Michael Jackson, Notorious B.I.G., and Kobe Bryant Among Forbes’ Highest-Earning Dead Celebrities
Six of the 13 celebrities on Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s “highest-earning dead celebrities” are Black men, a testament to their enduring cultural and financial influence.
Michael Jackson once again reigns supreme, claiming the top spot for the 13th time since 2010. His estate has generated an estimated $3.5 billion since his death in 2009. The King of Pop’s posthumous projects — including the 2009 film This Is It, which grossed $267 million, the Cirque du Soleil tour that earned $160 million, and Broadway’s MJ: The Musical, which has brought in over $300 million — continue to cement his legacy as one of the most profitable entertainers in history.
Jackson’s catalog sales have also contributed heavily to his estate’s fortune. In 2016, Sony purchased his ATV publishing catalog for $750 million, and in 2024, the company acquired a 50% stake in his publishing rights and master recordings for $600 million.
Following Jackson on the list are The Notorious B.I.G. (#5), Miles Davis (#6), Bob Marley (#9), Prince (#11), and Kobe Bryant (#13).
Biggie Smalls, murdered at age 24, remains the youngest on the list. Jazz legend Miles Davis, who died at 65, is the oldest among the Black artists ranked. Bob Marley, who succumbed to cancer at 36, and Prince, who passed away at 57, continue to generate millions through music rights, streaming, and branded ventures.
Kobe Bryant’s inclusion highlights his continued commercial influence nearly five years after his death in a 2020 helicopter crash that also killed his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others.
Forbes reports Nike’s Kobe Bryant footwear line quadrupled its revenue over the past year. A 2022 deal between Nike and the Bryant estate expanded to include both Kobe and Gigi’s products, with proceeds from Gigi’s collection benefiting the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Other notable names rounding out the Forbes ranking include Elvis Presley, Dr. Seuss, Jimmy Buffett, Pink Floyd cofounders Richard Wright and Syd Barrett, John Lennon, and golfer Arnold Palmer. Dr. Seuss and Palmer were the oldest on the list, both passing away at age 87.
