Elvis Presley has been named the top earning dead celebrity of 2007.
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The king of rock’n’roll earned USD49 million in royalties between October 2006 and October 2007 placing him at the top of this year’s Forbes.com 13 richest deceased stars.
Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain made his debut in the list last year at number one, knocking Elvis from his top spot for the first time ever, but this year he failed to be placed at all.
Last year, Cobain’s widow Courtney Love sold his song rights, boosting his annual earnings to a phenomenal USD50 million.
Elvis’ earnings have continued to rise since he first topped the list in 2001 with USD35 million. In 2006 he earned USD44 million.
Beatles legend John Lennon was second this year with earnings of USD44 million, while Snoopy cartoonist Charles M. Schulz was placed third with USD35 million.
Steve McQueen was a new addition to the list this year, earning USD6 million.
James Brown, who died on 25 December last year, also made his first appearance on the list earning USD5 million since his death.
Ray Charles, Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien and country star Johnny Cash all failed to make the list this year.
Forbes.com’s Top-Earning Dead Celebrities 2007:
1. Elvis Presley – USD49 million
2. John Lennon – USD44 million
3. Charles M. Schulz – USD35 million
4. George Harrison – USD22 million
5. Albert Einstein – USD18 million
6. Andy Warhol – USD15 million
7. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) – USD13 million
8. Tupac Shakur – USD9 million
9. Marilyn Monroe – USD7 million
10. Steve McQueen – USD6 million
11. James Brown – USD5 million
12. Bob Marley – USD4 million
13. James Dean – USD3.5 million
