Forbes released its list of the top-earning dead celebrities this week, and Michael Jackson took the No. 1 spot.


The late pop star made $160 million in the past year, more than two years after his death. Jackson's total makes him the top-earning celebrity overall, beating out Madonna, who brought in the most money for any living celebrity with $125 million in the past year.


A large part of Jackson's posthumous earnings come from the Cirque du Soleil tribute show, "One," which was created in his honor. Jackson's estate also earns money for his music catalogue, music sales, and Cirque's Michael Jackson Immortal tour.


Jackson is followed on the list by Elvis at $55 million, Charles M. Schulz at $37 million, Elizabeth Taylor at $25 million, and Bob Marley at $18 million.


For the rest of the list, and to see how celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, and John Lennon stack up, head over to Forbes.




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  • 5. Dr. Dre


    Estimated earnings: $110 million
    Notable project: Beats by Dr. Dre headphones




  • 4. Jerry Bruckheimer


    Estimated earnings: $115 million
    Notable project: Director, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"




  • 3. Steven Spielberg


    Estimated earnings: $130 million
    Notable project: Co-founder of DreamWorks




  • 2. Michael Bay


    Estimated earnings: $160 million
    Notable project: Director, <em>Transformers: Dark of the Moon</em>




  • 1. Oprah Winfrey


    Estimated earnings: $165 million
    Notable Project: Producer behind "The Dr. Oz Show," "Dr. Phil" and "Rachael Ray"