When we think of rich celebrities, we imagine them in their finest jewels, flashiest cars and palatial homes. But the truth is some of the celebs with the most moolah are actually six feet under, unable to enjoy their riches, but raking in a fortune year after year nevertheless. Their families and estate managers must thank their lucky stars! Here’s last year’s list of the five richest celebrities… who are dead!

Michael Jackson (American entertainer, musician, singer/songwriter)

Forbes crowned the King of Pop as the ‘richest dead celebrity in the world’ for the third time in a row in 2014. Jackson generated over $140 million last year.  The singer had his second posthumous album release with Xscape, which debuted at No. 2 on the charts. But that’s not the only secret to this financial success. In addition to his non-stop record sales, Jackson accrued colossal estates and struck some intelligent business deals during his lifetime, including a lucrative partnership with Sony.

Are we surprised that the second richest dead celebrity was once related to the first? Elvis Presley was once Michael Jackson’s father-in-law (the former’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley was Mrs. Jackson from 1994 to 1996), and we wonder who rubbed off on whom! Anyway, Presley earned an estimated $55 million in the last year. Money hasn’t stopped rolling in the King of Rock and Roll’s bank accounts even 38 years after his death.

Charles Schulz (American cartoonist)

Snoopy and Charlie Brown of Peanuts fame were an enduring comic strip creation, so long-lasting in fact that they’re making their creator a rich, rich man even after he’s passed on. Charles Schultz earned an estimated figure of $40 million last year. The reason why he’s so fiscally strong even after his death is due to the earnings from amusement parks, libraries and merchandise.

Elizabeth Taylor (British American actress)

Celebrated as one of the world’s most famous film stars, the violet-eyed beauty was known for her flamboyant living, and she had the means to continue doing so had a heart attack not taken her life in 2011. The Cleopatra actress earned over $25 million last year through her line of fragrance, diamond jewellery, art works, high-end fashion products, cosmetics and smart investments in the stock market.

Bob Marley (Jamaican reggae musician/singer)

One couldn’t have guessed Bob Marley to have capitalist tendencies, but the iconic reggae musician’s identity was soon usurped as a brand name after his demise and that has led to his posthumous multi-millionaire status. With 75 million records sold worldwide, the Buffalo Soldier hit-maker is the fifth richest dead celebrity whose coffers have gathered around $20 million just last year. His ventures include his record sales, personalized beverage company, eco-friendly lifestyle and audio products.