Jackson Makes Third on Forbes “Deleb” List
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER – Even before the “This Is It” opening, Michael Jackson had earned $90 million in the past year, with most of it coming since his death five months ago.
That sizable sum put him third on the Forbes list of dead celebrities making the most money.
Jackson earned less than the $350 million that fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent scored in the past year, and the $235 million earned by the songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.
Forbes counted money earned from October 2008-October 2009, even for Jackson, who died June 25. But about $72 million — or 80% of the $90 million earned in the past 12 months — came after Jackson’s death, said a spokesperson for GreenLight, a consultancy company that represents “delebs,” their term for dead celebrities still earning money.
Given that the Forbes countdown year starts in October, this makes it look like Michael Jackson will most likely make next year’s list as well, since “This Is It” will still be available for theatre viewing well into next month.