Lost It All
Cautionary tales of fortunes earned and spectacularly lost.
Nicolas Cage
$25M
Made over $150 million acting. Spent it on a dinosaur skull, two European castles, a pet octopus, and a tomb shaped like a pyramid.
Whitney Houston
$20M
Whitney Houston sold over 200 million records worldwide and earned an estimated $400 million during her career, yet her estate was worth only $20 million at her death. Where did one of music's greatest voices lose nearly 95% of her wealth?
Mike Tyson
$10M
Mike Tyson earned over $300 million in his boxing career but declared bankruptcy in 2003. Now at 57, Iron Mike has clawed his way back to a $10 million net worth through podcasts, cannabis, and yes, biting ears on screen.
MC Hammer
$2M
Made $33 million in a single year. Had a staff of 200 people and a $30 million house. Filed for bankruptcy owing $13 million.
Allen Iverson
$1M
The NBA legend who earned over $200 million during his career but filed for bankruptcy in 2012. Thanks to a brilliant Reebok deal structure, Iverson still has a financial lifeline that kicks in when he turns 55.
Marilyn Monroe
$800K
Hollywood's most iconic blonde died with just $800,000 to her name despite commanding $100,000 per film (equivalent to $1M today). Her estate now generates $8 million annually, proving she was worth more dead than alive.