MICHAEL JACKSON, WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2009, HAS BECOME THE HIGHEST-PAID CELEBRITY OF 2024, EARNING $600 MILLION, MORE THAN ANY LIVING STAR
While international celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Tom Cruise, and Taylor Swift made headlines last year, a pop hero who died 16 years ago made more money than all of them together. The highest-paid celebrity of 2024 was once again Michael Jackson, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. Forbes reports that Jackson earned an incredible $600 million in 2024, more than the majority of other celebrities, living or dead.
Jackson was far ahead of even the year's best performers because of this astounding number. Taylor Swift made $400 million from her 2024 Eras Tour, which made her one of the biggest performers in the world. Shah Rukh Khan, Dwayne Johnson, and Tom Cruise came next with $20 million, $25 million, and $88 million, respectively. Jackson held a commanding lead even among superstars who had passed away. Freddie Mercury took home $250 million, followed by Dr. Seuss ($75 million) and Elvis Presley ($50 million).
The sale of the rights to Jackson's impending musical biopic, MJ, is the main source of his enormous 2024 earnings. Revenue from music streaming and licensing deals also made a substantial contribution. For the King of Pop, this is hardly a novel trend. Due to the steady worldwide interest in Jackson's music and associated properties, his estate has brought in an estimated $3.2 billion since his passing.
Before starting a solo career in his late teens, he began his career early as a member of the Jackson Five. He was a worldwide sensation by the 1980s, releasing hits such as "Thriller," which remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. Jackson remained highly liked far into the 1990s. The world was rocked by his untimely death from a propofol overdose. Over 2.5 billion people worldwide watched his memorial at the Staples Centre.
Michael Jackson's impact on the entertainment industry is still unparalleled, even after 16 years. In addition to evoking nostalgia, his name still has enormous economic significance. The late artist's brand is still strong, whether it be through continued music streams, biopics, or new licensing deals. Jackson's posthumous empire is still among the most profitable in contemporary entertainment history, despite continuous legal fights and estate issues.