PHOTOS: Top earning dead celebrities of 2015

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Thursday, October 29, 2015
1. Michael Jackson, $115 million.
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PHOTOS: Top earning dead celebrities of 20151. Michael Jackson, $115 million.
Joel Ryan/AP

The King of Pop topped Forbes' list of the top-earning dead celebrities in 2015, bringing in a massive $115 million this past year alone That multi-million dollar haul is from recorded music sales, owning half of the Sony/ATV Music Publishing empire and the Vegas Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson One, according to Forbes.

Following Jackson on the list was another music king, Elvis Presley. The rock and roll icon earned $55 million last year, thanks in large part from ticket sales to tour his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tenn. and Elvis Presley Forever, a compilation CD released by the U.S. Post Office that became the singer's 53rd Top 40 album. Cartoonist Charles Schulz, creator of the beloved Peanuts comic strip, drew up $40 million in 2015, thanks to licensing revenue earned from bringing Charlie Brown and gang worldwide.

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