Forbes: Michael Jackson top earning dead celebrity with $75M

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Pop icon Michael Jackson is shown in this March 5, 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Pop icon Michael Jackson is shown in this March 5, 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

New York (AP) – Michael Jackson died eight years ago, but he’s still generating millions of dollars.

Jackson is atop the Forbes list of top-earning dead celebrities for the fifth straight year, with $75 million.  Forbes says Jackson’s earnings are boosted by a new greatest hits album, a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show and a stake in the EMI music publishing catalog.

Two other singers join Jackson in the top five. Elvis Presley comes in fourth with $35 million and Bob Marley ranks fifth with $23 million.

Golf legend Arnold Palmer is the second-highest earner.  He brought in $40 million in part through sales of Arizona lemonade and ice tea beverage made in his name.

Palmer is followed by Charles Schulz, the creator of the “Peanuts” franchise whose estate made $38 million.