Money Gone: Famous People Who Lost Everything đź’¸
Not a Medium member? You can read this article here
They had it all — fame, fortune, and lives most of us can only dream of. But in a twist that sounds straight out of a movie, some of the biggest celebrities and athletes went from millions to nearly nothing. How does it happen? Are they just bad with money, or is there more to the story?
In this article, we’ll uncover the shocking stories behind the stars who lost it all and the surprisingly simple mistakes that brought them down. And the best part? We’ll break down what you can learn from their slip-ups to keep your own finances on track — whether you’re a big earner or just trying to make the most of what you have.
The Biggest Money Losers
Mike Tyson: The boxing champ made $300–400 million but blew it on tigers, mansions, and luxury cars — his tigers alone cost $70,000 a year to feed!
MC Hammer: After earning $33 million, the “Can’t Touch This” star lost it all by 1996, largely from employing 200 people, costing him $500,000 every month.
Nicolas Cage: With $150 million in earnings, Cage spent on 15 houses, a dinosaur skull, and even castles. Now, he takes on multiple movie roles to stay afloat.
Allen Iverson: The NBA star made $155 million but spent most of it. His saving grace? A $32 million trust fund he can’t touch until 2030, helping him make a financial comeback.
đźš« 5 Big Mistakes They All Made
1. Spent Too Much
- Buying big houses
- Getting expensive cars
- Throwing huge parties
2. Trusted Wrong People
- Hired too many friends
- Listened to bad advice
- Didn’t check who was handling their money
3. Didn’t Save
- Thought money would always come
- Spent everything they made
- No emergency savings
4. Made Bad Investments
- Bought things that lost value
- Invested in friends’ bad business ideas
- Didn’t research before spending
5. Forgot About Taxes
- Didn’t save money for taxes
- Got in trouble with the government
- Had to pay big fines
đź’ˇ How to Not Lose Your Money
1. Use the 50/30/20 Rule
- 50% for needs (house, food)
- 30% for wants (fun stuff)
- 20% for savings
2. Think Before Buying
Ask yourself:
- “Do I need this?”
- “Will this make me money?”
- “Can I afford this next year too?”
3. Get Smart Help
- Find a good money advisor
- Don’t trust just anyone
- Learn about money yourself
🎯 Quick Tips to Remember
1. Save some money every month
2. Don’t buy stuff just to look rich
3. Learn about taxes
4. Keep some emergency money
5. Don’t trust everyone with your money
đź’ Think About This
Imagine winning $1 million tomorrow. What would you do? After reading these stories, would you:
- Buy a mansion?
- Save it?
- Start a business?
- Invest it?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
Note: All money amounts are from public records and news reports. Some numbers might be different in different reports.