Millionaires Who Didn’t Become Rich Until Later In Life
We all know about the young billionaires that found success early in their lives, like Mark Zuckerberg and Evan Spiegel. While these people achieved incredible feats at an early age, they are certainly not the norm. Many people who make the billionaires list didn't find success until later in their lives.
Studies show that, on average, it takes a person 32 years to become a billionaire. But if you are looking to join the billionaire's club, it's never too late. Here are the millionaires and billionaires who didn't find success until much later in their lives.
Vera Wang, Estimated Net Worth: $650 Million
Vera Wang is one of the beloved icons in the fashion world and her couture outfits are worn by celebrities everywhere. However, Wang was not always a part of the fashion world. In fact, she was a former figure skater and took part in the U.S Figure Skating Championship but did not qualify for the Olympics.
After college, Wang was hired at Vogue where she worked her way up the ladder to become editor-in-chief of the magazine. It wasn't until she hit 40-years-old that she entered the fashion world and designed her own gowns. Her net worth is over $650 million today.
Martha Stewart, Estimated Net Worth: $400 Million
While it may seem like Martha Stewart has been a member of the culinary world for a long time, it wasn't until much later in life that she got her big break. After graduation, Stewart worked on Wall Street for many years.
It was only when she was remodeling her family’s home in Connecticut that she became infatuated with entertaining and catering. She then decided to write her first book, Entertaining, at age 40 which became an instant bestseller. Her net worth is $1.2 billion.
Alan Rickman, Estimated Net Worth: $16 Million
We all know Alan Rickman as Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series but the actor only got his big break much later in life. Before he was an actor, Rickman was a graphic designer who has a degree from the Chelsea College of Art and Design. However, he soon became interested in acting and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Alan Rickman got his big break at the age of 42 when he was given the role of Hans Gruber in Die Hard. He then went on to act in numerous movies including the Harry Potter franchise. Rickman has an estimated net worth of $16 million.
Samuel L. Jackson, Estimated Net Worth: $250 Million
Samuel L. Jackson is an icon in Hollywood but it wasn't until much later in his life that the actor earned his star status. Jackson majored in drama in college and after graduating he went on to act in various plays and films. He then moved to New York City, acting in stage plays.
Samuel L. Jackson got his big break at the age of 43 when he was offered a role in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever. From there he went on to act in many Hollywood movies and is an icon in the industry today. His net worth is $220 million.
Sam Walton, Estimated Net Worth: $8.6 Billion
Sam Walton is the founder of the giant retail supermarket chain, Walmart. Prior to starting Walmart, Walton had a successful career in the retail industry, first at JC Penny and then managing his own variety store called Ben Franklin stores.
He eventually founded Walmart in 1962, at age 44 which became the giant supermarket chain it is today. His emphasis on the logistics of the company was what made Walmart better than its competitors. Sam Walton has a net worth of $15 billion.
Henry Ford, Estimated Net Worth: $200 Billion
Henry Ford is the founder of the automaker Ford Motors. However, Ford created the company later in his life and his first job was an engineer in the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit, Michigan. During his time there he was introduced to Thomas Edison and with the help of the engineers who encouraged Ford to build his first automobile.
Henry Ford left the company to start his own business, the Detroit Automobile Company in 1899. It was at age 49 when he created the first Model T car that was an instant success. The car made the company what it is today. Ford had a net worth of $200 billion at the time of his death.
Stan Lee: $50 Million
Stan Lee is the creator of some of the most famous superheroes we know today. Co-creator of the marvel Empire, he is a legend in the comic book world. Lee always had an affinity towards fictional characters and wanted to reflect his own life as a comic book rather than a graphic memoir.
Lee graduated high school early, at the age of 16, and rose to fame at the age of 39 with the creation of his first comic book, Fantastic Four. Since then he went on to create numerous characters like X-Men and Spiderman that we know and love today. Lee passed away in 2018, at the age of 95, just one year after his wife of nearly 70 years passed away.
Rodney Dangerfield, Estimated Net Worth: $20 Million
Rodney Dangerfield is a comic icon known for his monologues and catchphrase "I get no respect." Dangerfield was a millionaire when he died in 2004 but he earned this status much later in life. He first worked as a salesman and did standup at night but was shunned by various comic clubs because his image was much different than other comedians.
Dangerfield got his big break when the Ed Sullivan Show needed a replacement. His performance on the show made him an instant success. He was 46 years old at this time. His net worth at the time of his death was $10 million.
David Duffield, Estimated Net Worth: $7.3 Billion
David Duffield is the CEO of the Software company, Peoplesoft. This company earned Duffield his millionaire status but it was not until much later in his life. Prior to founding PeopleSoft, Duffield created two other software companies, Integral Systems and Information Associates.
He founded in 1987 which became one of the biggest software application companies in the world. The company was bought by Oracle in 2005. Duffield was 47 when he became a millionaire and has a net worth of $1.2 billion.
Julia Child, Estimated Net Worth: $50 Million
Julia Child is a TV personality and chef. Her most noted works include Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her TV show The French Chef. But Child was not always a famous chef; she worked in advertising and only got into cooking when she met her husband whose family enjoyed cooking.
Child became a well-known chef in 1961 when she was 49 years old, which is also when she wrote her first book. At the time of her death in 1994, Child had a net worth of $38 million.
Ray Kroc, Estimated Net Worth: $600 Million
Ray Kroc is a fast food tycoon. He got his start in the industry when he joined McDonald's in 1954. At the time, the founders of the company franchised six locations. However, prior to this Kroc sold milkshake machines for many years.
In 1961, Kroc acquired McDonald’s from the owners and turned the company into the giant fast food business it is today. His acquisition of the company paid off as McDonald’s is worth $33.8 billion today. At the time of his death in 1984, Kroc had a net worth of $500 million.
Momofuku Ando, Estimated Net Worth: $100 Million
Momofuku Ando is the founder of the company Nissin Food Products. He is the brainchild behind instant ramen noodles which is popular around the world today, especially among college students. Prior to his start in the food industry, he worked in the textile business for many years.
After the war in Japan, there was a shortage of food in the country and so Ando created his instant noodle recipe at the age of 48. The noodles became an overnight success and earned Ando a net worth of $100 million.
