It’s no secret that showbiz offers fame and fortune to everyone who succeeds. People from almost all entertainment professions, whether actors, directors, show hosts, producers, or singers, have earned crazy amounts of money by proving themselves on the big stage. But not all owe their wealth to showbiz earnings alone. Some celebs were born with a silver spoon and lived rich lives even before making a name for themselves in the industry.
Taylor Swift
One of the biggest pop stars in the world right now, Taylor Swift grew up in a wealthy family. Her father, Scott Swift, is a broker, financial advisor, and the founder of a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management group called The Swift Group. Her mother, Andrea Swift, was a marketing executive before becoming a stay-at-home mom. With such extraordinary careers in the family, Taylor has had quite an opulent life since childhood. But that didn’t stop her from working hard. Taylor went on to become a billionaire in 2023 based on her singing career alone!
Jake Gyllenhaal and Maggie Gyllenhaal
The Gyllenhaal siblings not only had a wealthy background growing up but also had family connections in the entertainment industry. Their father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, is a prominent director who has directed some of the most successful TV series, such as The Mentalist and Billions. He also directed the movie A Killing in a Small Town, which earned him an Emmy nomination. Waterland, A Dangerous Woman, and Losing Isaiah are a few of his other movies.
Like their father, Jake and Maggie’s mother, Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, is a prominent part of Hollywood. She is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter who has written several feature films. The most popular one, Running on Empty, earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe.
Bradley Cooper
The Hangover star also comes from an affluent family. Bradley Cooper’s father, Charles Cooper, was a stockbroker who worked with Merrill Lynch, while his mother, Gloria Campano, used to work for NBC. Owing to this, Bradley grew up in a well-to-do household. In fact, he is even known for attending one of the most prestigious schools in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, the Germantown Academy. It’s an elite private school with a 263-year legacy.
Emma Stone
One of the most admired actors of recent times, Emma Stone was born and brought up in Arizona. Her father, Jeffrey Stone, is the founder, CEO, and president of a construction company. Being a multi-millionaire, Jeff is said to have kept the La La Land actor far from financial hardships.
Ed Sheeran
In addition to his prowess in singing and songwriting, The Perfect singer has a deeper connection with arts. Ed Sheeran’s parents are said to have founded an independent art consultancy called Sheeran Lock, which ran for two decades, from 1990 to 2010. During these 20 years, the company prospered by hosting various exhibitions, including the United Nations Millennium Exhibition in New York.
Before founding the company, Ed’s parents used to work in different art galleries. Ed’s father, John, was a curator at the Cartwright Hall, an art gallery in Bradford, England, while his mother, Imogen, worked at the Manchester City Art Gallery. Today, Imogen has an active career as a jewelry designer. Thanks to the prosperous careers of both of his parents, Ed has had quite a fortunate life growing up.
Edward Norton
The Fight Club star’s wealthy background traces back to his grandfather. Edward’s grandpa, James Rouse, founded The Rouse Company. This company is known to have built some of the first enclosed shopping malls in the country, including the Harborplace in Baltimore and the South Street Seaport in New York City. But James is not the only one to be credited. Even Norton’s father ensured he had no trouble as a child. His father, Edward Mower Norton Jr., used to work as a federal prosecutor and an environmental lawyer. Safe to say, Edward might have lived a pretty lavish lifestyle growing up.
Ariana Grande
Ariana’s mother, Joan Grande, used to be the CEO of Hose-McCann Communications, a company that manufactures marine communications equipment. The company was founded by Grande’s maternal grandfather, which establishes that Ariana comes from an affluent family line. But Hose-McCann Communications is not the only thing that benefited the singer. Grande’s father, Edward Butera, worked at different design companies early in his career. Today, he owns a graphic design firm in Florida called IBI Designs.
Kate Mara and Rooney Mara
The Mara sisters have also been far from having humble beginnings, thanks to their family’s connection to football. Their maternal great-grandfather, Art Rooney, founded the Pittsburgh Steelers, while their paternal great-grandfather, Tim Mara, founded the New York Giants. Kate Mara earned a name for herself in Hollywood with TV series like House of Cards and movies like The Martian. Rooney Mara followed in her sister’s footsteps and became an actress, featuring in films like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Her.