Michael Jackson the top-earning dead celebrity Madonna's income has been eclipsed by Michael Jackson's despite the fact he is no longer living. Picture: Supplied Source: AFP MADONNA may have earned $125 million last year, making her the world's top earning celeb, but Michael Jackson has easily topped her pay packet from the graveyard. MJ has topped Forbes list of "top-earning dead celebs" this year, raking in $160 million over the past year between June 2012 and June 2013. It's the third time in the past five years that the top-earning celebrity in the world has been deceased. Much of Jackson's money comes from two Cirque du Soleil shows. Immortal, a touring show, has grossed over $300 million since opening last year. One, which opened at the Mandalay Bay in May, is routinely sold out. Both shows feature the usual Cirque du Soleil acrobatics but One comes with a bonus: a hologram-like illusion of Jackson performs "Man in the Mirror" at the end of the show. The King of Pop also still earns from his music and his half of the Sony/ATV catalogue, which includes hits by The Beatles, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift among others. Jackson reclaims the No. 1 spot on our list from his friend Elizabeth Taylor. The movie star, who passed away in 2011, earned an estimated $210 million in the 12 months to October 2012 thanks to a series of lucrative auctions at Christie's of Taylor's art, jewels and clothes. This year her earnings dropped to an estimated $25 million, landing her in fourth place. Over the past 12 months, the star's estate earned big bucks from her White Diamonds perfume, which in 2012 brought in $53 million in retail in the US alone, according to Euromonitor International, her rights in old movies and her smart stock and real estate investments. Taylor's estate, now represented by Hollywood talent agency UTA, is at work on several licensing deals. Expect to see Taylor's name on high-end clothing and cosmetics in the near future. Our list looks at earnings between October 2012 and October 2013. We count money coming into the estate and we don't deduct for how the estate handles it. To come up with our estimates we talk to estate managers, licensors and lawyers involved in the dead celebrity business. Ranking second on our list is Elvis Presley with an estimated $55 million in posthumous earnings. The King of Rock n' Roll may have taken a back seat to the King of Pop, but his estate is still earning steadily thanks to his eternally popular image and his famous home, Graceland. That was enough to convince billionaire Leon Black and his firm, Apollo Global Management, to buy CKX, the parent company of American Idol and the estates of both Elvis and Muhammad Ali, for $509 million in 2011. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz ranks third for the second year in a row with $37 million. The Peanuts are still big but Iconix, which now runs the Peanuts license, thinks they could be even bigger. A new movie, starring the whole gang, is in the works at Fox. Rounding out our top five is Bob Marley with $18 million. The iconic reggae singer might find it strange that his name has become part of a capitalist enterprise. There are Bob Marley speakers and messenger bags as well as a line of Bob Marley drinks that come in "mellow mood" and "one drop" (A.K.A. coffee). New to our list this year is Jenni Rivera. The Mexican-American singer perished in a plane crash last December; since then, she has sold over 880,000 records, nearly as many she did in her life. Her post-mortem earnings are boosted by the reality show I Love Jenni, which reached an audience of 5.5 million in its third and final season, and her autobiography Unbreakable: My Story, My Way, which has moved over 400,000 copies since its release in July. Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson $160 million Singer Died: June 25, 2009 Age: 50 Cause: Overdose/homicide The King of Pop reclaims his post-mortem cash crown after ceding it last year to pal Elizabeth Taylor. He earned the bulk of his bucks from two Cirque du Soleil shows, his Mijac Music catalogue, recorded music sales and his half of the Sony/ATV publishing empire - which includes the copyright to hits by the Beatles, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Taylor Swift, among others. The King still earned $55 million in the past financial year. Elvis Presley $55 million Singer, actor Died: August 16, 1977 Age: 42 Cause: Heart attack The King of Rock n' Roll may have taken a back seat to the King of Pop, but he's still earning steadily thanks to his eternally popular image and his famous home, Graceland. Charles M Schulz Source: Supplied Charles M Schulz $37 million Cartoonist Died: February 12, 2000 Age: 77 Cause: Colon cancer Born in 1922, Charles Schulz's tender-hearted Peanuts comic-strip reached tens of millions of readers daily in 75 different countries through 21 languages when it ended in 2000. Schulz wove many moments of his own life into his storylines - a rejected marriage proposal led to Charlie Brown's long-lasting but fruitless pursuit of the Little Red-Haired Girl. His wide cast of characters included Charlie Brown's little sister Sally; his wise, if peculiar, friend Linus; the bullying Lucy; and his dog, Snoopy. In all, those characters appeared in more than 1,800 strips, the last one appearing just hours after Schulz died. Elizabeth Taylor, pictured here in 2007. Elizabeth Taylor $25 million Actress Died: March 23, 2011 Age: 79 Cause: Heart failure Taylor's earnings were $185 million higher last year because of a series of extremely successful auctions at Christie's of the star's jewellery and art. Taylor, who embodies old-school Hollywood glamour, still earns from her fragrance, White Diamonds, which brought in $35 million in the U.S. alone in 2012, and smart investments in stock and real estate. Expect to see more licensing deals soon on things like high-end fashion and cosmetics. Reggae legend Bob Marley. Bob Marley $18 million Died: May 11, 1981 Age: 36 Cause: Cancer The iconic reggae star wasn't known for his capitalist tendencies while alive, but in death he's becoming quite the diversified businessman. Recent ventures include the Marley Beverage company (home to the "relaxation drink" known as Marley's Mellow Mood) and House of Marley (producer of eco-friendly audio and lifestyle products). Marley has sold more than 75 million albums in the past two decades. Marilyn Monroe is the new face of Chanel No.5. Marilyn Monroe $15 million Died: August 5, 1962 Cause: Overdose Ask anyone in the dead celebrities business which estate is making the biggest gains and they'll tell you Marilyn Monroe. Now run by Authentic Brand Group, Monroe recently appeared in an ad campaign for Sexy Hair and Macy's is selling a line of Monroe clothes. Marilyn Monroe cafes and span are popping up around the country and Monroe is the new face of Chanel No. John Lennon still makes $12 million per year. John Lennon $12 million Died: December 8, 1980 Age: 40 Cause: Murder Imagine all the profits! The legendary singer continues to share in the Beatles' spoils - over 63 million albums sold in the U.S. alone since 1992 - both as a performer and a songwriter. Other ventures, like the Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show Love! in Las Vegas, continue to fill his coffers. Who knew Albert Einstein was still worth so much? Albert Einstein $10 million Scientist Died: April 18, 1955 Age: 76 Cause: Natural causes Einstein owns the idea of "smart" and thanks to shows like The Big Bang Theory, smart is hotter than ever. Montblanc put out a limited edition Einstein pen this year which sold for $3,000. Expect to soon see Einstein's name on scientific instruments and tablet computers. He'll also front a line of smart food. Bettie Page died in 2008. Bettie Page Died: December 11, 2008 Age: 85 Few celebrities defined a look as much as Bettie Page did. With her severe bangs and low cut tops she was the ultimate pin-up girl. Now her fans can emulate her style through a line of Bettie Page boutiques in locations like New York City, Las Vegas and even Portland. Geisel is the author of Dr Seuss. Theodor Geisel $9 million Author Died: September, 24, 1991 Age: 87 Dr. Seuss' books have taught several generations how to read. Now he is becoming one of Hollywood's go-to guys for children's movies. The film version of his beloved tale of The Lorax brought in $349 million in 2012. New versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat are in the works. Steve McQueen died 33 years ago. Steve McQueen Actor Died: November 30, 1980 Cause: Complication from surgery If Einstein embodies "smart," McQueen embodies "cool." The actor had relationships with Tag Heuer and Persol in life that have lasted past his death. He's now also partnered with Lucky Jeans. The movie Rush, about F1 racers, hasn't been a big enough hit to ignite a racing resurgence in this country that could have boosted McQueen to a new level. Lee is still appearing in movies. Bruce Lee $7 million Martial artist/actor Died: July 20, 1973 Age: 32 Cause: Cerebral oedema For years people have been talking about a dead celebrity starring in a new movie or TV show using cutting-edge technology. It now looks like we're one step closer to that becoming a reality. Lee appears on a balcony in Hong Kong in a new short film for Johnny Walker's "Keep Walking" campaign. Jenni Rivera. Jenni Rivera Died: December 9, 2012 Age: 43 Cause: Plane crash The Mexican-American singer perished in a plane crash last December; since then, she has sold over 880,000 records, nearly as many as she did in her life. Her post-mortem earnings are boosted by reality show I Love Jenni, which reached an audience of 5.5 million in its third and final season, and an autobiography Unbreakable: My Story, My Way, which has moved over 400,000 copies since its release in July. This story originally appeared on Forbes.com