More than 16 years after his death, legend Michael Jackson has once again cemented his legacy as the King of Pop, this time by becoming the highest-earning celebrity of 2024/25. His estate reportedly generated a staggering $600 million, surpassing the earnings of every living star on the planet.
The bulk of the year’s income came from the landmark sale of half of Jackson’s music catalog to Sony for an estimated $1.2 to $1.5 billion. This monumental deal, along with continued revenue from music streaming, licensing agreements and rights to the upcoming biopic “MJ,” propelled the late singer’s financial performance far beyond his contemporaries.
To put the figure in perspective, the King of Pop’s earnings dwarfed those of other top celebrities. Taylor Swift’s record-shattering “Eras Tour” brought in around $400 million, while actor Dwayne Johnson earned $88 million and Tom Cruise made $25 million.
The Michael Jackson estate’s financial success also outpaced other legendary posthumous earners. The estate of Freddie Mercury earned $250 million, while Elvis Presley’s brought in $50 million.
Since his passing in 2009, Jackson’s estate has generated an estimated $3.2 billion, demonstrating the enduring global demand for his music and brand. The steady flow of income highlights how Jackson’s cultural influence and commercial power show no signs of fading.
