Even 30 years after his death, Elvis remains the King

Elvis Presley is still the King.

Presley, who earned an estimated $49 million in the last 12 months, has reclaimed the No. 1 spot on Forbes.com’s list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities. He last topped the list in 2005.

John Lennon ranks second with earnings of $44 million, followed by Charles M. Schulz, $35 million; George Harrison, $22 million; Albert Einstein, $18 million; Andy Warhol, $15 million; Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel, $13 million; Tupac Shakur, $9 million; Marilyn Monroe, $7 million; Steve McQueen, $6 million; James Brown, $5 million; Bob Marley, $4 million; and James Dean, $3.5 million.

Presley died in 1977. His estate continues to generate millions from music royalties, DVD sales, licensing deals and tourism at Graceland, the singer’s mansion in Memphis, Tenn.

Forbes said the celebrities on the list earned a combined $232 million in the last 12 months. Kurt Cobain topped the list in 2006.