Celebrities Who Made Millions From Licensing Their Image

Fame can pay long after the performance ends.

For some celebrities, the real money came from letting companies use their name, face, voice, style, signature, or public image on products. That can mean sneakers, perfume, clothing, kitchen appliances, digital voices, estate licensing, or branded merchandise.

The best examples prove one thing: a celebrity image can become a business asset.

George Foreman

George Foreman became a boxing legend, but his biggest fortune came from a grill with his name on it.

The George Foreman Grill became a pop culture product after launching in the 1990s. Foreman was paid through royalties at first, reportedly receiving about 40% of profits at one point. Business Insider reported that he made more than $200 million from the grill and that Salton later bought perpetual rights to use his name for $127 million in cash plus $10 million in stock.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan’s image turned Nike’s Air Jordan line into one of the most powerful athlete brands in history.

Jordan’s first Nike deal in 1984 included a $500,000 annual payment plus royalties. Decades later, Forbes reported that Nike pays him nearly $300 million per year, with the Jordan Brand becoming a multibillion-dollar engine.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley’s estate became one of the clearest examples of posthumous image licensing.

Authentic Brands Group owns or manages major rights connected to Elvis Presley, including likeness and brand licensing.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe’s face remains one of the most licensed celebrity images in the world.

Authentic Brands Group acquired rights connected to Monroe and has built her image across fashion, beauty, collectibles, media, and brand partnerships.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali’s image became valuable far beyond boxing.

Authentic Brands Group acquired rights connected to Ali’s estate in 2013, adding him to a portfolio. The company’s model centers on licensing names, likenesses, and brand identities to partners around the world.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal turned his name and image into a licensing machine.

In 2015, Shaq signed a deal with Authentic Brands Group to manage his likeness and marketing rights. ESPN reported that the agreement put him inside a company known for licensing names such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Muhammad Ali.

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones’ voice became one of the most valuable vocal identities in entertainment.

Before his death, Jones consented to the use of artificial intelligence to recreate Darth Vader’s voice after stepping away from the role. CBS News reported that Skywalker Sound and Respeecher used AI to recreate the voice for Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton turned her public image into a global consumer-products business.

Her fragrance and licensing empire became one of the strongest celebrity-brand stories of the 2000s and 2010s. WWD reported that Hilton’s fragrance business alone generated more than $2 billion in retail revenue over a 10-year period.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson built one of the most successful celebrity fashion licensing brands.

The Jessica Simpson Collection expanded into shoes, clothing, accessories, perfume, luggage, and more. FashionUnited reported early on that the Camuto Group acquired the master license for the Jessica Simpson fashion brand in what was promoted as a major celebrity fashion licensing deal.

Kathy Ireland

Kathy Ireland moved from modeling into one of the largest celebrity licensing businesses in America.

Her company, kathy Ireland Worldwide, became known for licensing her name across home goods, furniture, flooring, fashion, and lifestyle categories. Public business profiles note that the company generated billions in retail sales and made Ireland one of the wealthiest former models in the world.

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor’s estate earned heavily from more than film residuals.

After her death, Forbes’ deceased-celebrity reporting showed her estate earning major income from auctions, but Vanity Fair also noted ongoing revenue from White Diamonds perfume and film residuals. Her fragrance business remains one of the most important celebrity beauty examples ever.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart turned her name into a home, cooking, publishing, and retail licensing brand.

Her name has appeared across home goods, kitchen products, books, magazines, television, and retail partnerships. The New Yorker covered the high-stakes J.C. Penney and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia deal, including the legal fight with Macy’s over home-category rights.

David Beckham

David Beckham’s image became valuable across sports, fashion, fragrance, grooming, and global lifestyle branding.

Authentic Brands Group has been connected to Beckham’s name, image, and likeness rights as part of its celebrity and brand-management business. Fortune reported that ABG’s portfolio includes investments in name, image, and likeness rights for major figures including Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley’s estate has long earned from music, merchandise, and brand licensing tied to his image.

Forbes deceased-celebrity coverage has repeatedly included Marley among high-earning estates, with income tied to music and brand use.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s estate became one of the highest-earning celebrity estates ever.

Forbes’ deceased-celebrity list has repeatedly placed Jackson near the top because of music catalog value, publishing rights, licensing, and estate-controlled business activity. Jackson earned $825 million in 2016, the highest annual figure recorded for a dead celebrity.

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