New Jersey-born Martha Stewart, 80, changed direction a couple of times before becoming the homemaking icon we all know today. While attending college, she earned extra money as a model, working for industry giant Chanel.
Then, after a stint as a Wall Street stockbroker, Stewart turned her love of gourmet cooking and creative presentation into what is now Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Despite a stretch in prison for insider trading and fraud, Stewart has bounced back and her lifestyle brand has brought her a wealth of around $400 million (£306.5m).
The 72-year-old New York-based fashion designer has a degree in art history and worked as a journalist for Vogue before entering the fashion industry, aged 40. She has made wedding gowns for the likes of Chelsea Clinton, Ivanka Trump, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham and the Kardashians, and her net worth is estimated at $500 million (£383m), according to Forbes. However, fashion wasn't always Wang's major passion…
While in high school, Wang was hopeful of making a career out of ice skating, training with pairs partner James Stuart, and competing at the 1968 US Figure Skating Championships. However, when she failed to make the US Olympics team, she decided to enter the fashion industry.
Not content with being a two-time Academy Award winner, the 84-year-old New York-born actress and daughter of actor Henry Fonda rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Cat Ballou, Barefoot in the Park and Barbarella. However, she had another career trick up her sleeve...
In 1982, the actress released her first exercise video, Jane Fonda's Workout, inspired by her hit book, which became the highest-selling VHS of all time. It would be the first of 22 workout videos released by her over the next 13 years which would collectively sell over 17 million copies. After a 15-year hiatus, she released two new fitness videos on DVD in 2010, aiming at an older audience. Her net worth estimated at $200 million (£153.2m)
One of the richest men in Brazil with a net worth of of $15.6 billion (£11.9bn), Lemann's business empire comprises of fast-food chain Burger King, ketchup brand Heinz, the world's largest brewer Anheuser-Busch and many more. The self-made billionaire founded the 'Brazilian Goldman Sachs' Banco Garantia in 1971 and had always been very good at mergers and acquisitions. However, initially, the 82-year-old planned on pursuing a different career.
Lemann was once an avid tennis player and even intended a professional career. The Swiss Brazilian won the national championships five times, participated in the Davis Cup twice and also played at Wimbledon. But when he realized the competition was hard to beat, he developed new ambitions. "I quit playing professional tennis when I realized it would be hard to be among the 10 best in the world," Lemann once said. He then moved onto becoming one of the best businessmen in the world.
Before the 70-year-old musician became famous as the frontman for the Police, Sting was plain old Mr Gordon Sumner, English teacher and soccer coach at a primary school in Cramlington, Northumberland. He has said that his parents thought he was crazy to give up a steady job like that.
However, his career decision proved to be a wise one as the Police went on to sell 75 million records worldwide and Sting's solo career another 25 million. The man formerly known as Mr Sumner is now estimated to be worth $287 million (£220m) according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2021. Sting has said that his children will not inherit his fortune, saying his riches are "albatrosses round their necks", and that "there won't be much money left because we are spending it".
The English physicist, 54, serves as Professor of Particle Physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester and has been the author or co-author of over 950 scientific publications. He is best known as the presenter of The Wonders of... series, with his fame boosting his coffers to the tune of around $8 million (£6.1m). However, before he was on TV discussing stars, he was actually a star in his own right…
Cox first enjoyed fame as the keyboard player with band DARE (pictured far right, with the rest of the group), and later D: Ream, who are now best remembered for their hit Things Can Only Get Better which was adopted as the anthem of Tony Blair’s New Labour when he swept to power in the British elections of 1997. "When you're 18, 19, 20 years old, you're not thinking: pop music is a waste of my intellect. You're thinking: this is brilliant,” Cox told The Guardian.
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Alba, 40, began acting in Hollywood in 1994 and went on to find success in roles in television shows such as Dark Angel, as well as films including Fantastic Four, Honey and Into The Blue. Although she didn’t completely set aside her showbiz career, she did shift focus in 2012.
Alba founded The Honest Company in 2012. The firm sells toxin-free household goods, diapers, and body care products, an idea inspired by an expectant Alba's desire to use non-toxic products for her new child's wellbeing. Alba is estimated to be worth around $340 million (£260.4m).
It's hard to believe that Ford was not always a full-time actor. But the man who would go on to star as Indiana Jones and Han Solo spent 15 years as a professional self-taught carpenter making film and TV sets, even acting as a stage hand in the late 1960s for rock band The Doors.
After his performance in American Graffiti, Ford gave up acting for the financial stability of carpentry. But he was fortuitously hired to build sound stages for then little-known producer George Lucas. Impromptu script-readings for Lucas led to Ford's discovery by Steven Spielberg and his casting as Han Solo in Star Wars. The rest, as they say, is Hollywood history and Ford is now worth around $230 million (£176.2m).
Austrian-born Schwarzenegger, 74, whose catchphrase is "I’ll be back", has made not one, but two major career changes. First, he transitioned from world champion bodybuilder in his 20s to Hollywood actor in his 30s, starring in blockbusters such as True Lies, Total Recall and The Terminator movies. He is worth a stunning $400 million (£306.5m). However, Arnie’s biggest transformation was still to come…
Schwarzenegger had it all: wealth, fame, a hugely successful career as a Hollywood film star. But, aged 56, he set aside his acting career to vie for Gubernatorial office in California's 2003 election. Running as a Republican, Schwarzenegger won with more than 48% of the popular vote. He remained in office until 2011, leaving with a career-low 23% approval rating.
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He was the king of trashy talk shows during the 1990s, amassing a wealth of $60 million (£46m). However, before he was on TV refereeing arguments and giving viewers his Thought for the Day, Springer, now 78, was involved in plenty of debates, of a political nature, himself.
Springer served as Mayor of Cincinnati and ran for Governor of Ohio. After he lost that bid, he was offered a job as a local news anchor because the station thought that as a former mayor he would know the city. It was from there that his showbiz career took off.
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Before being elected President of the United States, Trump, 75, wasn't only a billionaire real estate mogul but also a star of the screen. The businessman cameoed on TV shows Spin City, Sex and the City and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as popping up on the big screen in Zoolander and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. However, his most memorable TV role was as star of The Apprentice. Let’s not forget, he was also involved in sports entertainment before entering the White House…
Trump, who has a personal fortune of $2.5 billion (£1.9bn) is a huge WWE fan and good friend of owner Vince McMahon. He has hosted two Wrestlemania events in his Trump Plaza and appeared at WrestleMania 23 in the corner of Bobby Lashley for the "Hair vs. Hair" match. He even had a feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin, who said he would "open up an eight-billion-dollar can of whoop-ass" and serve it to the billionaire businessman.
By the time Foreman retired for the second time in 1997, his little sideline had developed into a hugely successful business. Two years later, he sold the naming right of his grill firm to Salter for $138 million (£105.7m). Today, the ex-champ is estimated to be worth $300 million (£230m).
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Twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen found fame in the 1990s starring in the TV sitcom Full House, and the enterprising siblings set up a production company in 1993 called Dualstar, significantly boosting their income. But the big bucks really flowed when they quit acting and moved into fashion.
Capitalizing on their style know-how and huge fanbase, the duo partnered with Walmart before establishing their very own high-end fashion label called the Row in 2006, which has since spawned several other best-selling lines, including Elizabeth and James and Olsenboye. Combined, the twins are estimated to be worth $500 million (£383.2m).
The former pop star released her debut album in 1999 and scored several top 20 hits in the US before starring with her then-husband Nick Lachey in popular MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which ran from 2003 to 2005, as well as the 2005 Dukes of Hazzard movie.
A savvy businesswoman, Simpson has made millions from fashion since her music and movie career waned in the mid-2000s. Her eponymous clothing line, which she founded in 2005, has generated billions in revenue. Today, Simpson is estimated to be worth $200 million (£153.3m).
Kathy Ireland was a supermodel during the 1980s and early 1990s, walking in top shows and gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine three times. The runway and cover star made a decent living from her modelling gigs but really started bringing home the bacon when she founded her brand marketing company kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW) in 1993.
Ireland was coached by close friend Warren Buffett and the investment guru's business advice has certainly paid off. Ireland was worth $420 million (£322m) in 2015, according to Forbes. Her business, which markets everything from clothing to homeware, has generated billions of dollars.
Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood actor prior to his presidency. He began as a radio announcer at several stations in the early 30s, before being offered a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers studios where he is pictured here with actress Margaret Lindsay. His best film is considered to be King's Row, where he played a double amputee, and said the line "Where's the rest of me?" which he used as the title of his autobiography. Reagan really entered American hearts as the host of TV show General Electric Theater in the 1950s.
However, Reagan was always interested in politics and joined several political committees. But it was in 1967 when he was elected Governor of California that his political aspirations started to become a reality. He was elected President of the United States in 1980, with his first term starting in 1981 when he was aged 69. He served two terms and is best remembered for his contribution to the end of the Cold War and his 'War on drugs'.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest African soccer players of all time, Liberian striker Weah played for clubs in Italy, England and France such as AC Milan (pictured here in 1995), Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain from the late 1980s to his retirement in 2003. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995 and won several titles throughout his soccer career. However, the 55-year-old had always been engaged in politics too.
After retiring as professional soccer player, Weah first ran for President of Liberia in 2005 and fostered his reputation as politician until he was finally elected in 2017, making him one of the youngest presidents in Africa. His inauguration in 2018 was attended by African soccer stars Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o. The president still enjoys playing a match when he has the time.
Another sportsman-turned-businessman, Tiriac, 82, pursued a successful career as a tennis player before he started numerous enterprises and investments in his native Romania. The tycoon made his $1.6 billion (£1.2bn) fortune mainly with banking and insurance deals and has also invested in real estate, auto dealerships, and petroleum distribution.
Having won the ping pong championship as a child, Tiriac first switched to ice hockey before he decided to become a professional tennis player. In the 1960s and 1970s, he participated in all four Grand Slam tournaments, played three Davis Cup finals (the 1972 final is pictured here) and won the men's doubles in the 1970 French Open with compatriot Ilie Năstase. Even though tennis is only a small part of his portfolio as a businessman today, Tiriac supports smaller tournaments across Europe and still enjoys attending matches.
Cameron Diaz started out as a model in her teens before rising to stardom in the 1990s in films like The Mask (pictured) and There’s Something About Mary. In 2013, the Hollywood Reporter claimed Diaz was the highest paid actress over the age of 40, but despite her success, she retired from the silver screen in 2014.
Diaz quit Hollywood to focus on her mental health and her family. Since then, she’s released two self-help books and boosted her fortune by investing in health and biotech start-ups. Today, the former actress is estimated to be worth $140 million (£107.4m).
Rihanna rose to fame in the 2000s with hits like Pon de Replay and Umbrella. Despite selling over 250 million records worldwide, the bulk of her staggering $1.7 billion (£1.3bn) fortune doesn’t come from her music career…
In 2017, Rihanna switched from music to make-up by launching her Fenty Beauty line (pictured). The cosmetics company, which she co-owns with high-end retailer LVMH, made more than $550 (£421.8m) in revenues in 2020. Business-savvy Rihanna also owns a 30% stake in the lingerie line Savage x Fenty, which was valued at $1 billion (£767m) in 2021.
Gwyneth Paltrow may have made a name for herself as an actress, starring in everything from Oscar-winning period drama Shakespeare in Love to Marvel blockbuster Iron Man, but nowadays she mostly hits headlines for her controversial lifestyle brand, Goop.
Launched in 2008, Goop is now valued at an impressive $250 million (£192m). In 2020, Netflix even made a documentary series about the polarising wellness company. As for Paltrow, the actress turned entrepreneur is estimated to be worth $150 million (£115.2m).