Elizabeth Taylor highest-earning dead celebrity 2012

Los Angeles: Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor has earned USD 210 million in the past 12 months, beating pop megastar Michael Jackson who earned USD 145 million this year.

The ‘Cleopatra’ star, who died of heart failure last March, owed her earning to the record breaking Christie`s auction in which her jewelry, costumes and art work raked in a lot of moolah, reported a website. As many as USD 184 million of her earning came from the auction while the rest came from her estate, perfume sale as well as royalty of her films. She earned even more than highest-earning alive celebrity, Oprah Winfrey, who raked in USD 45 million less. Jackson earned USD 90 million more than the celebrity at number three, Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll rounded up USD 55 million, thanks to a whole show around his music in 2010, "Viva Elvis", at MGM`s Aria casino in Las Vegas. Presley earned the same amount of money last year. "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz sits at number four with USD 37 million. At number five is singer Bob Marley with USD 17 million. He has profited from Marley beverage company and House of Marley, the latter which sells merchandise related to him. Beatles legend John Lennon (USD 12 million), screen siren Marilyn Monroe (USD 10 million) and scientist Albert Einstein (USD 10 million) also featured on the list. PTI