7 Celebs Who Were Struggling Financially Before Becoming Wealthy

No matter where we come from, we can still have the potential to succeed.

Damjan

• Published in Film & TV
• February 12, 2023

It is truly inspiring and humbling to witness someone who has overcome the odds to become successful. When someone comes from a disadvantaged background – a poor family, lack of access to resources, or other disadvantages – and still manages to make something of themselves, it is a testament to their will and determination.

Such people, through sheer hard work and dedication, have shown us that no matter the obstacles, a person can make their dreams come true. Many people believe that celebrities live in a world of their own, with luxurious homes and lifestyles that are far removed from the average person.

While this may be true for some famous people, there are many who have come from less privileged backgrounds and have had to work hard to make something of themselves. These celebrities know the challenges of regular life all too well and have had to overcome obstacles to get where they are today.

Investigating the lives of these famous people can be both inspiring and humbling. These people are true role models, demonstrating that it is possible to create something great even with limited resources.

They show us that we can all make our dreams a reality if we put in the effort and have the courage never to give up. It is also a reminder that no matter where we come from, we can still have the potential to make a difference in the world.

1. Leighton Meester

Few are aware that it was Leighton's grandmother who raised her during her childhood. This was due to the fact that her parents were incarcerated for drug-related offenses, meaning they were unable to parent Leighton.

Now at 33 years old, the actress has an estimated net worth of $5 million and has been happily married to actor Adam Brody for the past six years.

2. Jay-Z

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Jay-Z, real name Shawn Corey Carter, had a difficult childhood. His father left the family when he was very young, leaving his mother to raise him and his three siblings alone.

Growing up in a public housing complex plagued by drugs and gangs, Jay-Z even took up dealing drugs in his high school years. However, it was his career in the music industry that enabled him to turn his life around.

In just 25 years, Jay-Z has gone from selling CDs from the trunk of his car to becoming a multi-millionaire, with a net worth of $560 million

3. Tom Cruise

Growing up, Tom Cruise had a difficult childhood. With an abusive and unstable father beating him on a regular basis and not much of a stable life, it was hard for him to imagine the life he now has.

Fortunately, his mother was always there to support and encourage him to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. At 18, Tom decided to take a chance and moved to New York to pursue his dream.

Years later, he has achieved his goal - $570 million in net worth and still growing.

4. John Travolta

John Travolta had his beginnings in Englewood, New Jersey, as the sixth and last child in the family. He never obtained a high school diploma. However, he was still able to make his dreams come true by leaving for New York and getting a job on Broadway.

After that, he decided to move to Los Angeles, where his career took off after six years of hard work with the release of his top single, "Let Her In," and the role of Danny Zuko in the movie Grease in 1978. This success has made Travolta an estimated net worth of $170 million.

5. Jim Carrey

Jim, who grew up in the Toronto suburb of Newmarket, Ontario, was one of four children in a poor family. At the age of sixteen, he decided to quit school and instead focus on his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian while simultaneously working as a janitor.

Unfortunately, his family's financial situation quickly declined, and they ended up becoming homeless, living in a Volkswagen van. Now, many years later, Jim Carrey's net worth is a whopping $150 million, a testament to his talent and dedication.

6. Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker is the seventh among eight siblings born to Sarah and Robert Parker. During her childhood in Cincinnati, her family experienced living without electricity and had to forgo the luxury of celebrating birthdays and holidays.

Despite the difficulty of her upbringing, her family was always supportive of her and motivated her to pursue her ambitions. This was the primary inspiration for them all to move to New York.

Today, she has been married for almost 23 years, has an amassed net worth of over $150 million, and is a proud mother of two.

7. Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lynn Lopez hails from the Bronx alongside her two sisters. Despite her current wealth, she was raised in a much more modest environment.

Her parents kept her and her sisters on the straight and narrow whilst also encouraging their passion for dance, providing them with ample amounts of space to practice and perform.

Lopez forwent college in favor of a career in dance, despite the struggles of homelessness and financial hardship she faced along the way. She is now estimated to be worth an impressive $400 million.

Seeing people who were written off as “unsuccessful” by society, yet still managed to rise to the top, is an inspiring and powerful reminder of the power of the human spirit. It should serve as a reminder that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve greatness if they set their minds to it.

Damjan