Michael Jackson has topped the Forbes 2013 of top-earning dead celebrities. Michael Jackson has topped the Forbes 2013 of top-earning dead celebrities. Photo: KIMIMASA MAYAMA
    Singer Michael Jackson has been named the top-earning dead celebrity of 2013.
The administrators of the King of Pop's estate have brought in an estimated $US160 million ($A166.30 million) in the past year, according to Forbes magazine, thanks to deals with Cirque du Soleil and recorded music sales.
The Forbes list looks at earning between October 2012 and October 2013, and counts money coming into the estate based on interviews with estate managers, licensors and lawyers.
Actress Elizabeth Taylor with a $100,000 special edition of her White Diamonds fragrance in 1991. Photo: Richard Drew
Jackson beats Elvis Presley, whose daughter Lisa-Marie was once the pop star's wife, and Peanuts cartoonist Charles M Schulz, who comes in third with a $US37 million ($A38.20 million) fortune. A new Peanuts movie is in the works at Fox.
Advertisement
Elizabeth Taylor and reggae star Bob Marley round out the top five. Forbes reports that Taylor's big bucks came from her White Diamonds perfume, which in 2012 brought in $53 million in the US alone, according to Euromonitor International, as well as rights in old movies, and her "smart stock and real estate investments. Taylor's estate ... is at work on several licensing deals. Expect to see Taylor's name on high-end clothing and cosmetics in the near future."
Ironically, Jackson topped the very much alive Madonna on the pop fortune list - the Material Girl singer was named the top earner on the 2013 celebrity 100 list, with $US125 million ($A129.06 million)in earnings.


2013 top-earning dead celebrities
1. Michael Jackson - $US160 million ($A166.30 million)
2. Elvis Presley - $US55 million ($A57.1 million)
3. Charles Schulz - $US37 million ($A38.4 million)
4. Elizabeth Taylor - $US25 million ($A25.9 million)
5. Bob Marley - $US18 million ($A18.7 million)
6. Marilyn Monroe - $US15 million ($A15.5 million)
7. John Lennon - $US12 million ($A12.4 million)
8. Albert Einstein - $US10 million ($A10.3 million)
8. Bettie Page - $US10 million ($A10.3 million)
10. Theodor Geisel - $US9 million ($A9.3 million)
10. Steve McQueen - $US9 million ($A9.3 million)
12. Bruce Lee - $US7 million ($A7.2 million)
12. Jenni Rivera - $US7 million ($A7.2 million)
.
WENN