Bob Marley’s earnings have doubled since last year, propelling him up two spots on Forbes’ 2024 Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities list, with his estate generating USD $34 million between October 31, 2023, and September 30, 2024. The Catch a Fire icon remains the only reggae artist consistently featured on this list, driven by a renewed wave of interest following the release of the biopic Bob Marley: One Love, which celebrates his life and music.
Posthumously, Marley is the highest earning Jamaican artists for the 2024 Caribbean Music Report.
Last year Marley earned US$16 million and ranked at No. 9 marking his return to the list after a hiatus in 2022. This year’s earnings is the highest for Marley’s estate of all time.
The film, which resonated with fans worldwide, was released across multiple territories starting February 14, 2024, and went on to gross over $180 million globally.
With a domestic gross of $96.9 million, One Love performed particularly well in the U.S., while international markets contributed an additional $83.9 million. Significant box office results came from major releases across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. The United Kingdom had the highest international opening, generating $8.7 million, and Japan later added $2.8 million following its May release. Australia also showed strong results, bringing in $4.5 million.
In addition to earnings from the movie and his iconic catalog, which continues to be a major revenue source, the Marley estate expanded its reach this year through a joint venture with the cannabis brand Jeeter, solidifying Marley’s influence in both music and lifestyle markets. His enduring brand power—spanning merchandise, licensing, and innovative partnerships—places him among top-grossing deceased icons like Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Freddie Mercury.
Michael Jackson’s estate experienced a major boost with a $600 million catalog sale, ranking him at No. 1 on the Forbes list, complemented by his Broadway musical and global productions, while Freddie Mercury rejoined the list with a staggering $250 million from Queen’s catalog sale. Other notable entries include Dr. Seuss, Elvis Presley, and newcomer Matthew Perry.
