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Two Pink Floyd<\/a> legends are among the dead celebrities who earned the most money in 2025.<\/p>\n According to Forbes<\/a>‘ annual list, the estates of Syd Barrett<\/a> and Richard Wright<\/a>\u00a0each earned $81 million in 2025 as a result of Pink Floyd selling their catalog and name, image and likeness rights to Sony for $400 million<\/a>. That was good enough for a tie for third place on the list, behind Michael Jackson and children’s author Dr. Seuss.<\/p>\n The Barrett and Wright estates reportedly split the money from the sale equally with surviving members Roger Waters<\/a>, David Gilmour<\/a> and Nick Mason<\/a>. Barrett and Wright died in 2006 and 2008, respectively.<\/p>\n Read More: Pink Floyd Live Albums Ranked Worst to Best<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Singer Jimmy Buffett<\/a> came in at No. 8 on this year’s list, behind the Pink Floyd duo, rapper the Notorious B.I.G., Miles Davis and Elvis Presley. Although he died in 2023<\/a>, Buffett’s Margaritaville empire, which includes clothing, a restaurant chain, drinks, resorts and a cruise line earned his estate a reported $14 million in 2025.<\/p>\n Bob Marley, John Lennon and Prince also appeared in the No. 9, 10 and 11 spots on this list, which was rounded out by athletes Arnold Palmer and Kobe Bryant.<\/p>\n Michael Jackson has dominated the list of highest paid dead celebrities since his 2009 death, ranking in first in all but three years. His estate earned an estimated $105 million in 2025 through royalties, a touring musical production and his Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show, Michael Jackson ONE.<\/p>\n Many had their lives cut short by bad luck, addiction or their personal actions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Corey Irwin<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n30 Rockers Who Died Before 30<\/h2>\n