If these folks could talk... They might disagree with the idea that passive income is a myth like Big Foot: - Michael Jackson (died 2009) Earnings in 2022: $75 million. Sources: Music catalog, Cirque du Soleil show, merchandising. - Elvis Presley (died 1977) Earnings in 2022: $110 million. Sources: Graceland tourism, music royalties, licensing deals. - Charles Schulz (died 2000) Earnings in 2022: $100 million. Sources: Peanuts licensing, TV specials, merchandise. - Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel, died 1991) Earnings in 2022: $32 million. Sources: Book sales, TV and film adaptations, merchandise. - Bob Marley (died 1981) Earnings in 2022: $16 million. Sources: Music royalties, House of Marley products, merchandise. - John Lennon (died 1980) Earnings in 2022: $12 million. Sources: Beatles music catalog, solo work royalties. - Prince (died 2016) Earnings in 2022: $120 million. Sources: Music catalog sale, streaming royalties. - Marilyn Monroe (died 1962) Earnings in 2022: $8 million. Sources: Image licensing, merchandise, fragrance lines. - Albert Einstein (died 1955) Earnings in 2022: $10 million. Sources: Licensing of name and image for products and advertising. - David Bowie (died 2016) Earnings in 2022: $250 million. Sources: Catalog sale to Warner Chappell Music, ongoing royalties. - Whitney Houston (died 2012) Earnings in 2022: $55 million. Sources: Music catalog sale, hologram tour, biopic. - Kobe Bryant (died 2020) Earnings in 2022: $400 million. Sources: BodyArmor stake sale, Nike deal, book sales. - Freddie Mercury (died 1991) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $30 million. Sources: Queen music royalties, "Bohemian Rhapsody" biopic. - George Harrison (died 2001) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $25 million. Sources: Beatles catalog, solo work royalties. - Juice WRLD (died 2019) Earnings in 2022: $15 million. Sources: Music streaming, posthumous album releases. - Tupac Shakur (died 1996) Earnings in 2022: $11 million. Sources: Music royalties, merchandise, estate deals. - Charles M. Schulz (died 2000) Earnings in 2022: $100 million. Sources: Peanuts licensing, TV specials, merchandise. - Bing Crosby (died 1977) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $10-15 million. Sources: Music royalties, licensing of "White Christmas". - Roald Dahl (died 1990) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $20 million. Sources: Book sales, movie and theater adaptations. - Stan Lee (died 2018) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $10 million. Sources: Marvel comics and movie royalties. - Leonard Cohen (died 2016) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $5-10 million. Sources: Music royalties, licensing of "Hallelujah". - J.R.R. Tolkien (died 1973) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $500 million. Sources: Book sales, movie and TV adaptations. - Frank Sinatra (died 1998) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $5-10 million. Sources: Music royalties, licensing deals. - Bob Ross (died 1995) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $15-20 million. Sources: Merchandise, licensing deals, streaming revenue. - Jenni Rivera (died 2012) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $7 million. Sources: Music royalties, book sales, TV series. - Kurt Cobain (died 1994) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $8-10 million. Sources: Nirvana music royalties, merchandise. - Selena (died 1995) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $8 million. Sources: Music royalties, makeup line, Netflix series. - James Dean (died 1955) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $5-7 million. Sources: Image licensing, merchandise. - Bruce Lee (died 1973) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $7 million. Sources: Image licensing, merchandise, video games - Avicii (Tim Bergling, died 2018) Earnings in 2022: Estimated $5-10 million. Sources: Music royalties, posthumous album release.