Being a dead celebrity can be quite a lucrative career path. Check out the big earners for 2016, according to Forbes:
1. Michael Jackson, $825 million
2. Charles Schulz, $48 million
3. Arnold Palmer, $40 million
4. Elvis Presley, $27 million
5. Prince, $25 million
6. Bob Marley, $21 million
7. Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, $20 million
8. John Lennon, $12 million
9. Albert Einstein, $11.5 million
10. Bettie Page, $11 million
11. David Bowie, $10.5 million
12. Steve McQueen, $9 million
13. Elizabeth Taylor, $8 million
While she didn’t make the list, Marilyn Monroe pulls in a mighty fat paycheck as well. The icon, who would’ve blown out 90 candles this year, has an estimated net worth of $27 million.
Since she’s such a high commodity even 54 years after her passing, there are many out there who try to use Marilyn’s likeness to turn a quick buck. For instance, an unnamed lingerie company is placing her image on the tags and packaging for its delicates…without paying to play. The blonde bombshell’s estate says it’s fired off numerous letters demanding the company cease its rip-off practices, but to no avail. So…it’s litigation time.
They are suing to collect profits from previous sales, to stop future sales, and to have the lingerie company destroy all merchandise with Marilyn’s image.
Remember how they dragged her out a few years ago to rake it in for Dior?
Even a soundtrack from The Gossip couldn’t even save that spot from its creepiness.