(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Michael Jackson has been named the highest earning dead celebrity.

The King of Pop died two years ago from acute Propofol intoxication but his legacy has lived on and he has earned more dead than in the recent years before he passed away.

Forbes magazine have released their list of the year's Top Earning Dead Celebrities and have placed Michael in the number one spot with an income of $170 million.

Elvis Presley came in second with $55 million, thanks in part to the Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis

Marilyn Monroe made a surprising entry at number three with $27 million. The glamorous 50s icon has not been on the list for a while.

An upcoming biopic of the star may have increased interest in the late actress. My Week With Marilyn starring Michelle Williams is due out next month.

Michael is actually the second highest earning pop act, dead or alive, coming in just behind rock band U2.

Top Earning Dead Celebrities October 2010 to October 2011

1. Michael Jackson - $170 million Musician Died: June 25, 2009 at age 50

2. Elvis Presley - $55 million Singer, Actor Died: Aug. 16, 1977 at age 42

3. Marilyn Monroe - $27 million Actress Died: Aug. 5, 1962 at age 36

4. Charles Schulz - $25 million Cartoonist, creator of the "Peanuts" franchise Died: Feb. 12, 2000 at age 77

5. John Lennon - $12 million Musician Died: Dec. 8, 1980 at age 40

6. Elizabeth Taylor - $12 million Actress Died: March 23, 2011 at age 79

7. Albert Einstein - $10 million Scientist Died: April 18, 1955 at age 76

8. Theodor 'Dr. Seuss' Geisel - $9 million Author of the famed "Dr. Seuss" children's books Died: Sept. 24, 1991 at age 87

9. Jimi Hendrix - $7 million Musician Died: Sept. 18, 1970 at age 27

10. Steig Larsson - $7 million Author of "The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" series Died: Nov. 9, 2004 at age 50 (C) Cover Media