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Michael Jackson top-earning dead celebrity: report

Michael Jackson’s sudden death sparked* an outpouring* of grief around the world, but fans also opened their wallets to make him this year’s top-earning dead celebrity with US$275 million, Forbes said on Monday.

Jackson raked in* more than the combined total of the other 12 celebrities on the list, Forbes magazine said. He was ranked third on last year’s list with US$90 million.

“Jackson’s spot atop our top earning dead celebrities list should come as no surprise given the renewed fan interest in music, videos and all things about Michael Jackson,” said Forbes writer Lacey Rose.

Jackson was 50 when he died in his Los Angeles home on June 25 last year, shortly before a planned series of comeback* concerts in London. The singer left behind three children and a debt of US$500 million.

But his estate has generated millions since his death, mostly through record sales, the “This Is It” concert movie, licensing rights, deals to release new albums and a Cirque du Soleil stage show in Las Vegas.

“Thanks to a lucrative catalog, hit film and album sales, the late king of pop earned more in the past year than Lady Gaga, Madonna and Jay-Z, combined,” said Rose.

Elvis Presley came in second, earning US$60 million.

“The Lord of the Rings” author J.R.R. Tolkien, whose trilogy* of novels was made into films by director Peter Jackson, came in at No. 3 on the Forbes list with earnings of US$50 million, while Charles Schulz, the creator of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, came in fourth with US$33 million.

Former Beatle John Lennon, who would have turned 70 this year, was ranked No. 5 with income of US$17 million.

(SD-Agencies)