In this article, we’ll explore how much money Michael Jackson made during his lifetime, how his estate continues to earn, and the various revenue streams that contributed to his immense wealth.
1. Michael Jackson’s Earnings During His Lifetime
Throughout his career, Michael Jackson earned hundreds of millions of dollars from music sales, concerts, endorsements, and business deals. Here’s a breakdown of how much money he made from various aspects of his career:
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Record Sales
Michael Jackson’s albums are some of the best-selling of all time. His 1982 album “Thriller” remains the best-selling album in history, with estimated sales of over 66 million copies worldwide. The album generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, and Jackson earned a substantial portion of that through royalties and sales.
Other albums like “Bad,” “Off the Wall,” and “Dangerous” were also massive commercial successes. Over the course of his career, Jackson sold an estimated 400 million records worldwide, making him one of the top-selling artists of all time.
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- Thriller alone is estimated to have generated around $500 million in revenue over the years.
- Jackson’s share of these sales was significant, earning him tens of millions in royalties.
Concert Tours
Jackson’s world tours were highly lucrative, drawing millions of fans and generating massive profits. His Bad World Tour (1987-1989) grossed over $125 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours of its time. His Dangerous World Tour (1992-1993) and HIStory World Tour (1996-1997) were also enormously successful.
Here’s a look at the earnings from some of his major tours:
- Bad World Tour: Grossed over $125 million.
- Dangerous World Tour: Grossed around $140 million.
- HIStory World Tour: Grossed an estimated $165 million.
Jackson personally earned millions of dollars from each tour, with estimates suggesting he made $50 million to $100 million in profits from his touring career.
Endorsements
Michael Jackson also earned millions from endorsement deals with major brands. One of the most famous deals was with Pepsi, which reportedly paid Jackson $5 million in 1984 for a series of commercials and promotional appearances. This was one of the largest celebrity endorsement deals at the time.
Jackson’s association with Pepsi continued over the years, and he earned additional income from the partnership, as well as from other endorsement deals and merchandising agreements throughout his career.
Music Publishing and Investments
One of the most lucrative aspects of Michael Jackson’s wealth came from his music publishing ventures. In 1985, Jackson purchased the ATV Music Publishing catalog for $47.5 million. This catalog included the rights to thousands of songs, including the vast majority of The Beatles’ songs, which was one of the most valuable music catalogs in the world.
Jackson’s investment in ATV Music proved to be incredibly profitable. In 1995, he merged ATV Music with Sony Music Publishing, creating a joint venture known as Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Jackson retained a 50% stake in the company, which greatly increased in value over the years.
By the mid-2000s, Jackson’s share of Sony/ATV was estimated to be worth $500 million to $750 million, making it one of the most valuable assets in his portfolio.
2. Michael Jackson’s Financial Challenges
Despite his enormous earnings, Michael Jackson faced significant financial difficulties during the later years of his life. His extravagant lifestyle, which included owning Neverland Ranch, purchasing expensive artwork and memorabilia, and maintaining a large staff, contributed to his growing debt.
By the mid-2000s, Jackson was reportedly facing $400 million to $500 million in debt. This was exacerbated by legal issues and the declining success of his music and touring career during this period. However, Jackson still owned valuable assets, including his share in Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which helped keep him financially afloat.
3. Michael Jackson’s Earnings After Death
Although Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, his estate has continued to generate significant revenue. In fact, the years following his death have been some of the most financially successful for the Jackson estate. His music, image, and legacy continue to be a major source of income.
Here are some of the key revenue streams that have contributed to Michael Jackson’s posthumous earnings:
Music Sales and Streaming
After Jackson’s death, sales of his music skyrocketed. Fans around the world purchased his albums, leading to a surge in revenue. In the months following his death, Jackson sold 35 million albums worldwide. His catalog continues to generate income through streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, as well as physical and digital album sales.
This Is It Documentary
In 2009, the documentary “This Is It” was released, featuring footage from Jackson’s rehearsals for what was meant to be his comeback concert series. The film was a massive success, grossing over $260 million worldwide. The Jackson estate earned a significant share of this revenue, further adding to the estate’s earnings.
Merchandising and Licensing
Michael Jackson’s image and likeness have been licensed for a wide range of products, from clothing to memorabilia. The estate has also entered into licensing deals with brands and entertainment companies, generating additional income from merchandising.
Cirque du Soleil Shows
The Jackson estate partnered with Cirque du Soleil to create two tribute shows: “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” and “Michael Jackson ONE”. Both shows have been incredibly successful, with The Immortal World Tour grossing over $370 million and becoming one of the highest-grossing tours of all time.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Sale
In 2016, the Jackson estate made a landmark deal by selling its 50% stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing to Sony for $750 million. This deal significantly boosted the estate’s value and helped settle some of the financial challenges that had plagued Jackson during his life.
4. Michael Jackson’s Total Earnings
It’s estimated that during his lifetime, Michael Jackson earned around $1.1 billion from his music, tours, endorsements, and business ventures. Since his death, his estate has reportedly earned over $2 billion, making Jackson one of the highest-earning deceased celebrities of all time.
Lifetime Earnings:
- Estimated total: $1.1 billion
Posthumous Earnings:
- Estimated total: $2 billion
5. Michael Jackson’s Estate Today
As of 2023, Michael Jackson’s estate remains one of the most valuable in the entertainment industry. The estate has successfully managed Jackson’s image and music catalog, ensuring that his legacy continues to generate income for his heirs.
The estate has also paid off much of the debt that Jackson had accumulated during his lifetime, thanks to the sale of Sony/ATV and the ongoing revenue from his music and merchandising. Today, Jackson’s estate is valued at over $1 billion.
Conclusion: How Much Money Did Michael Jackson Make?
Michael Jackson made an extraordinary amount of money during his lifetime through music sales, world tours, and smart investments like the purchase of ATV Music Publishing. Despite financial challenges toward the end of his life, his estate has continued to thrive, earning billions of dollars since his death. Today, Michael Jackson’s legacy remains not only one of musical innovation but also of remarkable financial success, cementing his status as one of the highest-earning entertainers of all time.