Forbes has unveiled its annual list of the Top-Earning Dead Celebrities and it came down to two Kings. Once again, King of Pop Michael Jackson took the top spot, earning a massive $170 million this year even as the circumstances of his 2009 death are still examined in court. In fact, Jackson’s posthumous income made him 2011′s second-highest earning act – dead or alive – after U2. Jackson blew away his closest deceased competitor, King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley, by more than $100 million. The newest addition to the list was Elizabeth Taylor (No. 5), who has earned $12 million since her March passing – and that’s before her highly anticipated Christie’s estate sale this December. The Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list by Forbes takes into account any deceased famous figure who has earned at least $6 million between October 2010 and October 2011. This year’s list:
| Celebrity | Earnings | Died |
| 1. Michael Jackson | $170 million | June 25, 2009 |
| 2. Elvis Presley | $55 million | August 16, 1977 |
| 3. Marilyn Monroe | $27 million | August 5, 1962 |
| 4. Charles Schulz | $25 million | February 12, 2000 |
| 5. (Tie) John Lennon | $12 million | December 8, 1980 |
| 5. (Tie) Elizabeth Taylor | $12 million | March 23, 2011 |
| 7. Albert Einstein | $10 million | April 18, 1955 |
| 8. Theodor “Dr. Suess” Geisel | $9 million | September 24, 1991 |
| 9. (Tie) Jimi Hendrix | $7 million | September 18, 1970 |
| 9. (Tie) Author Stieg Larsson | $7 million | November 9, 2004 |
| 9. (Tie) Steve McQueen | $7 million | November 30, 1980 |
| 9. (Tie) Composer Richard Rodgers | $7 million | December 30, 1979 |
| 13. (Tie) George Harrison | $6 million | November 29, 2001 |
| 13. (Tie) Bettie Page | $6 million | December 11, 2008 |
| 13. (Tie) Andy Warhol | $6 million | February 22, 1987 |
