Top Ten Highest Earning Deceased Celebrities

The business of celebrity deaths is booming, especially with the recent passing of major celebrities including Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Bea Arthur, Ed McMahon, Patrick Swayze, and many others. The public is tuning in for funerals, interviews with friends and family members, and buying magazines, books, movies, and other memorabilia, it's no surprise that these celebrities are still earning money long after their passing.

The following is a list obtained from Forbes, who lists the highest-earning deceased celebrities each year. This is the most current list for the 2008 year:

#1: Elvis Presley - $52 million
Elvis has been dead for over 3 years, but according to Forbes, licensing deals help his income continue to rise from $49 million in 2007 to $52 million in 2008.

#2: Charles M. Schulz - $33 million
Schultz, the creator of the popular Peanuts brand, continues to make money each time the characters are used in advertisements, movies, or books.

#3: Heath Ledger - $20 million
Ledger earns money due to movie royalties, merchandise, etc.

#4: Albert Einstein - $18 million
Believe it or not, this genius earns money due to Baby Einstein DVDs and licensing for use of his name and images. Who knew he was still making so much money?

#5: Aaron Spelling - $15 million
Spelling earns money from syndication and DVD sales, as his many shows continue to remain popular. The generations that grew up watching his shows are now buying them on DVD.

#6: Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) - $12 million
The public is still interested in the stories Dr. Seuss told, and as more of his books are being made into movies, he continues to earn as they are produced.

#7: John Lennon - $9 million
Lennon continues to earn money due to merchandising and royalties from his extensive catalog of music. He will likely remain on the list for 2009, as he earned a large chunk this year for the new Beatles Rock Band video game.

#8: Andy Warhol - $9 million
As Warhol's images are used in advertising, he continues to earn money.

#9: Marilyn Monroe - $6.5 million
Monroe is one of the most iconic women of our time, and advertisers agree! They continue to use her image to sell products, and will unveil a new ad campaign for Mercedes-Benz this fall.

#10: Steve McQueen - $6 million
McQueen, like many of the others listed, continues to earn money as his image is used in new advertisements.

I imagine we'll see quite a few new additions to this list as it is compiled for 2009. Michael Jackson, for example, may even take over the number one spot, leaving earnings each year for his children, family, and charities that will allow them to maintain an income for the years to come. Farah Fawcett may make the list due to royalties that will continue to be earned due to the use of her image, the sales of her books, her documentary regarding her cancer treatment, etc. Ted Kennedy may also appear, as his new book came out during the time of his death.

We continue to mourn these celebrities as they pass on, and by doing so, we're able to remember times in our lives when they became part of our memories. As we do this, they will earn money, due to the need for reliving our past and the good images they bring.