The King of Pop may be gone, but his fortune continues to moonwalk to the bank. Michael Jackson has once again topped Forbes’ 2025 list of Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities, released to mark 25 years since the publication began tracking posthumous earnings.
According to Forbes, Jackson’s estate raked in an astonishing approximately KSh13.55 billion ($105 million) over the past year alone.
Since his death in 2009, the Thriller singer’s estate has generated a jaw-dropping KSh452 billion ($3.5 billion), making his legacy as not only a cultural icon but also a financial powerhouse in death as in life.
The late pop legend continues to outshine other departed greats, including Dr. Seuss, who holds third place, and former Pink Floyd members Richard Wright and Syd Barrett, who tied with an estimated $81 million each.
Rap icon The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace, followed closely with $80 million, thanks in part to renewed demand for his music and the sale of 50% of his publishing catalogue and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights earlier this year.
Also featured on the list are timeless legends such as Prince, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, whose music and influence continue to earn millions decades after their passing.
Meanwhile, Queen’s Freddie Mercury has reclaimed his throne among rock’s elite, returning to the list for the first time since 2020.
Mercury’s estate reportedly banked $250 million (KSh32 billion) following Sony’s billion-dollar purchase of Queen’s music catalogue in June 2024. Proceeds from the deal were split between Mercury’s estate and surviving band members Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon.
In August American rapper, entrepreneur, and music mogul Jay-Z was crowned the richest musician in the world, according to the Forbes Billionaire List 2025.
The rapper’s net worth has been estimated at a staggering KSh 325 billion ($2.5 billion), cementing his status as not just a hip-hop legend but also one of the most successful business figures in global entertainment.
The list, released earlier this week, places Jay-Z ahead of global superstars Taylor Swift (KSh 204 billion / $1.6 billion), Rihanna (KSh 179 billion / $1.4 billion), and Bruce Springsteen.