4 Celebrities Who Grew Up in Poverty

We often forget when we are worshipping our famous celebrities that many of them started out just like regular people. Some even went from rags to riches. These stories are so inspiring because it feels like anybody could have the same breaks go their way. They could be the next big star who is no longer struggling in poverty. 

But how do you go about creating your own tale of perseverance? And does it have to end with you winning an Academy Award or NBA MVP for it to be successful? Let's discuss some of the best examples of celebrities who grew up poor and crafted a better life for themselves to their family. How did they do it? What is available for others to carve their own path? 

Welfare car insurance, food stamps, and charity events are all options to get you started with some help. After you pursue these options, what else can you do? Let's learn from some of the most famous people on the planet. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo

This NBA superstar is a multiple-time MVP and a champion in his sport of basketball. He is one of the most popular players in the league because of his unique skillset and fun personality. But before he became a legendary athlete, Giannis Antetokounmpo grew up in poverty with several brothers in Greece.

He didn't know how to get to his dream of being an NBA player at the time, so he sold shoes with his siblings to people on the streets of his hometown. This shows his incredible work ethic and desire to do whatever it takes to get out of the conditions he was placed into at a young age. 

This money was used to help support his parents and aid them in their efforts to make a good life for themselves. In the United States, you can also receive money from welfare programs if you have a large family like the Antetokounmpos. Look at what your annual salary is, and apply for food stamps and government-assisted medicine like Medicaid. 

If you need help paying for other essentials like car insurance, you can get that aid in states like California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. In California, you can apply for cheap insurance if your driving record is clean and your car is worth less than $25,000. This can help even those with less income to qualify for policies from the top car insurance companies.

Remember that Giannis's specific dream of becoming a basketball player was helped by the genetic situation he was gifted. He is over 7 feet tall and weighs more than 250 pounds. These traits helped him tremendously. If you are not predisposed to greatness in a field that requires certain talents, try to look for career opportunities that fit your specific makeup. 

J.K. Rowling

The author J.K. Rowling is most known for writing the world-famous Harry Potter books. There is the famous story of her writing the first chapter of the story on a napkin in a coffee shop. While this anecdote is interesting, it is also inspiring. It demonstrates Rowling's ability to put her ideas down onto a tangible surface at the lowest point in her life. 

If you want to pursue a creative field as Rowling did, you need to have great confidence in your abilities. It took her years to get the books published, but she kept at it until she found her big break. Find out what makes your work different from other artists and authors. 

It's not necessarily that her books are better written than others in the fantasy genre. It's that she figured out a specific way to tell her story that would resonate with the audience she was targeting, which was young adults and pre-teens. Once you find your niche, you will have a better chance of success. 

Dolly Parton

This famous country singer was born into a farming family of 12 kids in Tennessee. She didn't have much growing up, and she had to lean on her family's love of music to overcome poverty. The American South is one of the hotbeds for her genre of music, and the location was eventually a key contributor to her talents being seen by managers in her hometown. 

Think about what your city is known for. If you have any sort of skill in these areas like Parton did, you should think about trying out what you've got. It's all about putting yourself in the most positive position and controlling what you can. Taking advantage of cultural touchstones in your home state is always a great idea. 

Aaron Paul

If you have ever watched the critically acclaimed television show Breaking Bad, then you probably love the character Jesse Pinkman. The second most important role in this show, Jesse is a tragic character who makes mistakes throughout the series.

His character arc is similar in many ways to that of the man who plays him, Aaron Paul. The Emmy-awarded actor hustled for nearly a decade by himself in Los Angeles after deciding to move there and pursue a Hollywood career as a teenager. 

After doing small parts in other shows and commercials for cereal and other products, Paul caught his big break in the famous AMC crime drama. He claims he only asked his parents for money one time, instead of living out of a studio apartment and frugally surviving before success. 

He is an exception to the other people on the list because he didn't grow up in poverty. He still is an example of someone who made it big after being financially unstable for an incredibly long time. This is, in many ways, just as impressive as growing up poor. He experienced a middle-class life and gave it away to attempt an even bigger and better lifestyle.

If you're thinking about moving to get a better career, look into the states or countries that have the most affordable rates on things like homes and cars. This advantage can allow you to live more comfortably while looking for the work that you desire. 

No matter what celebrity you look up to, remember that your life differs from theirs in many ways. You can be inspired by their work ethic and talents, but remember your worth, too. Use resources that we've talked about and that just might tide you over until the darkness passes into the light. 

Shawn Laib writes and researches for the car insurance site, CarInsuranceComparison.com. He wants to help people understand the resources they have to succeed in life despite tough situations.