Everyone has some goal or aspiration in life—a big house, an expensive car, a flourishing business, or a simple happy life. Whatever that choice may be, it’s not entirely smooth sailing all the way. Obstacles are encountered and slow down progress, which eventually causes temporary drawbacks. While some lose spirit, others power through the journey. The end result largely depends on the person’s attitude and perspective in life.
Many celebrities had also experienced hardships at one point in their lives, but they didn’t stop or cower from difficulties. Instead, they worked hard to a great degree and never took their focus away from their goals. Eventually, these celebrities had landed their breaks that led to their success throughout the years. Now, they’re acclaimed worldwide for their movies and television appearances. These celebrities didn’t stop until they had reached the pinnacle of success in the entertainment industry.
Keep reading to find out some of these celebrities who went from rags to riches.
Oprah Winfrey
Among the most influential, powerful, and wealthy women in America is Oprah Winfrey. But before achieving all the success that she’s enjoying now, she initially had an impoverished upbringing. She was raised by her maternal grandmother and then lived with her mother in a boarding house in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, between the age of 6 and 14. Winfrey had often slept on the porch during that time. The turning point of her life came to be when she was sent to live with her father, Vernon Winfrey, who instilled strict business investment sense, and the rest was history. Today, at age 68, Winfrey has an estimated net worth of a jaw-dropping $2.6 billion!
Tom Cruise
As one of Hollywood’s top A-listers, Tom Cruise commands respect and an enormous amount of talent fee, and some people would be surprised if they knew that the actor once lived a destitute life. His hardship began at age 11 when his father, who was an electrical engineer with a substantial salary, died soon after his mother left the family. Facing tremendous obstacles, Cruise managed to rise up and make a name for himself in the entertainment industry, raking in an estimated net worth of $600 million.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio grew up witnessing adversity in his environment, such as violence, in the mean streets of Los Angeles, at a very young age. Most people are not aware of his life as a poor youngster who was eager to get out of that situation. Not wanting to end up like the people around him, DiCaprio worked his way up the success ladder, for which he’s relishing now. He has strings of big Hollywood movies like Titanic and Revenant, among others, which brought him an estimated net worth of $260 million—credit to his determination.
Demi Moore
Demi Moore has savored the outcome of her success in the entertainment industry. But she also experienced an impoverished past, enduring two alcoholic stepfathers and living in trailer parks. She eventually had enough and moved out at the age of 16 to pursue a career in modeling. Moore also enrolled in drama classes to build her acting skills at age 17. In 1986, after launching her career in Hollywood, the actress landed a breakthrough role in the movie About Last Night. Today, Moore has approximately $200 million.