Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent's estate has earned around $350 million this year, a significant portion through a three-day auction from his private art collection, according to Forbes' annual list of the top-earning dead celebrities. (REUTERS)

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein came in second with a combined income of $235 million through catalog licensing fees and the sale of famous musicals written by them, like South Pacific. (REUTERS)

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's recent passing moved him into number three. His posthumous earnings from album sales, radio airplay, and music video marathons netting him $90 million. (REUTERS)

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's estate has $55 million through Graceland admissions, merchandise deals, and music licensing. (REUTERS)

JRR Tolkien

JRR Tolkien's writing of The Lord of the Rings trilogy paved the way for a trio of movies and a potential prequel, and earned him $50 million. (REUTERS)

John Lennon

John Lennon was the songwriter behind many of the Beatles most famous songs. That contribution has earned him $15 million. (REUTERS)

Dr Seuss aka Theodor Geisel

Dr Seuss aka Theodor Geisel, as the all-time best-selling children's author, sold five million books in 2008 and is on track to do the same in 2009. Add in movie remakes, his earnings for the year total $15 million. (REUTERS)

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein's has contributed almost as much to popular culture as to science, with his appearance on things like McDonald's happy meals as well as in movies beefing up his portfolio to $10 million this year. (REUTERS)

Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton's book legacy continues. Despite his untimely death last year, a new book is set to be released as well as interest in filming it. That interest posthumously earned Crichton $9 million. (REUTERS)

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix returned to the list this year, with new publishing deals and catalog licensing. In addition, a win in a trademark infringement lawsuit added into his estate $8 million. (REUTERS)

Aaron Spelling

Aaron Spelling, creators of many famous TV shows, comes in at $8 million this year. (REUTERS)

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol, who's art was all about branding, will soon appear on a line of swimwear. He's still drawing in $6 million this year. (REUTERS)