Dead for 16 years, still earning hundreds of millions: This celebrity is richer than world's biggest stars

Time of India

14-06-2025

How Jackson's Earnings Continue After Death
Behind the Legal Tangles of the Estate
The King of Pop's Ongoing Influence
Last year when global stars like Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, and Shah Rukh Khan dominated headlines, it was a pop icon who passed away 16 years ago that topped them all in earnings. Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, emerged once again as the highest-paid celebrity of 2024. According to Forbes, Jackson brought in an astounding $600 million in 2024 — more than most other living or deceased celebrity.This staggering figure pushed Jackson far ahead of even the top-performing stars of the year. Taylor Swift, one of the biggest global performers thanks to her massive Eras Tour in 2024, earned $400 million. Dwayne Johnson, Tom Cruise, and Shah Rukh Khan followed with $88 million, $25 million, and $20 million respectively. Even among deceased celebrities, Jackson maintained a comfortable lead. Freddie Mercury earned $250 million, while Dr. Seuss and Elvis Presley followed with $75 million and $50 million.Jackson's massive 2024 earnings stem primarily from the sale of rights to his upcoming musical biopic, MJ. Alongside that, revenue from music streaming and licensing agreements also contributed significantly. This is not a new trend for the King of Pop. Since his death, Jackson's estate has generated an estimated $3.2 billion, driven by consistent global interest in his music and related properties.His career began early as a member of the Jackson Five before launching a solo career in his late teens. By the 1980s, he was a global phenomenon, delivering blockbuster albums like Thriller, which remains among the best-selling albums of all time. Jackson's popularity continued well into the 1990s. His unexpected death due to a propofol overdose brought shockwaves across the world. His memorial at the Staples Center was viewed by over 2.5 billion people globally.While his legacy thrives, Jackson's estate continues to navigate a complex legal landscape. Although his will instructed that his estate be transferred to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, tax disputes with the IRS — reportedly involving $700 million — delayed the process. As a result, the trust remains unfunded more than 15 years after his passing.The estate has been managed by co-executors John Branca and John McClain. Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, receives a life allowance from a subtrust but has legally challenged several decisions made by the estate, including the recent multi-billion-dollar music catalog deal with Sony. Initially opposed by Jackson's children as well, the deal was eventually approved by a probate judge. While the children accepted the court's ruling, Katherine filed an appeal — a move that led to a legal standoff between her and Michael's youngest son, Bigi.Bigi's legal team argued that continuing the appeal was futile and a misuse of estate funds. The appeals court eventually upheld the probate court's decision, allowing the deal with Sony — reportedly valued between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion — to proceed.Even after 16 years, Michael Jackson's influence remains unmatched in the entertainment world. His name continues to generate not just nostalgia but monumental financial value. Whether through new licensing agreements, biopics, or ongoing music streams, the late artist's brand shows no signs of fading. Despite ongoing legal battles and estate disputes, Jackson's posthumous empire remains one of the most lucrative in modern entertainment history.