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Despite passing away in 1981, reggae icon Bob Marley continues to be one of the world’s highest-earning deceased celebrities, raking in $13 million this year, according to Forbes.
This year Marley ranks No. 9, down from 7 last year when his estate generated USD $30 million between October 31, 2023, and September 30, 2024 largely do to the release of the Bob Marley: One Love box office hit film.
In June, Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas launched Bob Marley Hope Road, a stage production featuring 29 live shows per week, which is projected to generate millions for Marley’s estate over the coming years. The project is a collaboration with Primary Wave, which acquired a portion of Marley’s publishing catalog in 2018.
While the majority of Marley’s masters remain under Universal Music Group, his estate has built a global business empire from licensing his name, image, and likeness. The Marley brand spans an impressive range of products including audio equipment, coffee, fragrances, pillows, tote bags, posters, and cannabis.
The Notorious B.I.GElsewhere in the rankings, nearly thirty years after his tragic murder in 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. — born Christopher Wallace — generates immense revenue, with his estate pulling in $80 million this year, according to Forbes. Biggie was not on the list last year.
The Brooklyn rapper of Jamaican descent who died at age 24 ranks No. 5 of Forbes’ list of Highest Paid Dead Celebrities list. The estate makes most of their money from merchandise and music as Biggie’s lasting influence on global hip-hop culture continues.
The late rapper’s estate recently finalized a major deal selling 50% of his catalog, publishing, and NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights to Primary Wave Music in March — a move that significantly boosted the estate’s valuation.
The transaction was completed shortly before the passing of Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, who had long managed her son’s legacy. Under her stewardship, the estate released two posthumous albums and inspired the acclaimed 2009 biopic “Notorious.”
Michael Jackson remains at No. 1, but his estate’s earnings dropped sharply from $600 million in 2024—fueled by the one-time $600 million Sony catalog sale—to $105 million in 2025, as ongoing revenue from Broadway’s MJ: The Musical and Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE kept the brand alive. The King of Pop still leads a list dominated by musicians, but a number of major changes reshaped this year’s ranking.
In additional to Big Smalls, several new faces entered the 2025 lineup. Pink Floyd co-founders Richard Wright and Syd Barrett each earned $81 million following the band’s $400 million catalog sale to Sony, while Jazz icon Miles Davis returned to the spotlight at No. 6 as Reservoir Media acquired 90 percent of his estate, coinciding with the announcement of a centennial concert series and biopic. Rounding out the newcomers, Jimmy Buffett entered at No. 8 thanks to his billion-dollar Margaritaville empire spanning hotels, apparel, cruises, and retirement communities.
In contrast, several 2024 stars disappeared from this year’s list after one-off windfalls faded. Freddie Mercury, who earned $250 million in 2024 from Queen’s $1 billion catalog sale, dropped out entirely once that deal closed. Ric Ocasek of The Cars, who made $45 million from a Primary Wave acquisition, also fell off. Other 2024 earners including Whitney Houston, Charles M. Schulz, Matthew Perry, and James Brown exited the rankings as their estates recorded smaller ongoing revenues in 2025.
Some icons managed to hold their ground. Dr. Seuss rose from No. 3 to No. 2 with 4.8 million books sold and new partnerships with Netflix and Warner Bros. Elvis Presley, despite Graceland fraud controversies, remained among the top ten though his earnings slipped from $50 million to $17 million. Bob Marley continued to profit from global licensing and the new Hope Road Las Vegas show, earning $13 million and ranking No. 9. John Lennon stayed steady at No. 10 with new documentary exposure, while Prince’s legal disputes weighed down his earnings, pushing him to No. 11. Arnold Palmer remained consistent at No. 12 with royalties from his AriZona beverage partnership, and Kobe Bryantreappeared at No. 13 as Nike’s “Black Mamba” sneaker line quadrupled in sales.
Overall, total earnings across the list dropped from roughly $1.2 billion in 2024 to $541 million in 2025, reflecting fewer blockbuster catalog sales and a steadier stream of legacy brand revenues.
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