6. Elizabeth Taylor ($20 million)
Died: March 23, 2011, Age: 79 Cause: Heart failure
British-American actress Elizabeth Taylor died of heart failure on March 23 2011. She was also savvy businesswoman. Liz launched her House of Taylor fragrance line when celebrity perfumes did not exist. One of her scents, the White Diamonds, is still one of the top selling celebrity fragrances. It has generated more than $1 billion in its more than two decades of history.
7: John Lennon
Died: December 8, 1980, Age: 40, Cause: Murder
English singer and songwriter John Lennon was murdered on December 8 1980. This legend continues to share in the Beatles spoils both in terms of recorded music and publishing. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
8: Albert Einstein ($11 million)
Died: April 18, 1955, Age: 76 Cause: Natural causes
Einstein died on April 18 1955 in Princeton Hospital at the age of 76. This world-renowned theoretical physicist developed the general theory of relativity. He has a cult-like nerd following. Einstein-branded merchandise including tablets designed by Fourier Systems, is popular worldwide. His brand continues to earn worldwide.
9. Paul Walker ($10.5 million)
Died: November 30, 2013, Age: 40, Cause: Car crash
Fast & Furious actor Paul Walker died in a car crash on November 30 2013 when he was just 40 years old. His untimely death helped the box office performance of his movie Furious 7, which made $1.51 billion.
10) Bettie Page ($10 million)
Died: December 11, 2008, Age: 85, Cause: Natural causes
Model and iconic playboy pinup Bettie Page died of heart attack on December 11 2008 when she was 85 years old. She has licensed her sex appeal into growing fashion lines that include lingerie and bridal wear. This accounts for most of her income.