9 Celebs Who Managed to Achieve Success Despite Their Unhappy Childhood

Sometimes people think of celebrities as whimsical people because they’re rich and successful. After all, it’s true they have been very lucky. But it’s also true that behind all those privileges they can enjoy today there are many stories of growth, discipline, and perseverance. The artists we’ll introduce you to today had quite complicated childhoods. Some of them were immersed in poverty, misunderstanding, or loneliness, but they managed to overcome all this adversity and succeed.

1. Eva Longoria

Even though she has Mexican and Spanish roots, Longoria was born in Texas in 1975. She grew up on a ranch with her parents and 4 sisters, of which she is the youngest. Her lifestyle was humble and, at times, due to economic needs, the family was forced to feed on what they could hunt.

During an interview, Longoria clarified that they did not do it for pleasure, but out of necessity, and compared her past with her present, saying, “We didn’t do it for cruelty. That’s how we had dinner! We skinned our dinner.”

2. Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts was still a kid when she lost her dad, and both she and her mother were left almost without any money. Because of the circumstances, they had to travel a lot around Great Britain, and Naomi changed schools 9 times. Not long ago, a fan approached her with an envelope, which turned out to have a picture of her father smiling at the camera.

That made her burst into tears. The actress said, “You’ve got to understand, I’ve got maybe three photos of my dad, and maybe two memories. And all of the photos of him are either out of focus or he’s a tiny speck in the background.” So Naomi Watts was 48 years old when she managed to see the first clear photo of her dad.

3. Jennifer Lopez

This great artist always had a clear idea of where she wanted to go. Born in the Bronx in the United States, she found herself on the street at the age of 18 after she refused to go to college. She was determined to devote herself to dance, so her mother kicked her out. As she had nowhere to go, the board of her dance school helped her, allowing her to stay there.

She slept on a couch, but she was getting closer and closer to making her dreams come true. Her performance in the movie Selena was her big chance to make a name for herself, and she didn’t waste it. Since then, she has reaped triumphs and fortune by the bucketload, a reward she definitely deserves after everything she went through in her past.

4. Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank grew up in a small town, and her family faced quite shaky economic circumstances. She dreamed of having an acting career, so Hilary and her mother moved to LA. The pair didn’t have money, so for a while, the actress had to sleep in a car. Her first major role brought her fame but not wealth. After the success of Boys Don’t Cry, Swank received an Academy Award, but she couldn’t afford health insurance.

5. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez’s case is totally different from those we have seen before, as it was not poverty and misunderstanding that the actress had to deal with, but early fame and professional pressure from a very young age. At just 10 years old, her career was already booming, and she was a superstar of children’s television, with all the stress that goes with it. Hours of filming, tight schedules, rehearsals, costume fittings, interviews, and public image were all things she had to worry about.

6. Sylvester Stallone

There is no doubt that this man is an example of what can be achieved with patience, perseverance, and will. He went through great misery and misfortune as a child, being evicted from his home and sleeping in a bus station. But he trusted in himself and in his work. That’s why he walked with his Rocky script from one production company to another until he found someone to bet on his idea.

And he didn’t disappoint. The film became a cinema classic, which has been followed by numerous sequels and other major projects, which, in addition to having grossed many millions at the box office, have helped the actor to leave behind his days of poverty and need.

7. Rihanna

Rihanna was born and raised in Barbados with her siblings and her father, who, in addition to being very severe, suffered from some serious addictions. The singer said that during her childhood she used to sell hats, belts, and scarves in the streets with him to help support the family, as their economy was extremely unstable.

Years later, all this is but a memory. Today, she owns a whole business empire and accumulates success not only in the musical field but as the owner of her own cosmetics brand.

8. Halle Berry

Not long ago, the actress revealed on her Instagram account how traumatic her childhood was. Her relationship with her father was really difficult to deal with, and now that he is no longer around, she recalls: “There was a lot of abuse in my childhood. I grew up with a father who was very abusive, verbally, emotionally, and physically.”

However, over the years, she has learned to forgive and has recognized that everything she experienced in her childhood turned her into a strong and courageous woman, awarded on multiple occasions, capable of fighting for her desires and bettering herself day by day.

9. Jay-Z

Jay-Z was a streetwise kid who got into a lot of trouble during his youth. Violence, crime, and little hope for a prosperous future were his reality. But something changed in him, and he refused to accept that his life would end that way.

No one could’ve imagined that the boy who dealt with gangs and “bad joints” would end up becoming one of the most powerful and influential rappers and music producers in the entertainment world.

What’s your story? What obstacle have you overcome that you can proudly talk about today?