2012 Top Earning Dead Celebrities

(Reuters) – Elizabeth Taylor surpassed Michael Jackson as the highest-earning dead celebrity in the past year, with her estate pulling in $210 million, much of it from the auction of her jewels, costumes and artwork, according to Forbes.

Jackson, who died in 2009, dropped into second place with earnings of $145 million, followed by Elvis Presley with $55 million.

Cartoonist Charles Schulz, who created the Peanuts comic strip, came in at No. 4 with earnings of $37 million, followed by reggae star Bob Marley with $17 million.

Forbes compiled the ranking by analyzing the dead celebrities’ earnings between October 2011-2012.