Stardom pays well, that’s certain, and we see celebrities live lives we only dream of. They drive classy cars, own mansions and their kids are born rich and famous. But sometimes, these stars fall from glory, become totally broke and are left with no other option than to file for bankruptcy. The reason why celebrities end up filing for bankruptcy, is due to their financial skills, not having a reliable income, evading tax, divorces, lawsuits, and illness. Here are stars who have ever filed for bankruptcy.
1. 50 Cent
The rapper, also known as Curtis James Jackson III filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection according to court documents filed in July 2015, as reported by The Street.
The documents stated that his assets and liabilities are in a range of $10 million to $50 million. This was done following a jury ruling earlier that month ordering the rapper to pay a woman $5 million. The woman had accused 50 Cent of acquiring a sex video of her and her partner and posted it on the web. Months before the event, Forbes had estimated his net worth to be around $115 million.
2. Cyndi Lauper
You all know Cyndi Lauper for her old school hits, but perhaps you are not aware that at one time in her career she filed for bankruptcy. According to the Telegraph, she filed it following her band Blue Angel’s split and got employed in a Japanese restaurant where she sang while dressed as a geisha to make a few bucks.
Later on, her manager struck a deal for her with a different record company. Lauper said in 2013 that in 1983, she got a record deal but had to go bankrupt first.
3. Marvin Gaye
The legendary singer was successful in his career and had numerous hit records to his name and Grammy nominations. But he had some issues even in his marriage to Anna Gordy, Barry Gordy’s sister.
Barry was the founder of Motown Records where Gaye used to record. According to the Cheat Sheet, the crooner filed for bankruptcy in 1976 after he failed to pay $600,000 alimony. He agreed to pay his ex with all the royalties for his next record. Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father in 1984.
4. Kim Basinger
According to The Street, the actress was sued by Main Line Pictures after backing out of an agreement which dictated that she was supposed to appear in the 1993 film “Boxing Helena.” The court ruled in Main Line Pictures’ favor, and Kim was ordered to pay the company $8.1 million resulting to her filling for a bankruptcy protection in 1993.
Her situation was further complicated by her 1989 purchase of the town of Braselton, Ga. for $20 million with some investors, with the intention of building movie studios and a film festival site. She and her partners were forced to sell off the town in pieces.