Being a
celebrity seems pretty great. They’ve not only got the fame but also owned a huge fortune. They never worry about looming rent or bills. Instead, they live in million-dollar villas and jet off in private planes to their favorite exotic locations to play on their yachts.
Despite the millions they have right now, we might not know that many of the richest celebs grew up with nothing. Fame and fortune are powerful motivators and sometimes they are powerful enough to pull you from the depths of poverty. Their rags-to-riches stories prove that with hard work, persistence, talent, and a little of luck, you can change their lives and end up in a better place than where you started.
Scroll down to see them.
#1 Hilary Swank: 60 million dollars
Source: Arthur Mola/Invision/AP
At the age of 15, Hilary Swank pursued her acting career. Initially, she and her mom lived out of a car until she got a role in the 1992 film version of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", they moved into an apartment. The two-time Oscar-winning actress was even criticized for romanticizing poverty. Her second Academy Award acceptance speech might have contributed to those harsh opinions.
#2 Nicki Minaj: 80 million dollars
Source: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Nicki Minaj lived in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in New York. She even prayed every night before bed to be rich to take care of her mother. Now, she becomes a well-known rapper with a net worth estimated at over 80 million dollars.
#3 Demi Moore: 200 million dollars
Source: Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX
Demi Moore had a crappy childhood when her father was abusive and her mom was an alcoholic. Her family lived in a trailer park. She worked as a debt collector and model before landing a supporting role in 1981's "Choices" and now she becomes a popular actress.
#4 Leonardo DiCaprio: 260 million dollars
Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty
The “Titanic” star lived in poverty before breaking into Hollywood. His life was full of criminals and shady characters. He even battled homelessness.
#5 Justin Bieber: 285 million dollars
Source: Jason Merritt/TERM
Maybe you’re not a Biebs but you can’t deny his drive and ambition. He used to love in a rat-infested house. He often felt hungry and slept on a pull-out coach. But now, his net worth is more than he probably ever imagined.
#6 Mariah Carey: 320 million dollars
Source: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Before being famous, Mariah Carey had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Luckily, she was discovered at a party by an executive and started her singing career. She won five Grammys and became one of the highest-selling female artists.
#7 Tom Cruise: 600 million dollars
Source: tomcruise
Tom Cruise lived in poverty throughout his childhood. But his fate changed when he hit it big with movies like "Risky Business" and "Top Gun." God, I love "Top Gun”.
#8 Celine Dion: 800 million dollars
Source: Frazer Harrison
Celine Dion is well-known for "My Heart Will Go On" and "The Power of Love. She was born in a massive family and was the youngest of 14 children. Because of having too many kids, her parents struggled to nurture them. The singer, and her family, got their big break when Celine sent a recording of her "Ce N'etait Qu'un Rêve" to manager René Angélil. Her singing voice made him burst into tears. He even mortgaged his house to fund her first two albums, but it clearly paid off.
#9 JK Rowling: 1 billion dollars
Source: jkrowlingweb
JK Rowling is one of the wealthiest private citizens in the United Kingdom and the first author in the world to achieve a net worth of $1 billion. But many might not know that she had a tough time. She started as a struggling, single mother living off handouts from the government. But, somehow she found the will and the inspiration to turn all that bleakness into magic.
#10 Oprah Winfrey: 3,5 billion dollars
Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images
Although Oprah Winfrey now has a net worth of 3,5 billion dollars, before her big break things were so difficult. She came from a small farm in Mississippi. She lived with her grandmother while her unwed mother desperately find a job. She used to be raped by a relative at the age of 9.