They may be dead but they are earning way more than many living people. Here's this year's list of "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities" compiled by financial website Forbes.com.

1. Michael Jackson (d. 2009) – $170 million
2. Elvis Presley (d. 1977) – $55 million
3. Marilyn Monroe (d. 1962) – $27 million
4. Charles Schulz (“Peanuts” cartoonist, d. 2000) – $25 million
5. Elizabeth Taylor (d. 2011) – $12 million
6. John Lennon (d. 1980) – $12 million
7. Albert Einstein (d. 1955) – $10 million
8. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss, d. 1991) – $9 million
9. Jimi Hendrix (d. 1970) – $7 million
10. Stieg Larsson (author, d. 2004) – $7 million
11. Steve McQueen (actor, d. 1980) – $7 million
12. Richard Rodgers (songwriter, d. 1979) – $7 million
13. George Harrison (d. 2011) – $6 million
14. Bettie Page (actress, d. 2008) – $6 million
15. Andy Warhol (d. 1987) – $6 million

The Forbes' "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities" list takes into account any deceased famous personality who has earned at least $6 million between October 2010 and October 2011.

"For the most part, earnings come from things like music royalties (John Lennon), book sales (Dr. Seuss) or the licensing of one’s image and likeness (McQueen)," Forbes wrote.

Michael Jackson audio shocks the world

An audio recording of Michael Jackson sounding dazed and disorientated which was presented as evidence during the first day of the Dr. Conrad Murray’s manslaughter trial  has shocked many people around the world.

From the said Michael Jackson audio, the pop star can be heard discussing about his "This Is It" tour with slurred speech. It was said to have been recorded by Dr. Murray himself while the singer was drugged.

“When people leave my show,” a barely audible Jackson told Dr. Murray, “I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life. Go. Go. I’ve never seen nothing like this. Go. It’s amazing. He’s the greatest entertainer in the world,”

The prosecutors argue that the audio recording, which was recorded about six weeks prior to the singer's death, proves that Michael Jackson's personal doctor, Dr. Murray, was doping him up on the powerful anesthetic Propofol, which led to his death. (Propofol is an anesthetic used intravenously in hospitals for patients who are about to undergo a surgical intervention.)

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren told the court, “What happened during that time frame is that the acts and omissions of Michael Jackson’s personal doctor Conrad Murray directly led to his premature death at age 50.”

He added that the singer trusted the physician, and “that misplaced trust in Conrad Murray cost Michael Jackson his life.”

Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with “involuntary manslaughter” in the trial that began on Tuesday, September 27. Dr. Murray had pleaded "not guilty" to the accusations brought to him on February 8, 2010 and was released from police custody after paying the bail amounting to 75,000 US dollars.

Check out Michael Jackson's audio recording below:

Michael Jackson audio shocks the world

An audio recording of Michael Jackson sounding dazed and disorientated which was presented as evidence during the first day of the Dr. Conrad Murray’s manslaughter trial  has shocked many people around the world.

From the said Michael Jackson audio, the pop star can be heard discussing about his "This Is It" tour with slurred speech. It was said to have been recorded by Dr. Murray himself while the singer was drugged.

“When people leave my show,” a barely audible Jackson told Dr. Murray, “I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life. Go. Go. I’ve never seen nothing like this. Go. It’s amazing. He’s the greatest entertainer in the world,”

The prosecutors argue that the audio recording, which was recorded about six weeks prior to the singer's death, proves that Michael Jackson's personal doctor, Dr. Murray, was doping him up on the powerful anesthetic Propofol, which led to his death. (Propofol is an anesthetic used intravenously in hospitals for patients who are about to undergo a surgical intervention.)

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren told the court, “What happened during that time frame is that the acts and omissions of Michael Jackson’s personal doctor Conrad Murray directly led to his premature death at age 50.”

He added that the singer trusted the physician, and “that misplaced trust in Conrad Murray cost Michael Jackson his life.”

Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with “involuntary manslaughter” in the trial that began on Tuesday, September 27. Dr. Murray had pleaded "not guilty" to the accusations brought to him on February 8, 2010 and was released from police custody after paying the bail amounting to 75,000 US dollars.

Check out Michael Jackson's audio recording below: