15 Celebrities Who Have Passed Away But Still Earn Millions

Although the vast majority of people will earn all of their income during their own lifetime, that is not always the case. While most celebrities and famous figures would probably prefer that they had accumulated their wealth while still alive, licensing fees, commercial rights and continuing sales of their releases means that it is possible for them to earn big money even after their deaths.

Incredibly popular musicians and artists are likely to remain so, even when they have passed away, with millions still buying their records. Meanwhile, advertising agencies and other media are constantly looking to license the rights to music to help sell their products. Other times, companies might want to use the name or likeness of a departed celebrity to increase their popularity and status. This constantly increases the amount of income that estates can bring in, even decades after their providers sadly died.

Stieg Larsson

Many people will not recognize the name Stieg Larsson but his writings have proved to be incredibly popular. Although he died in 2004 before the publication of his hit series, known as The Millennium Trilogy, the three novels have proved to be unbelievably successful. They have sold almost 50 million copies between them and have also been adapted into hit films that have achieved similar success. These endeavors have earned his estate an estimated $10 million per year since their publication.

Jenni Rivera

Jenni Rivera has continued to be a big earner despite her tragic death in 2012. Various publications and releases of material in 2013 and 2014 proved to be successful, with her autobiography selling almost half a million copies. Meanwhile, her music has remained popular, with official records showing that since her death almost 1 million of her records have been sold. When combined with the income from her reality TV show I Love Jenni, her estate has earned somewhere in the region of $7 million each year.

Theodor Geisel

It’s entirely possible that you will be unaware of the name Theodor Geisel as he released the vast majority of his work under a pseudonym. Better known as Dr. Seuss, this writer and cartoonist has been responsible for some of the most popular children’s books of all time, including the likes of The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Horton Hears a Who! This popularity means that his books continue to sell many copies despite the fact that Geisel died in 1991 aged 87. With the addition of TV shows and feature films based on his creations, it is estimated that he still earns in the region of $9 million a year.