17 Iconic Celebrities Who Died Poor

We tend to think fame comes with fortune, but for some of the world’s biggest stars, that fortune didn’t last. Bad deals, legal battles, reckless spending, and betrayal drained their bank accounts faster than they rose to stardom, and many died with little to their names.

This list discloses some unforgettable names who left behind legendary legacies—but empty bank accounts.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson made a lot of money in his lifetime, but at the time of his death, he was in serious debt. The bills never stopped, thanks to his fantasy mansions, pet chimps, and endless legal costs. He borrowed against future earnings and kept spending. By the time he died in 2009, he owed over $500 million, and his estate was almost bankrupt.

Marvin Gaye

A messy divorce, serious drug problems, and huge IRS debt crushed Marvin. He filed for bankruptcy in the '70s. When he died in 1984, he still owed millions. His estate recovered only years later.

Judy Garland

Judy’s life looked like a dream on screen, but the truth was brutal. Studio contracts controlled her. Managers and husbands drained her earnings, and she continued to work nonstop to keep up but still died in debt. At just 47, she passed away owing about $4 million and unpaid taxes.

Bela Lugosi

After Dracula, Lugosi couldn’t land serious work. Hollywood forgot him while he struggled with addiction and declining health. When he died in 1956, he had less than $2,000 in total. Friends paid for his funeral.

Mickey Rooney

Mickey once ruled Hollywood, but by the end, he could barely afford rent. He earned millions during his peak but trusted the wrong people. Family members drained his accounts. He died in 2014 with just $18,000 to his name. He even spoke out about elder abuse in his lifetime.

Corey Haim

Corey was everywhere in the '80s—movies, magazines, and teen bedroom posters. Unfortunately, the fame didn’t last. He burned through money, battled addiction, and never found steady work again. In 1997, he filed for bankruptcy. When he died in 2010, he had nothing left and lived with his mother.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. lit up every stage he touched. But behind the spotlight, things unraveled. Lavish spending, gambling, and years of unpaid taxes caught up with him. He owed over $5 million at the time of his death in 1990. His widow auctioned his personal items just to settle debts.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman made millions as a child actor but trusted the wrong people. His adoptive parents and advisors mismanaged his money. He sued them and won, but the damage stuck. He filed for bankruptcy in 1999. It’s fair to say the celebrity was poor by his death in 2010 and only had a few assets left to his name.

Joe Louis

He was unbeatable in the ring. But money management? Not so much. Joe Louis gave generously and didn’t keep track. He also owed over $1 million to the IRS. He relied on friends—and even the wrestling circuit—for income. When he died in 1981, he had almost nothing.

Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh’s art now sells for millions, but during his life, he barely sold a thing. His brother Theo supported him financially for years. Van Gogh struggled with mental health and poverty until his death in 1890. He died with no money, no fame, and no idea of the legacy he’d leave.

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was completely broke when he died in 1900. He loved a flashy lifestyle and never lived modestly. He spent freely on fashion, travel, and entertainment. After a public trial and two years in prison, he lost everything. He moved to Paris and lived in cheap hotels.

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday’s personal life was filled with pain, even with a voice that was unforgettable. Drug addiction and abusive relationships kept her stuck. The government froze her bank account while she was hospitalized. She died in 1959 with just 70 cents in the bank and $750 hidden in her stocking.

Barbara Hutton

Born into the Woolworth fortune, Barbara Hutton had more money than most could imagine. But seven marriages, reckless spending, and poor choices left her almost penniless. By the time she died in 1979, her massive inheritance was gone. Her life showed that money doesn’t always bring stability.

Kim Basinger

In the early '90s, Kim Basinger made a wild investment—she bought an entire town in Georgia for $20 million. The plan flopped. Then she backed out of a film role and got sued. She filed for bankruptcy in 1993. That one decision nearly ended her career.

Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton sold millions of albums and won major awards. But money troubles followed her for years. Medical issues and bad business deals forced her to file for bankruptcy—twice. Despite global success, she struggled to stay financially stable. She later opened up about the emotional toll it took.