As crass as it might be to say, legendary entertainer Michael Jackson is reportedly worth more dead than he was alive.
In an in depth segment on "60 Minutes" Sunday, Jackson's estate was examined with the help of estate attorney John Branca, who gave a candid and eye opening interview about the King of Pop's legacy, death and the stunning financial wealth and strength of his "brand" to the tune of over $600 million (earned since 2009).
"Worldwide box office now is over $300 million. And Michael has almost 60 million Facebook friends. He's the biggest selling artist on iTunes and he's sold approximately 50 million albums since he passed away," Branca told Lara Logan early in the just over 13-minute segment.
While the revamp of the Jackson brand has been big business, including the "This Is It" movie and a Cirque Du Soleil show, Branca insists a great portion of the money will go directly to his children — this after erasing Jackson's debt.
"The whole objective of Michael's estate plan is to take care of his mother during her lifetime and to accumulate the principle and assets for the benefit of Michael's children," Branca says in video below.
Also, before you watch the entire segment below, John Branca opened up about Michael Jackson's purchase of music catalogs and where those investments stand today. He also discussed the many lawsuits that followed Jackson's death in 2009.
"We started with the Sly & the Family Stone catalog, we bought some rock classics, People Get Ready by Curtis Mayfield. Dion & The Belmonts, Runaround Sue, The Wanderer. When a Man Loves a Woman. Great Balls of Fire. Shake, Rattle, and Roll. But then one day I got the call that the Beatles catalog was for sale. It was called ATV Music. And it was as if we had hit the mother lode," said Branca. "The price was $47.5 million. And we later merged it with Sony's music publishing company to create one of the biggest publishers in the world, Sony ATV Music, that the estate, to this day, owns 50 percent of."
As for the lawsuits, Branca says "There were so many claims that were filed. And I can honestly tell you that most of them were ridiculous. Most of them were absurd. People making paternity claims and claims to have written all the songs that he ever wrote. And, you know, when you have an estate and you're in front of a court, you have to take these things seriously…. Throwing many out, settling the ones that we thought were valid. There's a couple that are still pending."
You may have heard about the recent success of the Michael Jackson estate, which has grossed an incredible $600 million. This is a testament to not only his musical legacy but also his savvy business acumen.
Despite passing away over a decade ago, Jackson continues to captivate audiences with his music and influence popular culture.
However, the estate’s success has not been without controversy. A paternity suit involving one of Jackson’s children was recently covered on ’60 Minutes,’ sparking public interest and debate.
While the details of the suit are still unfolding, it serves as a reminder that even in death, Michael Jackson remains a figure shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
The Success of the Michael Jackson Estate
The Michael Jackson estate is killing it, grossing $600 million and proving the King of Pop’s legacy lives on. With posthumous releases like ‘Xscape’ and a Cirque du Soleil show dedicated to his music, MJ continues to be a major force in the music industry.
The estate has also been able to secure lucrative deals with brands such as Pepsi and Sony, making sure that MJ’s image remains relevant. Despite controversies surrounding MJ’s personal life, fans continue to support his music and the estate’s efforts in keeping his memory alive.
The success of the estate also highlights the importance of managing an artist’s legacy after their passing. It takes careful planning and strategic partnerships to ensure that an artist’s work continues to inspire generations to come.
Overall, the Michael Jackson estate serves as an example for other estates looking to keep an artist’s legacy alive. By staying true to MJ’s vision and collaborating with respected brands, they have been able to generate significant revenue while preserving his iconic status in pop culture.
The Paternity Suit Controversy
Hey, did you catch the latest scandal surrounding that famous pop star’s alleged fatherhood? The paternity suit controversy involving Michael Jackson has been making headlines recently.
Brandon Howard, a singer claiming to be MJ’s son, filed a lawsuit against the estate for a DNA test in 2014. However, the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Howard’s claim was based on a DNA test conducted by Alki David, who claimed that it showed Howard had a 99.9% chance of being related to Jackson. Nevertheless, this result was later disputed by other experts stating that the sample used in the test was not reliable enough. Despite all these speculations and claims, there hasn’t been any concrete evidence supporting Howard’s allegations.
While the paternity suit controversy may have made headlines once again due to its coverage on ’60 Minutes,’ it is important to note that no conclusive evidence has been presented thus far. The Michael Jackson estate remains focused on preserving his legacy and ensuring his music continues to inspire generations to come.
Conclusion
You may be feeling quite amazed at the incredible success of the Michael Jackson estate, which has managed to gross a whopping $600 million! This is no small feat and speaks volumes about just how much fans still love and appreciate the King of Pop’s music.
Despite his tragic passing, Michael Jackson’s legacy continues to live on through his artistry and undeniable impact on the world.
However, it’s important not to overlook some of the controversies that have surrounded Michael Jackson in recent years. The paternity suit covered on ’60 Minutes’ is just one example of this.
While it’s true that Jackson was an incredibly talented musician and performer, it’s also important to remember that he was a human being with flaws like anyone else.
Ultimately, though, what remains clear is that his place in music history is secure and his influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.
