Tax season always makes us feel broke. But no matter how deeply we regret the Saks splurges, that weekend in South Beach, and every $15 cocktail we’ve ever purchased — it’s comforting to know that our overspending is negligible compared to these bankrupt, riches-to-rags celebs. Is that evil?
From Hammer to Toni Braxton, these superstars made bazillions of dollars, only to lose it all in spectacular, E! True Hollywood Story-worthy ways (some even ended up homeless, or yeesh, working retail). The culprit? Usually the losses were due to thunderingly stupid investments — what happens when you hire your childhood friend, Stinky, to be your business manager — or pricey drug addictions. Cut to mansions in foreclosure, cars being repossessed, careers capsizing, and lovers leaving. Bleak, but there is a bright side! Many of these celebs managed to bounce back hotter than ever, post-financial failure.
Check out 34 celebrities who crested the dizzying heights of wealthy celebdom, only to crash, burn, and bomb. Juicier than fiction.
-
145264643JF030_Reebok.JPG
-
56709705PK052_Imgfashionwor
-
135535070AS010_Billy_Joel_H
-
71670813PS027_Chris_Ludacri
-
153946603SV017_CELEBRITY_AP
-
144416623AZ00086_Mud_Premie
-
158781716RM00009_2013_Winte
-
61478568
-
64323428
-
152659452GH00008_Black_Nove
-
160916549IM00043_amfAR_New_
-
81181350VA099_New_Line_Cine
-
58632021
-
62204888
-
71465435JM018_Atlanta_Falco
-
163357086FH004_Opening_Nigh
-
155628538CJ00085_The_13th_A
-
160858191MB00037_The_Croods
-
159302928IA053_2nd_Annual_S
-
56685923MU136_12th_Annual_S
-
151997952ZD00019_The_Novak_
-
73337895GS038_The_2007_NBPA
-
53286690PK012_trl
-
158693256JN00180_Lacoste_GQ
-
117066208DL014_THE_5TH_ANNI
-
162306005AP00069_H_M_Sponso
-
144574852JL010_L_A_GAY_LESB
-
81073849BB009_2008_NewNowNe
-
58341909
-
65212173
-
52819734VB027_ascap
-
143116998ML002_2012_Tom_Rid
-
60206197
-
70365987
[Photos: Getty Images, Splash News]