Michael Jackson - Jackson's Dad: 'King Of Pop Is Worth More Dead Than Alive'

MICHAEL JACKSON is worth more dead than alive, according to his dad JOE.

The pop superstar, who died in June (09), has rocketed into the top five of Forbes magazine's new annual Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list and even his father is amazed with the money his son is making from beyond the grave.

He tells U.S. news show Extra, "He's worth more dead than when he was alive, but I'd rather have him alive."

And, hitting back at claims he has acted inappropriately since his son's death - choosing to promote a new record label at a press conference immediately after the tragedy and stepping out with escorts in Las Vegas - Joe Jackson insists he's still mourning the death of the King of Pop, and often cries in private.

He adds, "I get emotional when I'm off to myself and I start thinking about things that we went through. No one will ever see me (cry), though."