Kurt Cobain has been named the "Top-Earning Dead Celebrity" of the year in a poll by Forbes.com. The Nirvana frontman, who died in 1994 aged 27, earned $50 million (£26.3m), as a result of his widow Courtney Love selling a 25% stake of his song catalogue to Primary Wave. Relegated to second place, Elvis Presley, who has been top of the list for the past six years, earned $42 million (£22.1m). The list includes other stars whos fortunes change year on year, depending on how the icon’s estates are handled. Johnny Cash, who comes tenth on the list, earning $8million (£4.2m), released two albums this year, whereas Cobain’s fortune was from a solitary event. Future Top-Earning lists will possibly see John Lennon move from this years’ fourth position at $24m (£12.6m) as Yoko Ono has filed to reclaim lost royalties from EMI. The full Top ten "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities" are as follows: 1. Kurt Cobain $50m (£26.3m) 2. Elvis Presley $42m (£22.1m) 3. Charles Schulz $35m (£18.4m) 4. John Lennon $24m (£12.6m) 5. Albert Einstein $20m (£10.5m) 6. Andy Warhol $19m (£10m) 7. Dr Seuss/ Theodor Geisel $10m (£5.3m) 8. Ray Charles £10m (£5.3m) 9. Marilyn Monroe $8m (£4.2m) 10. Johnny Cash $8m (£4.2m) To see the Forbes analysis of the list click here
Kurt Cobain has been named the “Top-Earning Dead Celebrity” of the year in a poll by Forbes.com.
The Nirvana frontman, who died in 1994 aged 27, earned $50 million (£26.3m), as a result of his widow Courtney Love selling a 25% stake of his song catalogue to Primary Wave.
Relegated to second place, Elvis Presley, who has been top of the list for the past six years, earned $42 million (£22.1m).
The list includes other stars whos fortunes change year on year, depending on how the icon’s estates are handled.
Johnny Cash, who comes tenth on the list, earning $8million (£4.2m), released two albums this year, whereas Cobain’s fortune was from a solitary event.
Future Top-Earning lists will possibly see John Lennon move from this years’ fourth position at $24m (£12.6m) as Yoko Ono has filed to reclaim lost royalties from EMI.
The full Top ten “Top-Earning Dead Celebrities” are as follows:
1. Kurt Cobain $50m (£26.3m)
2. Elvis Presley $42m (£22.1m)
3. Charles Schulz $35m (£18.4m)
4. John Lennon $24m (£12.6m)
5. Albert Einstein $20m (£10.5m)
6. Andy Warhol $19m (£10m)
7. Dr Seuss/ Theodor Geisel $10m (£5.3m)
8. Ray Charles £10m (£5.3m)
9. Marilyn Monroe $8m (£4.2m)
10. Johnny Cash $8m (£4.2m)
