Most celebrities started at the bottom and built their legacy and bank accounts. However, some were below the poverty line or lived in miserable conditions, proving that struggling pays out to themselves and the world.

Here are 9+ celebrities who were not born with silver spoons but became household names!

1. Jim Carrey

The famous comedian lived in a van with his family while they all worked as security guards and janitors.

The Carrey family life came crashing down once the man of the house was left jobless:

"My father lost his job when he was 51, and that was the real 'wow,' the kick in the guts."

Once Carrey's career took off, and he became the star of Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber, everything changed for the better.

2. Nicki Minaj

Nicki is worth over 85 million today, but while she was growing up, things were far from ideal.

She spoke that her main goal was to earn money and help her mother. Nicki watched as her father sold out stuff from home to get drugs during her childhood.

Minaj kept her promise to her mom and became one of the best-known rappers worldwide!

3. Demi Moore

Demi was not merely poor. She was raised by alcoholic parents and was sexually abused as a teen.

She came to Hollywood, and as she told The Guardian in 2007:

"I entered this career having no background or connection to acting. I had so little I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking the risk."

Soon enough, she became part of the Brat Pack and the 80s icon.

4. Hilary Swank

Like Demi Morre, Hilary also lived in a trailer park, but things worsened once her mother lost her job.

The two lived in their car, but, as we all know it, once she was cast in Boys Don't Cry, Swank became one of the most popular actresses and is worth $40 million.

5. Jennifer Lopez

Lopez was homeless at 18, but the dancer, actor, singer, and one of the most prominent female entrepreneurs never lacked enthusiasm.

Now in her 50s, the mother of two is worth over 400 million, but it is not all about the money. J. Lo still works just as hard because that's how disciplined she is.

6. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah's epic rise is an inspiration to millions.

The media mogul struggled with poverty and sexual abuse as a child and a teenager. In her interviews, she revealed heartbreaking moments:

"I know what it feels like to be abandoned. I know what it feels like to not be wanted."

But she always felt hopeful:

"I know what it feels like to not be loved ... and yet have inside yourself a yearning, a passion, a desire, a hope for something better."

Eventually, she became a household name and one of the best journalist and talk show hosts ever!

7. Leonardo DiCaprio

DiCaprio often takes his mother to his massive premiers, and it is no secret that no other woman can come close to his mom.

Once his parents divorced, the single mom worked several jobs at once to keep her child fed.

The acting was a way to help the family, as he explained to Telegraph:

"Money was always on my mind when I was growing up. So I was always wondering how we were going to afford this and that. Acting seemed to be a shortcut out of the mess."

It turned out that not only was a way to earn money, but Leonardo's talent made him a multimillionaire with a career spanning over three decades.

8. J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter author was a single mom living on welfare.

She got to the typewriter and started working on a masterpiece by pure chance.

The book changed her life, and she never looked back.

9. Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester won us over in Gossip Girl.

Soon, the world learned about her childhood, which was the polar opposite of her role as Blair Waldorf. Meester was born in prison!

She talked about her upbringing:

"I couldn't relate to kid stuff. 'Jimmy doesn't like me!' Who cares? I was worried we didn't have gas money or food. Those were my concerns."

10. Mark Wahlberg

Former Marky Mark, the rapper and model, became one of the most bankable actors, a respected name in the industry.

He was part of the wrong crowds in his youth, sold drugs, and fought a lot. Though he did not have it as bad as many others, Mark's life took a turn for the better once he realized there's more to life than being on the streets.

11. Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber started a career thanks to YouTube and his mother's devotion.

When it comes to his childhood, the Canadian superstar recalled: "being poor and being teased by other kids."

Like Leo, he wanted to make it big and help his mom:

"I remember sitting in restaurants with my mother and she'd make me order water instead of soda. I remember so badly wanting to order a soda. And I also remember that when I got my first big pay check I was so glad to be able to use that money to take care of my mother."

12. Mariah Carey

The beloved singer grew up in poverty.

She revealed bits of her childhood on her show:

"I moved to Manhattan alone as a teenage girl. It was an exciting time for me, even though I had nothing."

"I lived, like, on a mattress on the floor. I was writing my songs and being a horrible waitress. My demo tape ended up at Sony and they signed it away."

13. Céline Dion

The youngest of 14 children, Canadian superstar Celine Dion, grew up in poverty.

She got a big break, found the love of her life, and the rest is history!

Whose story inspired you the most?