People who are no longer with us.
2004 - Richard Rodgers $8.5 million.
2004 - Elvis Presley
© Corbis
Elvis Presley
Earnings: $40 million
Occupation: Musician
Date of death: Aug. 16, 1977
Age: 42
Cause: Heart attack
Survived by: daughter Lisa Marie Presley
As a rock-and-roll icon, Elvis Presley simply has no peer. Neither does Elvis Presley Enterprises, the for-profit organization that runs business affairs for his estate. EPE says that revenue was flat at $40 million, and claims it is split evenly between admissions to Graceland, licensing, merchandising and entertainment licensing. Elvis' image is used to sell everything from American Greetings cards to Zippo lighters. Next up, a clothing line and Broadway musical based on the King's music. -- Lisa DiCarlo
2004 - John Lennon
Earnings: $21 million
Occupation: Musician
Age: 40
Date of death: Dec. 8, 1980
Cause: Murder
Survived by: wife Yoko Ono, two sons
The Lennon estate will mark the 24th anniversary of his assassination by releasing two new recordings: a remastered edition of the 1975 covers classic Rock 'N' Roll, and a compilation of acoustic performances aptly titled Acoustic. But the real money still comes from the Beatles. Last year's Naked, a stripped-down version of the band's Let It Be album, sold nearly 5 million copies worldwide. In November, EMI will release The Capitol Albums Vol. 1, a box set of the first four Beatles albums. Two theatrical productions will add to the till: Lennon, a musical, will open next summer; plans are underway for a Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show. --
Peter Newcomb
Well Burt thank goodness is still alive. You can only guess what he is pulling in. But don't foget, money doesn't bring you joy!
