From struggle to stardom

He became a millionaire at 65! 10 famous people who overcame the odds

Image: William Warby

Success might look like a straight climb to the top, but for most people, it's a journey full of challenges. Even the most talented and hardworking individuals have faced tough obstacles along the way. Today, we bring the stories of 10 famous stars who pushed through hard times and came out successfully. Their experiences are sure to inspire you!

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Although he's the undisputed King to all of us, Elvis didn't always wear the crown. When he was very young, his family struggled through the Great Depression, and that was just the beginning of the hardships. As he grew older and set his sights on a music career, his unique style and revolutionary dance moves often got him turned down. After one of his early performances at the Grand Ole Opry, someone even told him he didn't have a future in music! Can you believe it? But Elvis never gave up, and the recording of That's All Right shot him to fame.

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Even our nation's Founding Fathers faced tough struggles to accomplish their goals. And Benjamin Franklin was no exception. As a child, his parents couldn't afford to send him to school. In fact, he only got a formal education for two years. He gained all his knowledge and wisdom through self-teaching and hands-on experimentation. Some of the fruits of his study and hard work include the lightning rod, bifocals, and much more, not to mention his many political and diplomatic contributions that helped the United States grow.

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When the renowned Jim Carrey was about 15, he had to drop out of school and work as a janitor alongside his brother to help support their family. Even after living in a van, the actor never gave up and kept pushing forward to make it in the entertainment industry. Despite facing early rejection as a stand-up comedian, his breakthrough eventually came with unforgettable roles in Ace Ventura, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and The Truman Show.

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Success can show up when you least expect it; just ask Colonel Harland Sanders. Before founding the famous KFC, he faced many hardships, including losing his father while still young, and taking on various jobs to support his younger siblings.

It wasn’t until his 40s that he opened his first restaurant, but the venture failed and nearly bankrupted him. When he later tried to sell his now-famous 11-spice recipe, he was rejected more than a thousand times before finally hearing a yes. Finally, at the age of 65, he launched one of the most iconic fast-food brands in the world.

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Although he’s one of the most recognized stars in the world today, the road to fame wasn’t easy for Sylvester Stallone. His first major challenge came at birth, when a complication caused partial facial paralysis. Later, when he pursued his dream of acting, he struggled to land any roles, which led to financial problems and even a period of homelessness. But he never stopped believing. During this time, he wrote the screenplay for the iconic Rocky and insisted on playing the lead role himself.

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Oprah faced poverty at a very young age, but it didn't stop her from reaching success. She worked hard in school and earned a scholarship to college. Early in her career, Oprah faced discrimination and setbacks in the media industry. At one of her first jobs as a TV reporter, a boss criticized her for "getting too emotionally involved with stories." However, it was exactly that sensitivity that helped make her the superstar she is today!

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Life can get hard for everyone, even geniuses! Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, is a perfect example. After overcoming many challenges to launch Apple, he was actually pushed out of his own company in 1985! But, as life often does, it rewarded him: Apple called him back in 1997 during a financial crisis. Jobs returned with bold ideas that led to revolutionary products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad—innovations that revived Apple and reshaped modern technology.

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Stephen King sent one of his earliest novels to 30 different publishers and got rejected by every single one. Want to know which novel it was? It was Carrie! Frustrated, he threw the manuscript in the trash, but his wife, Tabitha, retrieved it and reminded him that talent and perseverance go hand in hand. And that's exactly what happened! Today, he's one of the most famous writers in the world, with his books translated into dozens of languages and adapted into numerous films and TV series.

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Before becoming one of the greatest basketball players ever, Michael Jordan faced a tough time early in his career. As a teenager, he was cut from his high school’s varsity team. But instead of letting this rejection hold him back, it became a source of motivation! From that moment on, Michael poured all his energy into improving and proving himself. Coaches and critics doubted him too, questioning his size and skills. But, as everyone knows, his talent and determination ultimately won!

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We'll always remember Harrison Ford for his iconic role in Star Wars and for other major roles like Indiana Jones. But before becoming the star we know today, he had to face several hardships. When he moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s to pursue acting, he struggled to find work. So, to support his family, he taught himself carpentry. But fate had something special in store for him. One of his carpentry clients was none other than George Lucas himself! From there, the rest is history.

Revisiting past misconceptions

History myths debunked: 10 reasons why the Middle Ages weren't dark

Image: Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Typically, the Middle Ages have carried the stigma of being a time of regression, superstition, ignorance, and barbarism. However, in 1,000 years, there was enough time for great transformations, including key cultural, technological, and scientific breakthroughs. Yes, it was a time marked by conflict, famine, and disease, but many inventions and developments laid the foundations for the modern world. In this article, we’ll discuss why the Middle Ages weren’t as obscure as you might think. Come join us!

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During the Middle Ages, the West did extremely well thanks to a development in agricultural knowledge. Inventions as elementary as iron tools and the wheelbarrow transformed the medieval agricultural landscape. Their simplicity and efficiency allowed for the reduction of the workload, optimizing resources and boosting the growth of agricultural production.

The feudal system also introduced efficient ways to manage the land. The possibility of carrying materials over greater distances, the expansion of arable areas, and the introduction of new agricultural practices resulted in more food, better nutrition, and an increase in population. This shows that even the simplest innovations can bring about profound changes in society!

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The advent of the printing press marked a turning point in history. It was invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 and was the key to producing books quickly and massively, breaking down the barriers of cost and accessibility. This, in turn, gave way to the democratization of knowledge, later boosting the Renaissance intellectual movement.

Since the Middle Ages, this technique became the perfect vehicle for wider access to essential texts, fostered the exchange of ideas and debate, and promoted cultural flourishing, paving the way for the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment, decisive stages in the world's social development.

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Once the printing press was invented, the next step was to make books available to the entire population. The creation of libraries during the Middle Ages was essential to widespread new ideas. The world's first public library, located in Cesena, Italy, was inaugurated in 1452. This library allowed citizens free access to its collection of books.

At a time when learning and literacy were largely restricted to the clergy, the Cesena Library offered the population unprecedented access to knowledge. This symbolizes a change in the social perception of the importance of education, which began to be seen as a common good. The Cesena library became a model for future public libraries, promoting the idea that knowledge should be accessible to all.

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Between the mid-twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, all of Europe began to develop new institutions of education: the universities. These learning centers, which taught the arts, law, medicine, and theology, would forever change the intellectual and social landscape of the continent.

The medieval universities were based primarily on the Classical structure of ancient Greek education. However, they were also heavily influenced by Islamic education, which was thriving at the time. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088 in Italy, was the first ever to grant degrees. It was followed by the University of Oxford, founded in 1163.

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The astrolabe is one of the most fascinating inventions of the Middle Ages. Although the Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy is known to have used a similar instrument, it was during the Middle Ages when the astrolabe reached its maximum sophistication, allowing navigators and astronomers to expand their horizons, overcoming the geographical barriers of the time.

This medieval scientific advance helped to measure celestial bodies' altitude, making navigation easier. The astrolabe favored interaction between peoples and contributed to the flourishing of trade and culture. The expansion of maritime routes not only increased the wealth of medieval societies, it also laid the foundations for commercial globalization in the centuries to come.

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At first glance, it may seem inconsequential, but the introduction of functional buttons in the Middle Ages meant a considerable improvement in everyday life. Before the 13th century, buttons were purely decorative, with no practical purpose. The invention of buttonholes allowed buttons to become truly useful, allowing clothes to fit more securely.

The use of functional buttons led to more elaborate and fitted garments, providing comfort and freedom of movement. This innovation had a cultural impact, as buttons acquired a symbolic and aesthetic status. Their production demanded technical skills, raising craftsmen's prestige and establishing a new market. This phenomenon reflects how small innovations can have an expansive effect on society, ranging from culture to the economy.

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Eyeglasses were one of the most significant inventions of the Middle Ages, improving the quality of life for those suffering from vision problems. Although convex lenses had been used before, the first spectacles appeared in Italy during the 13th century.

The manufacture of glasses required experimenting with various materials and an advanced knowledge of optics, marking the birth of modern optometry. This breakthrough made life easier for monks, scholars, and craftsmen who depended on sharp vision. Through improved quality of life and productivity, this medieval invention directly impacted the economic and cultural growth of society.

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The Middle Ages weren’t as dark as Renaissance and Enlightenment artists liked to think. Knowledge had simply migrated to the East, first to Constantinople and then to the Islamic world. Many scientific treatises that were recovered during the Renaissance came, in fact, from copies made in the East during this time.

The Byzantine Empire, for example, was a massive outpouring of books. Literacy was high, elementary education was widespread —even in rural areas— and middle and higher education were available to many people. While the Byzantine Empire didn't create a lot of new thinking, it solidified and protected invaluable knowledge for the future.

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The hourglass, adopted in Europe towards the end of the High Middle Ages, became a key tool for measuring time accurately. Its simplicity and reliability were fundamental in an era when the management of daily activities was increasingly valued.

This instrument is one of the medieval inventions that most favored navigation and trade, boosting cultural and economic exchange. The portability and precision of the hourglass made it an essential resource for sailors, as it was unaffected by the ship’s movement, ensuring accurate timekeeping. The appreciation of time as a valuable resource laid the foundation for the development of more advanced clocks, spurring technical progress over the following centuries.

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Paper money is the medieval invention that revolutionized the economy the most. Originating in China in the 11th century, it did not reach Europe until several centuries later. However, its introduction made it possible to replace heavy metal coins with light banknotes, simplifying commercial transactions.

Its adoption in Europe meant a radical transformation in financial structures and in the way capital circulated. The convenience of transporting and storing paper money boosted trade, expanded markets, favored economic growth, and sowed the seeds of the modern financial system.