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The Broke and Famous: Celebrities Who Have Gone Bankrupt

Get Rich Or…

These famous folks had it all—and then they lost it and had to declare Chapter 11. Oops!

William Boot

Published Jul. 14 2015 2:15PM EDT

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-01_r72ytj — Brendan McDermid / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-01_ghjexl — Rapper 50 Cent filed for bankruptcy protection on July 13, 2015, reporting debts and assets in the range of $10 million to $50 million. Lawyers for the “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” singer filed court papers under the musician's real name, Curtis James Jackson III. The 40-year-old New York-born entertainer called the voluntary Chapter 11 filing in a Connecticut bankruptcy court a “strategic business move” that would not affect fans.
Brendan McDermid / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-02_pxt3ke — Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has had four of his businesses file for Chapter 11.
L.E. Baskow / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-03_et4aqa — Larry King filed for bankruptcy in 1978.
Radovan Stoklasa / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-04_lvf9v8 — Cyndi Lauper filed in the early ’80s, before her music career took off.
Danny Moloshok / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-05_xjwhcn — Billy Joel had financial trouble after his brother-in-law cleaned him out.
Carlo Allegri / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-06_uddsaw — We all saw this one coming, unfortunately—Lindsay had to file in 2010.
Lucas Jackson / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-07_jil774 — Burt Reynolds has had financial troubles for the past 15 years—he's currently battling rumors he’s about to file Chapter 11 again.
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-08_mbrhdc — Elton John has expensive tastes—the singer went broke in 2002.
Carlos Barria/Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-09_hyxrfz — Actor Mickey Rooney filed twice, and at the time of his death, had assets of just $18,000.
Gus Ruelas/Reuters

galleries/2015/07/14/the-broke-and-famous-celebrities-who-have-gone-bankrupt/150714-celeb-bankruptcy-10_byhpxc — Designer Betsey Johnson declared in 2012.
Carlo Allegri / Reuters

William Boot

William Boot

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