When you think of famous people, do you think of people who worked their way up from poverty? Before their fame, these individuals already had access to substantial wealth through inheritances. While most actors have trouble making ends meet while chasing their Hollywood goals, some famous people are fortunate enough to come from wealthy backgrounds. It's no secret that being born into a family of actors can open many possibilities for a future star.
Who are some famous people who inherited their wealth? A wealthy heir, Paris Hilton, has inherited the Hilton name and money. Conrad Hilton, her great-grandfather, established the Hilton Hotel chain. The father of Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus is millionaire Gerard Louis-Dreyfus, who is worth over $4 billion.
1. Lady Gaga
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Lady Gaga is a megastar. But that wasn't enough. She's Oscar-nominated (A Star is Born). Did you know she had money initially? She attended Upper West Side private school with accomplished parents. Cynthia Louise was a business executive, and Joseph Germanotta was an Internet entrepreneur. Her father is on her management team and charity board. She's repaying his kindness.
2. Edward Norton
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Edward Norton was doing well before American History X and Fight Club. His father was a prosecutor and environmental lawyer. Norton's money is older. James Rouse, his maternal grandpa, started The Rouse Company. Then what? Shopping malls? Rouse sold for $7.2 billion in 2004. Norton's wealth may have helped him grow up.
3. Ariana Grande
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Ariana Grande would be on a list of talented young stars. Since she was cast in a Nickelodeon show before she could drive, she's been singing and acting for a decade. Her parents are super successful. Joan Grande was CEO of Hose-McCann Communications. Edward ran a Florida design firm. Grande's parents' fame helped her gain symphony and cruise ship performances. She sang before a Florida Panthers game.
4. Bradley Cooper
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Four-time Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper. A Star is Born nominated him as a director and screenwriter. Cooper had early advantages, and he mentions his Philadelphia roots regularly. His education isn't public. Bradley's stockbroker father's earnings sent him to Germantown Academy in Philadelphia. He attended Villanova and Georgetown. His parents spent a lot on tuition. He can now repay his parents tenfold.
5. Adam Levine
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Adam Levine is known outside of Maroon 5. His work on The Voice widened his audience. He makes fragrances. He grew up wealthy in Brentwood, California. His father, Fred, ran the retail brand M.Frederic. Wealth doesn't guarantee happiness when Young Levine's parents divorced. Levine seemed to have recovered well from his loss.
6. Gwyneth Paltrow
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Gwyneth Paltrow's career is impressive. She's been in Shakespeare in Love and Iron Man. Before movies and her much-maligned health company, she was just another privileged kid in L.A. Her mum is Blythe Danner. She was successful when Gwyneth was young. Her father was St. Elsewhere producer Bruce Paltrow. She didn't work hard to get into the "business."
7. Emma Stone
Celebrities are born rich
Emma Stone improves whatever she's in. Audiences and the Oscars love her. Her La La Land win solidified it. She's never struggled financially. Stone was a privileged child. Her mother traveled from Arizona to Los Angeles to assist in establishing her acting career. Stone's dad made it happen. He funded Emma's Hollywood dreams as a multimillionaire construction firm CEO. Emma doesn't need him anymore.
8. Paris Hilton
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She hasn't been in the news much lately, but she's affluent. She's always been wealthy. Before the sex tape and reality program, Paris lived a normal life. Her great-grandfather founded Hilton Hotels. Her father co-founded a Beverly Hills real estate firm (Hilton & Hyland). Paris often moved as a child, which was difficult. Hamptons, Beverly Hills, and fancy Manhattan hotels probably helped.
9. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
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She played a bumbling vice president on HBO's Veep after Seinfeld. Julia is on this list because of her biological father's wealth, not her stepfather's. Gérard Louis-Dreyfus led Louis Dreyfus Energy Services. His 2006 Forbes net worth was $3.4 billion. Léopold Louis-Dreyfus was Julia's great-great-grandfather. His family was one of France's five wealthiest. He founded the Louis Dreyfus Group in 1851. That's Seinfeld money.