Many celebrities remain profitable even after their deaths. And not just because some of their possessions reach record numbers at auction, like Steve Jobs’ old sandals, but because their heirs continue to profit from them. As posted Forbesin 2022 the famous deceased achieved a record number of earnings, reaching $1.6 billion72% more than in 2021. For the first time since the publication began compiling this peculiar ranking, the top five earned more than $100 million each.
Which celebrities are more profitable after their death? At number 1 on the list there is JRRTolkien, the author of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”. He won the famous author and university professor, who died in 1973 500 million dollars selling Middle-Earth Enterprises (formerly known as Tolkien Enterprises) to Swedish company Embracer last August. This company owns the intellectual property rights to movies, video games and other products.
Next on the list is the basketball player Kobe Bryant who would have won, according to Forbes, 400 million dollars. These earnings of the unfortunate athlete who died in an accident with his daughter in 2020 come from the sale of his stake in the sports drink company BodyArmor to Coca-Cola, which would have paid $5.6 billion. One of his old NBA jerseys also fetched a record auction price: $3 million.
The third place is occupied by the singer AndBowie videosdied in 2016 and that he would earn a total of 250 million dollarsStthanks to the sale of the publishing catalog and the masters to Warner Chappel.
Fourth place goes to the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley. 45 years have passed since the death of the singer, but his earnings are still millions, generating 110 million dollarsS. For the biopic, starring Austin Butler, he took $ 5 million for the royalties (a figure that could increase over time). In addition, the singer’s Memphis home, Graceland, was also a good source of income.
Fifth place is occupied by another singer, jAmes Brown, who died in 2006 and won in 2022, 100 million dollars. behind the mythical Michael Jacksonwith 75 million dollars. The king of pop’s musical rights continue to generate huge profits, to which must be added a new musical on Broadway.
Another singer is in seventh place, Leonardo Coen, with 55 million dollars. Following the American writer, author of ‘The Cat in the Hat’ or ‘The Grinch’, Doctor Seuss. The leader and co-founder of the rock group Toto, Jeff Porcaro He earned 25 million dollars thanks to the musical rights for his numerous collaborations with artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney or Michael Jackson himself.
In 10th place, the famous author of Snoopy, Carl Schultz. Died in 2000, he made $24 million off the adventures of Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. The list is closed john gabrielwith 23 million dollars, jOh Lennonwith 16 million dollars and George Harrisonwith 12 million dollars.
