Imagine you were worth 160 million dollars. No? Can’t picture it? Now think about this: Michael Jackson is the top-earning dead celebrity, “making” 160 million dollars, four years after his death, earns MORE than Madonna, the highest-earning living celebrity, pulling in a paltry $125 million.

What?

It may seem counterintuitive, since the celebrity can no longer produce the goods (music, art, ect.) or appearances, but much of it is due to personality rights. Technically, Jackson’s estate (and by extension his family) is earning the money, which comes from the Cirque de Soleil and album sales, until the 70-year copyright law expires.

It speaks to an (unhealthy?) fascination with dead celebrities, which when combined with business makes and interesting conversation. On the 50th anniversary of his death, and 16 years after hers, John F. Kennedy and Princess Diana, are more alive (and profitable) than they ever were. Many of a person’s faults are ignored after their death, and this makes consumers more likely to buy memorabilia. The media also indirectly earns more from a celebrity’s death, since viewership and readership increase whenever the celebrity is mentioned.

And don’t even start of the Forbes Fictional 15 (Smaug, $62 Billion).