Michael Jackson Tops Forbes’ List of Highest-Paid Celebrities for 2024
June 14, 2025 – The entertainment world was astounded as Forbes announced Michael Jackson as the highest-paid celebrity for 2024, earning a staggering $600 million, despite having passed away in 2009. Known as the King of Pop, Jackson’s enduring legacy continues to generate substantial revenue through music, licensing deals, and his biopic, "MJ."
This record income surpassed not only other deceased stars—such as Freddie Mercury with $250 million and Dr. Seuss at $75 million—but also living celebrities. Taylor Swift, celebrating a successful Eras Tour, came in second with earnings of $400 million. Other notables, including Dwayne Johnson and Tom Cruise, earned significantly less, chalking up $88 million and $25 million, respectively.
Michael Jackson’s substantial 2024 earnings highlight his remarkable continued influence in the music industry. Since his death, Jackson has amassed a staggering $3.2 billion from his music and intellectual property, solidifying his position as one of the highest-earning celebrities of all time.
Born in 1958, Jackson rose to fame as part of the Jackson Five in his early teens before launching a solo career that catapulted him to global stardom. With iconic hits like "Thriller," he became the face of pop music by the 1980s. His tragic death due to a drug overdose, administered by his physician, led to widespread mourning, exemplified by a memorial service viewed by over 2.5 billion people.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, Jackson’s unparalleled musical legacy remains a powerful force, proving that even in death, the King of Pop reigns supreme.
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