Michael Jackson secured the top spot on Forbes’ 2025 highest-paid deceased celebrities list earning an estimated $105 million over the past year. The Michael Jackson highest paid deceased celebrity status marks another year of domination with his estate generating an astounding $3.5 billion total since his death in June 2009. Forbes quotes one estate attorney saying when it comes to posthumous earnings it’s MJ then an enormous canyon then everybody else, highlighting the massive gap between Jackson and other late icons.
The Michael Jackson highest paid deceased figures stem largely from his 2024 deal with Sony Music where the estate sold fifty percent of his master recordings and publishing catalog for $600 million. The landmark agreement included renegotiated royalty structures giving the Jackson estate larger shares of global profits from his music. Despite opposition from his mother Katherine Jackson who argued the sale violated her son’s wishes, the deal solidified his catalog value and generated unprecedented posthumous income surpassing all other celebrities living or dead that year.
Beyond catalog sales the Michael Jackson highest paid deceased earnings include revenue from MJ The Musical running on Broadway and internationally with nearly $300 million in total ticket sales. The Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson ONE has maintained its Las Vegas residency since 2013 recently surpassing 5,000 performances with an extension through 2030. His 2009 concert film This Is It grossed $267 million at global box offices while licensing deals with brands and streaming platforms continue generating millions annually.
The Michael Jackson highest paid deceased achievement on Forbes’ 25th anniversary list puts him ahead of Dr Seuss who earned $85 million in second place and Pink Floyd members Richard Wright and Syd Barrett who tied at $81 million each. The Notorious B.I.G debuted on the rankings with $80 million after major catalog rights sales while jazz legend Miles Davis earned $21 million in his first appearance. With an upcoming biopic Michael starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson set for April 2026, the King of Pop’s financial dominance shows no signs of slowing.
