Elizabeth Taylor Beats Michael Jackson to Top of "Dead Celebrities" List!

Michael Jackson had his money issues at the end of his career, but ohhh how times they are a changin'. The pop singer, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, raked in more than any living artist in the past 12 months: $145 million.

Despite the massive earnings, he couldn't top Forbes' recently released Top-Earning Dead Celebrities. Instead it was his old friend Elizabeth Taylor who beat him to take #1, with her estate earning a whopping $210 million over the last year. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 79.

According to Forbes.com, the estate earned most of the money from the record-breaking Christie's auctions of her jewelry, costumes and art work, which brought in $184 million. In all, 1,800 lots sold.

The most expensive item was an 1889 Van Gogh painting that went for $16 million. Additionally, her perfume White Diamonds, one of the best-selling, brought in $75 million at retail in 2011; and property sales and residuals from Taylor's movies. After Cleopatra, the star smartly negotiated a 10% stake in her films.

As mentioned, Michael Jackson landed at #2, earning $145 million. His estate earned money from the sales of his own music, but he also owned a 50% stake in Sony's ATV catalog, which includes artists like The Beatles, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. His estate also collects money from the successful Cirque Du Soleil show The Immortal Tour.

Jackson earned $90 million more than the third-ranked celebrity on the list, Elvis Presley, who pulled in $55 million in earnings, some coming from Cirque Du Soleil, as well, who launched a whole show around Presley's music, called "Viva Elvis", though it was shut down due to ticket sales flagging.

Graceland is still a big attraction, making up the bulk of his revenue. Other passed celebs, on the list, include: Bob Marley, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, and Bettie Page, among others.

Below is the breakdown (via Forbes.com):

Elizabeth Taylor (actress) - $210 million
Died: March 23, 2011
Age: 79
Cause: Heart failure
Michael Jackson (singer) - $145 million
Died: June 25, 2009
Age: 50
Cause: Overdose/homicide
Elvis Presley (singer) - $55 million
Died: August 16, 1977
Age: 42
Cause: Heart attack
Charles Schulz (cartoonist) - $37 million
Died: February 12, 2000
Age: 77
Cause: Colon cancer
Bob Marley (singer) - $17 million
Died: May 11, 1981
Age: 36
Cause: Cancer
John Lennon (singer) - $12 million
Died: December 8, 1980
Age: 40
Cause: Murder
Marilyn Monroe (actress) - $10 million
Died: August 5, 1962
Age: 36
Cause: Overdose
Albert Einstein (scientist) - $10 million
Died: April 18, 1955
Age: 76
Cause: Natural causes
Theodor Geisel (author) - $9 million
Died: September, 24, 1991
Age: 87
Cause: Natural causes
Steve McQueen (actor) - $8 million
Died: November 30, 1980
Age: 50
Cause: Complication from surgery
Bettie Page (actress) - $8 million
Died: December 11, 2008
Age: 85
Cause: Natural causes
Richard Rogers (songwriter) - $6 million
Died: December 30, 1979
Age: 77
Cause: Chronic illness
George Harrison (musician) - $5.5 million
Died: November 29, 2001
Age: 58
Cause: Cancer