10 Stars Who Were Born Rich
Not everyone is lucky enough to be born wealthy, but some are, catapulting themselves into even greater economic standing when they become celebrities.
Good for them we say (while squeezing a stress ball until it pops).
Okay, some didn't come from stupid money, just comfortable upper middle-class money. But many on this list were born with a whole set of silver spoons in their mouths -- and who those people are just might surprise you.
- 1
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston was born into a showbiz family: Her parents are 'Days of Our Lives' star John Aniston and actress Nancy Dow, and her godfather was 'Kojak' himself, Telly Savalas (one of her dad's best friends). Jen grew up in Los Angeles but her family eventually moved to New York, where she graduated from the very fancy-sounding Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan.
- 2
Gwyneth Paltrow
GOOP Queen Gwyneth Paltrow is the daughter of accomplished actress Blythe Danner (you've probably seen her in the 'Meet the Parents' franchise, if nothing else) and late director/producer Bruce Paltrow. Gwynnie spent her formative years in Santa Monica, Calif. before landing in a private girl's school in New York City. She's also a second cousin to former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
- 3
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie was born in Los Angeles to veteran actor Jon Voight (who's starred in thrillers like 'Mission Impossible' and the disturbing 'Deliverance') and the late actress/producer Marcheline Bertrand. She went to Beverly Hills High, but since her parents were divorced by then and her mom had a relatively modest income, Angelina still felt like an outsider. Suffice it to say her detractors from back then are eating a lot of crow these days.
- 4
Anderson Cooper
Blue-eyed journalist and talk-show host Anderson Cooper's mother is socialite and designer Gloria Vanderbilt of the prominent New York Vanderbilt family. His great-great-grandfather Cornelius Vanderbilt was a millionaire shipping magnate, making Gloria a railroad heiress. (We just hope this means that someday, Anderson will be one too.)
- 5
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey (born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant) is the daughter of entrepreneur Ray Grant and prior Grey Group account executive Pat Grant. Raised in Lake Placid, N.Y., Lana was sent to a boarding school in Kent to treat an alcohol problem. Despite her upbringing, she refers to herself as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra."
- 6
Kid Rock
While not the wealthiest star on our list, Kid Rock (Robert James Ritchie) still had an upper middle-class childhood. His father owned several car dealerships and a six-acre orchard where Rock helped to pick apples and care for the family's horses. Horses, if you don't know, are not cheap, and multiple horses even less so. (Hence why little girls don't always get the ponies they want for Christmas.)
- 7
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta to Cynthia Bissett and internet entrepreneur Joseph Germanotta (he owns a very successful company that installs wi-fi in hotel chains). Mother Monster had a cushy upbringing on New York's Upper West Side, but her parental monsters came from lower-class families and had to work their way to the upper echelons of society.
- 8
Rashida Jones
'Parks and Recreation' actress Rashida Jones is the daughter of famed music producer Quincy Jones -- yeah, that Quincy Jones -- and model and actress Peggy Lipton, known for her turns in 'The Mod Squad' and David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks.' Jones grew up in the ritzy Bel Air area of Los Angeles, and went to school alongside Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.
- 9
Adam Levine
Maroon 5 lead-singer and 'The Voice' coach Adam Levine is the son of Fred Levine, the founder of retail clothing chain M. Fredric. Raised in Los Angeles, Levine went to the private Brentwood School, where he met two of his future -- and also well-to-do -- bandmates. In addition, Adam attended a camp called French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, situated near a private lake in New York state. (Public lakes are apparently for The Poors.)
- 10
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
To say actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus comes from money is to vastly underestimate the definition of "money." Born with the super fancy name Julia Scarlett Elizabeth Louis-Dreyfus, she is the daughter of billionaire Gerard Louis-Dreyfus, the chairman of Louis Dreyfus Energy Services. In 1851, her great-great-grandfather Leopold started the Louis Dreyfus Group, a multinational commodities and shipping company, and members of her family still control it today.