It may be said that success is a product of hard work and dedication. That being said, it is not uncommon for some people to have had a more difficult start in life than others. Many famous people have come from relatively humble beginnings yet still managed to achieve great things with their talent and determination.

Marca / Many famous rich folks we know today come from a humble beginning.

Here are seven famous people who were not born with a silver spoon in their mouths:

7. Walt Disney

Born into poverty in 1901, Walt Disney worked odd jobs as a teenager to help support his family. Despite numerous rejections early on in his career, he was determined to make it big – eventually creating the beloved characters of Mickey Mouse and Snow White which began a global Disney empire worth billions today.

6. Bill Gates

Born into an upper-middle-class family, Bill Gates’ success is often attributed to being born with privileges that many other people may not have had access to. However, even with his privileged background, Bill was determined to succeed and eventually founded Microsoft.

In turn, this made him one of the wealthiest people in the world.

5. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Born into a lower-class Austrian family, there was little indication that Arnold would become one of the most famous bodybuilders and action-movie stars in the world.

Outsider / Arnold’s hustle for success made him earn the “Mr. Universe” title - as he kicked off with no financial support.

With no financial support from his parents, Arnold had to work hard and hustle for success. Eventually, winning Mr. Universe at age 20 before launching a successful acting career in Hollywood.

4. Albert Einstein

Born into a middle-class Jewish family in Germany, Albert Einstein’s genius was evident from an early age. But he had little support or financial backing for his education. Despite this hindrance, he worked hard and eventually developed the Theory of Relativity which revolutionized modern physics and earned him a Nobel Prize and international recognition.

3. Oprah Winfrey

Born into poverty and suffering abuse as a child, Oprah worked her way up the ladder through sheer grit and determination. Eventually, she became one of the most successful women in entertainment and media.

Inc Magazine / Born into a poor family, Oprah made it to the list of the world’s most famous people.

She has since gone on to create her own Emmy Award-winning TV show and founded a successful production company. Plus, written books, and created her own magazine. Similarly, she is also one of the wealthiest self-made women in America.

2. Steven Spielberg

Born into a lower-middle-class family in Ohio, Spielberg had no access to expensive films. Nor to equipment or facilities when he started out as an aspiring filmmaker. However, that did not stop him from learning through trial and error and eventually becoming one of the most iconic directors in Hollywood.

1. Ellen DeGeneres

Born into a Louisiana family as one of seven children, Ellen DeGeneres was determined to make it big despite her humble upbringing. She used her wits and humor to get ahead. Eventually, she became one of the most successful comedians and talk show hosts on television.