Michael Jackson Beats Elvis, Liz Taylor and Bob Marley to Top Forbes 2013 List of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities

Michael Jackson may have died more than four years ago but his earning power is still as strong as ever.

The late King of Pop, who died from a lethal overdose of the surgical anaesthetic propofol in 2009, has regained the throne as Forbes' Top-Earning Dead Celebrity after racking up a blockbuster $160m (£100m) between June 2012 and June 2013.

Jackson has two Cirque du Soleil shows, his music and his half of the Sony/ATV catalogue to thank for his posthumous bank balance.

His impressive year helped him reclaim the No 1 spot from Elizabeth Taylor. He even outranked living stars including Madonna and Lady Gaga.

Madonna was 2013's top earning living celebrity with $125m.

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock n' Roll, came in second in the posthumous list with an estimated $55m despite his death in 1977. Much of the earnings come from his former Graceland home - a major tourist attraction.

Peanuts creator Charles Schulz came third with $37m.

Elizabeth Taylor, who died in 2011, earned $210 million in the 12 months to October 2012 thanks to a series of lucrative auctions at Christie's of Taylor's art, jewels and clothes but slipped to fourth place this year after her earnings dropped to $25m.

Rounding up the top five with $18m in earnings was iconic reggae idol Bob Marley. Most of his money came from Bob Marley branded merchandise.