Michael Jackson remains in a league of his own — even in death.
For the 14th year since his passing, the King of Pop has been crowned the highest-paid deceased celebrity, pulling in an estimated $105 million in 2025, according to Forbes. No other late star came close.
Jackson’s estate has now earned over $3.5 billion since his death in 2009, reinforcing his status as not only a cultural titan but also one of the most profitable figures in entertainment history.
ALSO READ: Who Could Replace Tim Cook? Apple’s Future Leadership Becomes Talk of the Tech World as CEO Turns 65
“When it comes to estate earnings, it’s MJ, then an enormous canyon, then everybody else,” an estate attorney told Forbes — a testament to the scale of Jackson’s global influence.
A $600 Million Deal That Reshaped Music Ownership
The bulk of this year’s revenue came from the $600 million sale of a 50% stake in Jackson’s master recordings and publishing catalog to Sony Music in 2024. The agreement also included a revised royalty deal that increased the estate’s share of global profits.
The sale sparked internal disagreements within the Jackson family, with the late star’s mother, Katherine Jackson, arguing that the move went against her son’s wishes. Nevertheless, the deal solidified the value of Jackson’s catalog as one of the greatest in modern music.
A Legacy Built on Bold Business
Jackson’s financial strategy dates back decades.
In 1985, he purchased the ATV Music catalog — which included the majority of The Beatles’ Lennon-McCartney songs — for $47.5 million. That investment later brought in a staggering $750 million (about $1 billion today) when the estate sold its stake in 2016.
His brand continues to expand far beyond recorded music:
- This Is It, the 2009 posthumous concert documentary, grossed $267 million worldwide.
- Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour earned $160 million, becoming the top-grossing live show of 2012.
- Las Vegas’ Michael Jackson ONE surpassed 5,000 performances and remains booked through 2030.
- MJ: The Musical has grossed nearly $300 million globally since its 2022 debut, with multiple international runs ongoing.
The legacy machine is far from slowing down.
A major biopic titled Michael, starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, is set for an April 2026 release — expected to trigger another surge in music sales, streams, and global tributes.
The Competition Isn’t Close
While other late icons — including Prince, Bob Marley, and John Lennon — made this year’s earnings list, collectively deceased musicians still trailed behind Jackson, whose cultural and commercial imprint appears untouchable.
