It?s fair to say that a lot of celebrities we see today are born into money, because at the end of the day it?s easier to start at the top than the bottom.
But these 10 celebrities went from some horrible experiences to end up being worth millions (sometimes billions) of dollars.
Meester?s mother gave birth to her while serving time in prison.
#9 Hilary Swank ? $40 million
Swank lived in a trailer park back in Washington with only her mother to care for her and her two siblings.
#8 Sarah Jessica Parker ? $90 million
Sarah Jessica Parker and her family lived on welfare for many years.
#7 Jim Carrey ? $150 million
Jim even had to quit school and work as a security guard and a janitor at age 15 because his family was so poor.
#6 Demi Moore ? $150 million
Demi had to endure two alcoholic stepfathers and lived in trailer parks.
#5 Leonardo Dicaprio ? $200 million
Dicaprio saw violence, prostitution, and drugs at a very young age growing up on the mean streets of LA.
#4 Shania Twain ? $350 million
Her mother and stepfather were in an abusive relationship and Shania ended up in foster care.
#3 Tom Cruise ? $500 million
Cruise ended up an orphan after his mother left the family home and his dad passed away.
#2 J.K. Rowling ? $1 billion
Rowling, one of the most famous rags to riches stories brought up her child on welfare before hitting it big.
#1 Oprah Winfrey ? $2.9 billion
Her life as a poor child from a poor family is no secret. She lived with her grandmother and moved in with her unsupportive mother.