The highest-earning actress in the world is not a present-day star but a former legend who passed away more than sixty years ago. Nevertheless, her income surpasses that of Zendaya, Gal Gadot, Margot Robbie, and Priyanka Chopra. Here’s how!
Margot Robbie currently holds the title of the highest-paid actress in the world. Multiple reports indicate that she earned $12.5 million (over Rs 100 crore) for her leading role in the upcoming movie Barbie. Several renowned figures from various countries, including Gal Gadot, Zendaya, Priyanka Chopra, and Deepika Padukone, trail behind Margot on the list. However, there is one name that outperforms these cinematic icons, despite her demise over six decades ago.
The world’s top-earning deceased actress
Forbes magazine regularly publishes a list of deceased celebrities who continue to generate income through royalties or the sale of their past creations. Musicians, writers, and the occasional athlete have largely dominated the lists over the past twenty years. One name that consistently appears on the list is the former screen queen Marilyn Monroe. Despite her suicide in 1962, she still earns an annual income of $8-13 million (Rs 65-105 crore), depending on her estate’s earnings each year.
The highest-earning actresses in the world
According to reports, Margot Robbie earned $12.5 million in 2022. Gal Gadot has consistently been the highest-earning actress worldwide over the past five years, accumulating over $40 million during this period. In comparison, Marilyn Monroe earned approximately $45 million during the same timeframe, according to data obtained by Forbes. Other highly-paid actresses around the world include Zendaya, Millie Bobby Brown, Emily Blunt, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Brie Larson.
Marilyn Monroe’s net worth and income
Marilyn Monroe, whose real name was Norma Jean Baker, was born in 1926 and began her acting career after a successful period as a model in the late 1940s. From the mid-1950s to the early 1960s, she was easily the most recognizable film icon worldwide, becoming one of the first global sex symbols. Renowned for her platinum-blonde appearance and comedic timing on screen, she was the highest-paid actress of her time. She passed away at the age of 36 in 1962 due to a drug overdose.
So, how does Marilyn Monroe continue to earn millions of dollars each year, even six decades after her death? Marilyn’s iconic image and name are utilized by brands worldwide today due to her enduring popularity. This allows her heirs and estate to earn royalties from those ventures. Additionally, books and movies based on her life, such as last year’s Blonde, also generate royalties for her estate, making Marilyn one of the wealthiest celebrities in the world, even long after her death.
