These black celebrities are dead, but they are still earning more than the living

BOB MARLEY: $20 million

Reggae icon Robert Nesta Marley did not die a poor man and his family escaped destitution, thanks to the wealth he left behind from his years of musical dexterity which shot him to global acclaim as one of the best musicians of all time.

The Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist achieved international fame and acclaim, serving as a world ambassador for reggae music and selling a million records throughout his career. He started out in 1963 with the group The Wailers, creating a distinctive songwriting and vocal style that resonated with many people globally.

With nearly 1 billion streaming spins in the U.S., the ubiquity of Marley’s music keeps his House of Marley products – including headphones, speakers and turntables – from going up in smoke.