Michael Jackson's entertainment empire has grown into a multibillion-dollar business, with his estate now estimated to be worth more than US$2 billion, 17 years after the death of the legendary pop star.
The latest valuation by Forbes shows that the estate has continued to generate substantial income through music, live performances and other entertainment ventures, despite earlier predictions that the singer's commercial influence would gradually decline.
The development comes amid reports that Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson, is seeking US$600 million for herself and her brothers, as the family remains connected to the vast fortune built around their father's legacy.
Jackson, popularly known as the King of Pop, died in June 2009, leaving behind a music catalogue, business interests and a financial situation that was reportedly weighed down by significant debts and years of extravagant spending.
In 2021, a US federal tax court was asked to determine the value of some of his major assets at the time of his death.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimated that Jackson's name, image and likeness, alongside his ownership of important music assets, were worth close to US$500 million.
However, the estate disputed the assessment, arguing that the singer's debts and damage to his reputation following child molestation allegations had significantly reduced the value of his assets. It placed the taxable value at approximately US$5 million.
After considering the competing valuations, tax court judge Mark Holmes settled on a figure of about US$110 million.
In his ruling, Holmes also suggested that Jackson's commercial appeal would weaken over time as public interest shifted and his copyrights gradually lost their value.
He argued that even with proper management, the estate's income would eventually decline as the singer's image and music became less commercially relevant.
However, the latest figures suggest that the judge's prediction has not materialised.
According to Forbes, Jackson's estate generated approximately US$140 million in the past 12 months through its music catalogue, live entertainment productions and a Hollywood biopic based on his life.
The publication estimates that the estate is now worth more than US$2 billion, making Jackson one of the wealthiest musicians in the world based on the value of his business interests.
The figure would place him behind Jay-Z but ahead of major music stars such as Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney if he were still alive.
Jackson's death also marked a turning point for his finances, bringing an end to the expensive lifestyle that had contributed to his financial difficulties.
His legacy has since been transformed into a powerful commercial enterprise, with his music and image continuing to attract audiences across generations.
More than a decade and a half after his death, the King of Pop remains a major force in the global entertainment industry, with his estate continuing to benefit from the lasting popularity of his work.
