Michael Jackson tops Forbes' 2016 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list
Although it's been nine years since his passing, the King of Pop's lucrative empire only continues to grow, as Michael Jackson earns another No. 1 spot, this time on Forbes' 2016 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list.
Sony paid the singer $115 million for a 50/50 partnership for Sony/ATV Publishing after Jackson initially bought the Sony/ATV publishing company for $47 million back in 1985 (the equivalent to $160 million today). Earlier this year, Sony bought Jackson's half for $750 million, giving the pop legend his highest payout to date.
Check out the top ten of Forbes' highest-paid dead celebrities list below:
Cartoonist Charles Schulz -- known best for his iconic Peanuts franchise -- bows in at No. 2 with $48 million. The 2015 Peanuts' reboot The Peanuts Movie pulled in $45 million during it's weekend debut. Golf veteran Arnold Palmer, who passed away just last month, claims the No. 3 spot with $40 million.
Music legends Elvis Presley and Prince close out the top 5, racking in $27 million and $25 million. Prince's Paisley Park recently opened it's doors to the public, and patrons paid anywhere from $38.50 to $100 to tour the recording studio, according to International Business Times.
See photos of Michael Jackson throughout his life:
