Oprah

Oprah

Oprah Winfrey was once considered a failed news reporter and was told that she would amount to nothing in the media industry. Well, whoever thought so probably turning in their grave as Oprah has turned out to be one of the most influential and inspiring media personalities of all-time. Her self-entitled show, Oprah, became a platform for women around the world to feel appreciated and share their views and concerns as women, it also didn't hurt that Oprah became filthy rich through her endeavors and often gave her audience members free gifts. Now, Oprah is running her own television network and is a billionaire.

Oprah also just so happens to share a similar aesthetic to another legendary African-American woman in poet, author, and singer, Maya Angelou who is responsible for influencing a number of artists, poets, and writers with works like And Still I Rise, her series of autobiographies especially the first entitled, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Ms. Angelou recently passed away in May 2014 and still is referenced to this very day by elite activists and entertainment personalities. Rest in power to the queen, Maya Angelou.

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Did You Know...

I

Not all celebrities have fame and fortune, some are just famous – and in a ton of debt. They came from rags to riches, then went back to rags. Whether they’ve filed bankruptcy, ended up in court, or just can’t stop spending, celebrities mismanage their money just like everyone else. They just hide it well.

II

50 Cent coined the term “wanksta,” then “partied like it was his birthday” until he filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. The rapper was said to be anywhere between $10 million and $50 million in debt. In 2016, a federal bankruptcy court judge in Connecticut approved a plan for the founder of G-Unit to pay his debts back. He was able to get his bankruptcy discharged in February of the following year.

III

Following a 45-year-long career in Hollywood, acting in more than 70 films, actor Gary Busey found himself in more debt than he was worth. In 2012, it was reported that Busey owed between $500,000 and $1 million worth of debt, but only had $50,000 to his name. The 74-year-old actor owed money to hospitals, banks, the L.A. Waterworks District, and even a storage company. He filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy that same year. Despite his longstanding career in Hollywood, Busey's net worth is now only $500,000.

IV

Burt Reynolds is still worth five million dollars, but his battles with debt date back more than 20 years. Between bad investments and a pricey divorce from actress Loni Anderson, the 1970s superstar had to deal with over $10 million in debt and decided to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. While testifying in a 1994 custody hearing, the South Florida native said he spent $40 million getting through his divorce.

V

The former Hollywood bad boy, Charlie Sheen owes the IRS nearly $5 million. But that's not all. In 2016, his net worth was reportedly still as high as $150 million, but he was nonetheless $12 million in debt at the time – including mortgages, legal fees, and taxes. That same year, Debt.com reported Sheen owed nearly $300,000 on an American Express card alone.

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