(October 29, 2008)—Elvis Presley managed to bring in $52 million during the past year, even though he’s been dead for 30 years, and that mean’s he’s still the king when it comes to earning money beyond the grave, Forbes magazine reports.
Elvis has managed to out-earn some of the biggest living acts in the music industry, eclipsing Justin Timberlake's $44 million in earnings, and left Madonna and her $40 million in income in the dust.
Forbes says Elvis' earning power is tied to last year's 30th anniversary of his death.
The magazine says the milestone helped boost attendance and merchandise sales at Graceland. In addition new ventures such as the all-Elvis show on Sirius Satellite Radio as well as the money regularly generated by various publishing and licensing deals based on his music and likeness.
Other top-earning dead celebrities on the Forbes list include actor Heath Ledger, Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe and Marvin Gaye.