More than sixteen years after his passing, Michael Jackson has once again proven that legends never die. Forbes has officially named the “King of Pop” the highest-paid deceased celebrity of 2025, with an estimated pre-tax earning of $105 million between June 2024 and June 2025. The annual list, compiled at Forbes’ New York offices, analyzes public records, estate filings, licensing deals, and catalog valuations. Jackson, who passed away in 2009, continues to generate staggering revenue through music sales, streaming royalties, live shows, and brand licensing, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential and profitable artists of all time.
The key driver behind Jackson’s latest financial triumph lies in the enduring power of his music catalog and brand. In 2024, Sony Music purchased a major stake in his publishing and recording rights, valuing his catalog at over $1.2 billion, one of the largest deals in music history. Beyond that, his Las Vegas residency show, Michael Jackson ONE, and worldwide tribute tours keep his artistry alive on stage. Streaming remains another vital revenue source, with classics like Thriller, Billie Jean, and Beat It racking up billions of plays across platforms. Even fashion and lifestyle brands continue to license his image; the gloved hand, the fedora, the moonwalk ensuring that the Michael Jackson brand remains as iconic as ever.
Jackson’s estate is one of the most meticulously managed in entertainment history. Apart from the catalog sale, it includes ownership stakes in intellectual properties once tied to the Beatles’ ATV Music catalog, which Jackson originally purchased in the 1980s and later merged with Sony. His former residence, Neverland Ranch, though sold in 2020, continues to hold nostalgic and branding value. Combined with trademark rights to his likeness and merchandise, these assets have helped his estate generate over $3.5 billion in total posthumous revenue since his death.
The fascination surrounding Michael Jackson transcends generations. His 1982 album Thriller remains the world’s best-selling album and continues to see strong reissue and vinyl sales. Each year, millions of fans commemorate his birthday and the anniversary of his passing with dance challenges, flash mobs, and streaming marathons, proof that his global fan base remains as passionate as ever. Jackson’s ability to inspire new audiences, from Gen Z TikTok users to lifelong fans of pop and R&B, reflects his unique cross-generational appeal.
Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles, at age 50, was ruled a homicide caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. The news shocked the world, triggering a surge in sales of his albums and memorabilia. His funeral drew millions of viewers worldwide, marking one of the most emotional global moments in entertainment history. In the years since, his estate has carefully balanced preserving his artistic legacy with navigating public scrutiny, ensuring that his contributions to music and dance remain at the forefront of his story.
Forbes’ 2025 list underlines a broader cultural and commercial trend: deceased celebrities are continuing to generate massive income through catalog sales, streaming, and digital licensing. Jackson stands far ahead of other late icons such as Elvis Presley and Dr. Seuss, reinforcing his dominance as both an artist and a brand. His estate’s financial success offers a model for how careful management, strategic licensing, and global digital distribution can keep an artist’s influence alive long after death.
Michael Jackson’s reign over Forbes’ 2025 list is not just a testament to his business acumen and artistic genius; it’s a reminder that cultural icons, when built on innovation and timeless creativity, never truly fade away. As new generations discover his groundbreaking music videos, choreography, and genre-defining albums, the King of Pop continues to dance his way through history earning, not only admiration but unmatched posthumous success.
