Michael Jackson tops list of dead celebs coining it

"King of Pop" Michael Jackson has been named in the list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities for 2019, topping the Forbes list for the seventh time.

Jackson, who died in 2009, earned $60m (about R887m) this year, beating second-placed Elvis Presley, who earned $39m (R577m).

Rapper Nipsey Hussle also made the list of top earners, with $11m (R163m) for the year. 

Jackson's earnings come despite allegations of sexual abuse leveled against him in the popular HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. 

According to Forbes, Jackson’s streaming numbers “surged" to 2.1-billion US spins, up from 1.8-billion a year ago - despite the ongoing scandal.

“With proceeds flowing from his Mijac Music catalogue, a Las Vegas show and a long-term deal with Sony, he retains his post-mortem cash crown for the seventh consecutive year,” reported the publication.

The list looks at the pre-tax income from October 1 2018 to October 1 2019. 

"We compile our numbers with the help of data from Nielsen Music, IMDBPro and interviews with industry insiders. Fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted,” explained the publication.

Here is the full list:

1. Michael Jackson – musician: $60m
2. Elvis Presley – musician: $39m
3. Charles Schultz – cartoonist: $38m
4. Arnold Palmer – golfer: $30m
5. Bob Marley – musician: $20m
6. Dr Seuss – author: $19m
7. John Lennon – musician: $14m
8. Marilyn Monroe – actress: $13m
9. Prince – musician: $12m
10. Nipsey Hussle – musician: $11m
11. XXXTentacion – musician: $10m
12. Whitney Houston –musician: $9.5m
13. George Harrison – musician: $9m