Forbes 2025: Top-Earning Dead Celebrities

Twenty-five years after Forbes' first list of highest-paid dead celebrities, the earning power of some stars doesn't seem to wane.

Musicians, writers, athletes, and artists continue to generate huge revenues through royalties, licensing, and strategic agreements that turn their names into investment assets.

The 13 highest-paid dead celebrities of 2025 collectively earned over $541 million in one year.