It's commendable for a celebrity who is already rich to try and make a name for themselves. Some stars are alright with living off of their families' money. However, some stars made it their goal to build a legacy of their own. Celebrity career trajectories are unique. Some celebs have rag-to-riches stories. Others didn't make it big until later in life. Some stars made it big and then had to or decided to work regular jobs again.
These stars mentioned already had an impressive net worth and only added to it over time. Money is not everything. It can't buy complete happiness. However, it does help celebs have a leg up in an industry that's hard to stand out in with everyone trying to be an A-List celebrity. Let's see which of your favorite stars had a big bank account before making it big.
10 Carly Simon
Carly Simon is most known for her song "You're So Vain," which peaked at #1 in 1973 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. In 2001, Janet Jackson collaborated with Simon and Missy Elliot on "Son Of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You." The song samples her classic song. So, what did Simon's dad do before she became a platinum-selling artist? Her father is Richard L. Simon, the co-founder of a publishing company. As of 2016, it was the third-largest publishing company in the United States.
9 Anderson Cooper
Cooper's claim to fame is being a CNN anchor. However, the signature silver-haired anchor had an affluent mother. Gloria Vanderbilt was a part of one of the wealthiest families at a point in time. The late fashion designer and heiress had a net worth of over $200 million. However, while Cooper doesn't have a rags-to-riches story, he claims that he didn't receive a dime of his late mother's money, nor does he believe in inheriting money. He wanted to become rich by himself, and that he did, earning around $12 million a year.
8 Zoë Kravitz
Kravitz has had roles in movies such as The Divergent installments and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Kravitz has an impressive acting career. With her mom being The Cosby Show's Lisa Bonet and her dad being rocker Lenny Kravitz, one can assume that life for her might have been financially stable with or without an acting career. However, it's lovely that she followed in her mom's footsteps.
7 Robin Thicke
When Robin Thicke first came out, he, too, had a humble sound. Nothing about his music sounded pretentious or braggadocios. Plus, what's even more notable is that his appearance also didn't scream "Hollywood rich kid" with his long, shaggier hair and the fact that he rode a bike through the streets of Manhattan. However, his late father is Alan Thicke, the star of Growing Pains and his mom is actress and singer Gloria Loring. Even with his family being megastars, Thicke wanted a music career and worked on achieving it, although his career had its highs and lows.
6 Adam Levine
When Maroon 5 first came out, they had an indie sound that could make a person assume that Adam Levine came from humble beginnings. However, Levine grew up in Brentwood, California, which is an expensive suburb. Levine's father owned and operated M. Frederic, which is a popular retail chain store.
5 Ariana Grande
People first took notice of a red-haired Ariana Grande on Nickelodeon's Victorious and Sam & Cat. Then, her songs warmed their way into the hearts of millions with her impressive vocal stylings. People can rarely hit whistle notes, which makes her so talented. The "The Way" singer currently has an estimated net worth of 180 million dollars. However, both of her parents are successful. Joan Grande, her mother, was the CEO of Hose-McCann Communications, a manufacturing firm. Her dad, Edward Grande, owned a graphic design firm in Florida.
4 Tracee Ellis Ross
Everyone knows that Tracee Ellis Ross is superstar and singer Diana Ross' daughter, but she created an identity all her own. Many people would agree that she didn't ride on the coattails of her mother's success. She made her breakthrough in the hit TV show Girlfriends, and the equally (if not more) successful Black-ish lasted for seven seasons. Not to mention, Tracee Ross has a natural hair care line called Pattern.
3 Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan established herself as a star in movies such as The Parent Trap, Mean Girls, and Freaky Friday. Sadly, Lohan lost the millions she made. However, her lucrative acting career wasn't her first taste of being reasonably well off due to her parents. Her estranged father is a former Wall Street trader, and her mother is a former singer and dancer.
2 Lady Gaga
The "Poker Face" singer grew up in a Catholic upper-middle-class family. Her mother, Cynthia Louise, was a business executive, and her dad was an Internet entrepreneur. It appears as if Gaga got her work ethic from her parents because both grew up in lower-class households and worked hard for all they had. Gaga's estimated net worth is a whopping $320 million!
1 Robin Williams
The late and great Robin Williams made millions of people laugh in movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire and brought life to Aladdin by voice acting Genie. He is undeniably comedy royalty. However, some people didn't know that his father was a senior executive Lincoln-Mercury Division at the Ford Motor Company. His great-great-grandfather was even the Mississippi governor. The Williams family seems to have come from a long line of money.