Beyond the Grave

YSL Is Top-Earning Dead Celeb

Outranks Michael Jackson.

Revenue streams don't stop just because a celebrity's pulse does. Forbes' ninth annual list of the top-earning dead celebrities proves that the comatose have life in them yet. This year, designer Yves Saint Laurent, who earned $350 million this year, topped the list of 13 due in large part to a Christie's auction of furniture, art, and antiques from his estate. Rodgers and Hammerstein landed second with a combined $235 million, as a $200 million acquisition of their catalog, including, including musicals like Oklahoma boosted their music-licensing fees. Although he's only been dead for a couple of months, Michael Jackson came in third, with a $90 million profit. Elvis, the former top earner, and J.R.R. Tolkein rounded out the top five. Next year, the list is likely to change up considerably, given that Saint Laurent and Rodgers and Hammerstein only snagged the top spots due to one-time estate sales, not regular revenue.