Celebutants

Many of those who classify as celebrities are famous for reasons like their family has money, they were apart of a scandal, or they gained it through being popular in the music, movie, or television industry. Some, however, get their fame from their success and good fortune earned by hard work and innovative business ideas. These people came into stardom because of their career and life success. Whether you like them as people or not is irrelevant, the fact is they worked for what they have now.

1. Bill Gates


Showing an interest in computer programming at the early age of 13, Gates focused on his interest while studying as a Harvard student. He and his long-time friend Paul Allen eventually partnered up to create Microsoft in 1985. All of that passion and hard work paid off as Gates is now one of the wealthiest people in the world.

2. Donald Trump


This  mogul became interested in large, profitable building projects in 1971 and in 1980 he opened the Grand Hyatt and turned into Manhattan's most well known real estate developer. He got even more attention in 2004 when he starred in The Apprentice. Though public opinion of Trump goes both ways, his smart business decisions made him the celebrity billionaire he is today.

3. Russell Simmons


Though his fellow celeb and brother, Rev Run, gets more attention, this is the Simmons that started it all. He started producing music in his early 20s and created, with partner Rick Rubin, the famed Def Jams Records. The record label has signed artists like LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys,  and the group his brother partook in, RUN D.M.C. He sold his stake label, but as a true entrepreneur, has since started Rush Communications and founded several organizations including  Hip Hop Summit Action Network, the Rush Philanthropic Organization and the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.

4. Oprah Winfrey


Technically Oprah started off as an actress, acting in the award-winning movie The Color Purple. The real magic didn't happen, however, until The Oprah Winfrey Show began that same year, in 1986. I can't even list all of the things that have happened since then for this self-starter, but you should pretty much know the whole story. The richest woman in the world is also one of the most known household names out there.