandise sales.
Appearances in educational programs and youth initiatives keep the brand active year round. Signature product lines and commemorative releases are distributed through clubs, federations, and sports retailers in many countries.
Diego Maradona
The estate licenses the name and likeness for jerseys, footwear, and collectibles linked to club and national team history. Documentaries and anniversary matches keep highlights in rotation and lift demand for official merchandise.
Agreements with apparel companies produce capsule collections that sell through specialty sports shops. Trading cards and signed memorabilia programs continue under authenticated channels, supporting stable royalty income.
Tupac Shakur
Streaming of the catalog and curated posthumous releases drive music revenue across platforms. Official apparel and accessories feature approved artwork and lyrics, with regular drops through licensed partners.
Film and documentary projects expand discovery for new listeners and push catalog tracks into charts. Publishing related to poetry and writings adds to book sales, while museum exhibits and pop ups deliver ticket and merchandise income.
The Notorious B.I.G.
The estate partners with labels on anniversary editions that include remasters and unreleased material. Streaming and synchronization deals place tracks in films, series, and commercials that reach broad audiences.
Licensed apparel and collectibles feature album art and logos sold through major retailers. Collaborations with streetwear brands deliver limited runs that sell quickly and provide recurring royalties.
Avicii
Posthumous releases and tribute albums sustain streaming momentum across global markets. The estate works with partners to manage unfinished recordings and to maintain quality standards for new projects.
Foundation related events and tribute concerts raise visibility and support official merchandise. Licensing for documentaries and performance footage adds income while keeping the music present on broadcast and digital services.
Share your picks for the most surprising earners in the comments so we can compare notes.