In this 1969 file photo, French designer Yves Saint Laurent stands outside the London branch of his store. Photo File/AP.
Although the King of Pop's estate has been big news since his death in June, the top-earning dead celebrity is French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Forbes released its ninth annual poll on Wednesday. According to the magazine, Laurent earned US$350 (NZ$487) million in the past year.
Much of his estate was auctioned off at Christie's in February.
Laurent died of brain cancer in June 2008.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein rank second with combined earnings of US$235 million, followed by Jackson with US$90 million, Elvis Presley with US$55 million and J.R.R. Tolkien with US$50 million.
Charles Schulz, John Lennon, Theodor Geisel, Albert Einstein and Michael Crichton round out the top 10 list.
