It is a common belief that all the celebrities are rich, but that is not true. Even though many of them get some wealth at some point in their careers, not all of them spend their money rationally. Many became poor as years go by. Here are some of the famous people who managed to stay rich for many years because of their entrepreneurial skills.
“You never find riches on a well trodden path.”— Jeffrey Fry
Mel Gibson
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Mel Gibson is a 60-years-old actor from Australia, and his net worth is $400 million. He was actually born in New York but raised in Australia. He started acting while attending the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. His first movie role was in “Summer City” for which he got only $400.
Gibson continued acting in a number of Australian plays and movies before he became a world-known actor. His most famous role is perhaps from the “Mad Max” trilogy. For the role in the “Lethal Weapon” series he received a $30 million paycheck (this amount for the fourth film only).
In 1989, he became producer and director when he cofounded Icon Productions. For the movie called “Braveheart,” Gibson got two Academy Awards, for best picture and best director – he produced, directed, and acted in this movie.
“The Passion of the Christ” (2004) was his biggest financial hit – it cost about $30 million to make and earned nearly $612 million.
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan is a 59-years-old singer from the USA. Her current net worth is around $380 million. She became famous in the 1980s as the face of the pop-disco-salsa fusion band called Miami Sound Machine. This band was founded by her husband Emilio Estefan, originally being a Spanish wedding band. Gloria soon started her solo career, and Emilio started a record company. Together they earned a combined 26 Grammys throughout their careers.
Today, the Estefans live in a four-bedroom home in Miami. Their home has its own library, a gym, and a separate guest villa. However, they weren’t always so rich. The Estefans emigrated from Cuba as children during Fidel Castro’s reign in the 1950s and grew up being poor.
They have their own multimedia entertainment company called Estefan Enterprises, a stake in the Miami Dolphins, and ownership of a string of hotels and restaurants across Florida.
In 2013, their story was made public in a Broadway musical “On Your Feet!” which the couple produced themselves.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is a 60-years-old actor from the USA. His current net worth is about $470 million. He started his career with small TV and movie roles in the 1980s and gained worldwide recognition after appearing in several critically acclaimed films, “Philadelphia,” “Forrest Gump,” “Apollo 13,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and Pixar’s “Toy Story.”
In 1998, he founded the production company Playtone. This company co-produced box-office successes “The Polar Express,” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” and “Mamma Mia!” Multiple Emmy-winning TV series were produced by this studio in partnership with HBO, including “Band of Brothers” and “Big Love.’’
Beyonce
Beyonce is a 34-years-old singer from the USA. Her current net worth is about $470 million. She was born and raised in Houston and started her career as part of the all-female pop group Destiny’s Child. She soon left this group and launched the enormously popular solo career. Her most famous catchy hits have been “Crazy in Love” and “Single Ladies.” Beyonce was a host of endorsement deals for brands like L’Oreal and has her own clothing line, the House of Deréon.
She has been acting in several movies, including “Dreamgirls” (2006) and recently married rapper Jay-Z — the couple is worth over $1 billion. Beyoncé has won 20 Grammys in total, and only for her 2013 album, featuring hits such as “***Flawless” and “Drunk in Love,” won 3 Grammys. In April 2016, she published the album “Lemonade,” on HBO, which became her sixth album to sell more than 1 million copies.
Jay-Z
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Jay-Z is a 45-years-old musician from the USA. His current net worth is $570 million. His real name is Shawn Carter, and he has been running a business empire since 2004 when he took over as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. The company bought his label Roc-A-Fella for about $10 million.
In 2007, Jay-Z sold his Rocawear (clothing label) to Iconix Brand Group for $204 million. Then he left Def Jam Recordings and founded Roc Nation.
Over the years, Jay Z has had many endorsements with brands like Duracell Powermat and Reebok as well as investments in restaurants and sports teams. He currently owns Armand de Brignac, a Champagne brand; the 40/40 Club, a chain of sports bars and lounges; and Tidal, a music streaming service.
