Michael Jackson tops Forbes' list of highest-paid dead celebrities in 2018

The late singer Michael Jackson owned the spotlight as he once again topped Forbes' roster of highest-paid dead celebrities in 2018, according to Forbes.

The King of Pop had posthumous earnings of $400 million dollars over the past year-- mostly from the sale of his estate’s stake in EMI Music Publishing to Sony.

Jackson died at the age of 50 in 2009 because of drug overdose.

Elvis Presley, who died of a heart attack at the age of 42 in 1977, ranked second among the richest dead celebrities. He earned $40 million.

"The bulk of the King’s coin comes from tickets to Graceland and a new $45 million entertainment complex called Elvis Presley’s Memphis," Forbes said.

Professional golfer Arnold Palmer placed third with total earnings of up to $35 million within a year.

He died at the age of 87 two years ago after suffering from a heart disease.

The cartoonist Charles Schulz, and musical-cultural icon Bob Marley also made it to the top five.

XXXTentacion, the rapper who was killed in June this year ranked 11th in the list after earning $11 million.

Dr. Seuss, Hugh Hefner, Marilyn Monroe, Prince, John Lennon, Muhammad Ali, and Bettie Page were among the other prominent names that made it to the list. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News