Elizabeth Taylor Made more Money than Michael Jackson This Year

It is hard to believe, but Elizabeth Taylor has now surpassed Michael Jackson, at least for this year, on Forbes annual list of top-earning dead celebrities.

Since the legendary actress’s March 2011 death
at age 79 due to heart failure, much of the income her estate has
generated has been largely due to Christie’s record-setting auction last
year of Taylor’s jewelry and art, which netted $184 million.
One of the biggest items sold was a Van Gogh painting Liz owned that
went for $24.6 million, along with various movie memorabilia. Another
big revenue generator was Taylor’s White Diamonds perfume.

Jackson, who died
in June 2009 at the age of 50, slipped to second place, but his estate
continues to rake in more money than any other artist, much of that
thanks to his 50 percent ownership in the Sony/ATV publishing catalog,
along with licensing his own music and his Cirque du Soleil show, The Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour.

The King may have left the building, but Elvis Presley is still a cash cow, taking third place with $55 million courtesy of Graceland’s increased attendance.

Read more  at  E!

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