Money talks and it’s got quite a story to tell. The term ‘self-made millionaire’ gets thrown around a lot, painting pictures of rags-to-riches tales and overnight success. But the truth is often a bit more complicated. Behind many of these so-called self-made fortunes lies a not-so-little secret: inheritance.
Here, I highlight 15 famous millionaires who are often hailed as self-made success stories. The catch? They actually got a pretty big head start thanks to family money.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump inherited a substantial fortune from his father, Fred Trump. His dad’s real estate empire gave him a massive head start in the business world. Trump took over the family company and expanded it, but he wasn’t starting from zero. Despite claiming to be self-made, Trump actually received hundreds of millions of dollars from his father over the years.
Kylie Jenner
Forbes once called Kylie Jenner, the youngest “self-made” billionaire. However, she grew up in a wealthy and famous family. The Kardashian-Jenner name gave her instant recognition and opportunities. Kylie’s cosmetics company became hugely successful, but her family’s wealth and connections played a big role in her quick rise to riches.
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton is an heiress to the Hilton Hotels fortune. She was born into extreme wealth and used her family name to build her own brand. While Paris has created successful businesses, her inherited wealth and famous last name opened many doors. Her family connections helped her become a reality TV star and launch various product lines.
Anderson Cooper
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is the son of heiress Gloria Vanderbilt. Though he’s built his own career in journalism, Cooper comes from one of America’s richest families. He inherited a large sum when his mother passed away. Cooper’s background gave him access to elite education and networking opportunities that helped launch his career.
Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney’s father, George Romney, was a successful businessman and politician. Mitt grew up in a wealthy household and received a top-notch education. He went on to have a successful career in business and politics. While Romney worked hard, his family’s wealth and connections gave him significant advantages from the start.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk often portrays himself as a self-made billionaire. However, his family was quite wealthy in South Africa. Musk’s father reportedly owned an emerald mine, which provided a comfortable lifestyle. This wealth allowed Musk to get an excellent education and take risks in his early business ventures. While Musk has certainly achieved a lot, he had a significant financial cushion to start with.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus is actually part of a billionaire family. Her father’s company, Louis Dreyfus Group, is a massive commodities and shipping corporation. While Julia made her own name in acting, her family’s wealth provided a safety net. This allowed her to pursue her passion for comedy without financial worries.
Armie Hammer
Actor Armie Hammer is the great-grandson of oil tycoon Armand Hammer. He grew up with immense privilege and wealth. Hammer’s family connections helped him break into Hollywood. While he’s had success as an actor, his family’s fortune allowed him to pursue his career without financial pressure.
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields started her modeling and acting career very young. What many don’t know is that she comes from a wealthy family. Her grandmother was an Italian princess, and her father was a Revlon executive. This background gave Shields access to opportunities in the entertainment industry from an early age.
Tory Burch
Fashion designer Tory Burch grew up in a wealthy family in Pennsylvania. Her father was an investor, and she had a privileged upbringing. Burch’s family connections and financial support helped her launch her fashion brand. While she’s built a successful company, her inherited wealth provided a strong foundation.
Ivanka Trump
Like her father, Ivanka Trump inherited significant wealth and connections. She grew up in luxury and had access to top education and business opportunities. Ivanka’s success in business and her political career were greatly helped by her family’s wealth and influence. Her “self-made” image overlooks the massive advantages she had from birth.
Stellan Skarsgård
Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård comes from a wealthy family in Stockholm. His parents were well-connected in Swedish society, providing him with a privileged upbringing. This background gave Skarsgård access to quality education and early opportunities in acting. While he’s proven his talent in many films, his family’s status in Sweden helped launch his career. Skarsgård’s comfortable start in life allowed him to pursue acting without financial pressure.
Ariana Rockefeller
Ariana Rockefeller is part of one of America’s most famous wealthy families. She’s the great-great-granddaughter of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. While Ariana has pursued her own business ventures, she started with enormous wealth and connections. Her family name has opened many doors in business and society.
Laurene Powell Jobs
Laurene Powell Jobs inherited billions when her husband, Steve Jobs, passed away. While she’s done impressive work in philanthropy and business, her massive wealth came from her late husband’s success at Apple. Powell Jobs has used her inherited fortune to become an influential investor and philanthropist in her own right.
Margaretta Taylor
Margaretta Taylor is an heiress to the Cox Enterprises fortune. The media company was founded by her grandfather, and she inherited a significant stake. Taylor’s wealth comes primarily from this family business. While she’s involved in philanthropy, her status as a billionaire is due to inherited assets rather than self-made success.
Canada Tightens the Tap on Temporary Foreign Worker Influx
Canada Tightens the Tap on Temporary Foreign Worker Influx
11 Eye-Opening Reasons Why People Cheat Instead of Leaving
11 Eye-Opening Reasons Why People Cheat Instead of Leaving
10 Historical Figures Who Vanished Without a Trace
