For most of us outside of the entertainment industry, it's a little wild to try to fathom the fortune that some of the biggest celebrities have managed to amass during their lives, especially when that number extends well into the millions. And what's even harder to comprehend? The fact that a lot of the world's richest celebrities continue to make money even after they die — in fact, sometimes for decades after they've passed away.
At the end of 2020, Forbes rounded up the dead celebrities who managed to make the most amount of money over the course of the year. Many of them are legends who remain popular for their contributions to pop culture today, like Bob Marley and Marilyn Monroe, while others, like Kobe Bryant, have died more recently.
Read on for all of the wealthiest celebrities who are no longer with us, and what they managed to bring in over the year 2020. Who knows what this list will look like a year from now, but right now, their estates are definitely sitting pretty.
How They Made Their Money
This list is largely made up of celebrities who have easily become household names, so even though they're no longer living, they're still able to make money — sometimes through royalties, through products that use their image, and through new projects using what they created while they were alive.
Michael Jackson
Despite his controversial past, the man who was known as "the king of pop" is still making the big bucks. Thanks to his music catalog and the fact that his songs are still being used everywhere, Michael Jackson made around $48 million in 2020, making him the No. 1 highest paid dead celebrity in 2020.
Dr. Seuss
Prolific children's author Dr. Seuss has come under controversy of his own in 2021, with his publishers choosing to stop production of some of his books that included racist imagery. But in 2020, he was the second most well-paid dead celebrity, despite the fact that he passed away 30 years ago. His estate made $33 million.
Charles Schulz
It's no surprise that the creator of Peanuts — which is still so universally beloved decades later — is still raking in the cash posthumously. Charles Schulz came in right behind Dr. Seuss with a grand total of $32.5 million, partly in thanks to the Peanuts' deal with AppleTV+.
Arnold Palmer
Golf legend Arnold Palmer is fourth on the list, having made $25 million from his branded deals (and let's not forget his popular half-lemonade, half-tea drink). He died in 2016 at 87 years old after battling heart disease, but his legacy lives on.
Elvis Presley
We can't see a time when Elvis Presley won't be a household name, so it definitely makes sense that he's also on this list. Thanks to the fact that Graceland is still a popular tourist spot, he managed to make $23 million in 2020, over 40 years after his death in 1977.
Kobe Bryant
It still stings when we remember that an entire year has passed since Kobe's tragic death in a helicopter crash that took the lives of everyone on board, including his daughter, Gianna. His estate managed to pull in $20 million the first year he was eligible to be included on a list like this.
Juice WRLD
Another shocking (and recent) death was the loss of rapper Juice WRLD at the end of 2019, who died of an overdose at the young age of 21. Thanks to the three albums he was able to release in his career (including Legends Never Die, which came out after his death), he made $15 million.
Bob Marley
As one of the most well-known singers and songwriters of all time, of course Bob Marley is still making bank, even though he died of cancer at age 36 back in 1981. In 2020, he made $14 million, thanks to fans who still stream his songs and buy his merchandise.
John Lennon
It's practically a given that this member of The Beatles made it onto this list. Between his music and his songwriting credits, John Lennon is still making cash after he was killed in 1980 at 40 years old, and he pulled in about $13 million in 2020 alone.
Prince
Prince, another music legend who was gone way too soon, brought in about $10 million in 2020, which was four years after his death of an overdose at 57 years old. Forbes reports that this is likely all due to the fact that his music has continued to sell, including 700,000 units in 2020.
Freddie Mercury
Let's be honest: Queen has always been beloved, but Freddie Mercury's fame became relevant to a whole new generation of people when he was played by Rami Malek in the 2018 movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Thanks to the renewed interest, he made $9 million in 2020.
George Harrison
Add another member of The Beatles to the list! George Harrison ranks 12th on the Forbes' list, with his contribution to music as well as the Cirque du Soleil show that was born in Vegas from his memory. He made $8.5 million in 2020 after dying in 2001 from cancer.
Marilyn Monroe
Between her film career and all of the merchandise that bears her likeness (as well as some of her more memorable quotes), of course Marilyn Monroe is on this list — although in 2020, she ranked last. Still, she made $8 million in 2020, which is definitely nothing to turn our noses up at.
These Stars Will Continue To Make Money for Years
After all, it's their success while they were living that's helped their empires continue to grow posthumously, so it wouldn't be surprising at all if their fortunes continue to get larger and larger. Who knows what their estates will become in the future?!
