Pop icon Michael Jackson has been hailed the 2013 top highest earning celebrity by Forbes. Here are the top two reasons that made MJ outdid his contemporaries even if he’s been dead for 4 years.

With his earnings of approximately $160 million, Forbes declared the King of Pop as the top-earner for 2013 in its Celebrity 100 list. Jackson has outranked living celebrities, including Madonna, who recorded $125 million earnings in the same period. He redeemed the first spot from his friend Elizabeth Taylor who is listed this year as No. 4 with her earnings at $25 million.

Factors that helped Jackson nabbed the highest earnings spot from October 2012 to October 2013 by Forbes magazine:

1. Cirque du Soleil shows

According to AceShowbiz, Jackson’s earnings came primarily from two Cirque du Soleil shows. One is “Immortal,” which according to the news website has grossed an estimated $300 million since it opened in the music festival. His earnings, added the Web site, can be attributed to the success of another Cirque du Soleil show, MJ’s “One,” described as “routinely sold-out” when featured in the festival.

2. Music Catalogue

The singer, who died at age 50 in 2009, continues to earn from his music catalogue, AceShowbiz added. With extensive collection of classic songs, it is no doubt that Jackson still rakes in from the earnings of his hit collection. He died in 2009 “from a doctor-administered drug overdose,” AceShowbiz noted.

Forbes' Highest-Earning Celebrities

1. Michael Jackson
2. Elvis Presley
3. Charles Schulz
4. Elizabeth Taylor
5. Bob Marley
6. Marilyn Monroe
7. John Lennon
8. Albert Einstein
9. Bettie Page
10. Theodor Geisel
11. Steve McQueen
12. Bruce Lee
13. Jenni Rivera

Source: Forbes

More Entertainment News:
X Factor USA 2013 Season 3 Top 16 - Group: Meet Alex and Sierra, the Lovebird Duo that America Will Fall in Love With [PHOTOS/VIDEO] Full article here.
Watch Former Porn Star, Jenna Jameson’s Disturbing Behavior on Live TV Segment, Too Embarrassing She Got Booted Off the Show [PHOTOS/VIDEO] Full article here.
Ryan Reynolds Goes Topless on Commercial Flight with Wife Blake Lively On Board; Flight Attendants Happy to Assist Him [PHOTOS/VIDEO] Full article here.

 Credit: YouTube/MichaelJacksonVEVO

New York