The Most Famous Broke Person: Ranking a Notable Icon

Choose the Pauper you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Nov 27, 2023 10:44)
Step right up and prepare to be amazed as we delve into the fascinating realm of fame and fortune - or rather, the lack of it! StrawPoll presents an intriguing and captivating ranking of the "Who is the most famous broke person?" where you, our esteemed audience, have the power to decide whose financial downfall is the most notorious. Join us in this enthralling journey through the rags-to-riches-to-rags stories of these once-wealthy individuals and cast your vote for the most unforgettable tale of them all. Did we miss someone who had a monumental financial collapse? Fear not, for you can suggest a missing option and add to the drama. Don't miss your chance to explore this captivating collection of riches lost and be a part of the discussion that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Who Is the Most Famous Broke Person?

  1. 1
    57
    votes
    MC Hammer - despite achieving massive success in the 90s with hits like "U Can't Touch This," he filed for bankruptcy in 1996 due to overspending and debt.
  2. 2
    17
    votes
    Mike Tyson
    Toglenn · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Mike Tyson

    Joe Rogan
    Mike Tyson - the former heavyweight boxing champion earned an estimated $400 million during his career, but filed for bankruptcy in 2003 due to financial mismanagement and legal troubles.
    Description
    The Mike Tyson episode is one of the most popular episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. In this episode, Joe Rogan interviews retired professional boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including Tyson's boxing career, personal life, mental health, and the introspective journey he has been on in recent years.
    • Episode Number: Episode #1470
    • Release Date: May 15, 2020
    • Duration: 2 hours and 54 minutes
    • Guest: Mike Tyson
    • Views: Over 32 million views on YouTube
    Mike Tyson in other rankings
  3. 3
    26
    votes
    Kim Basinger
    Roland Godefroy · CC BY 3.0
    Kim Basinger is the actress famously purchased a small town in Georgia for $20 million in 1989, which ultimately led to her filing for bankruptcy in 1993.
    Kim Basinger in other rankings
  4. 4
    25
    votes

    Willie Nelson

    Willie Nelson
    Willie Nelson is despite a successful music career spanning decades, the country singer filed for bankruptcy in 1990 due to tax troubles.
    Description
    The Willie Nelson version of 'Hallelujah' is a renowned rendition of the iconic song originally written by Leonard Cohen. Willie Nelson, a legendary American country music singer-songwriter and guitarist, gave his unique interpretation of this timeless classic.
    • Year of Release: 1984
    • Genre: Country
    • Album: Various Artists - 'Various Positions' (Leonard Cohen tribute album)
    • Length: 4:59
    • Chart Performance: The song did not receive significant chart success but became a fan-favorite and a classic within Willie Nelson's discography.
    Willie Nelson in other rankings
  5. 5
    13
    votes
    Toni Braxton
    Umusic · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Toni Braxton - the Grammy-winning singer filed for bankruptcy twice, first in 1998 and again in 2010, due to financial mismanagement and health issues.
    Toni Braxton in other rankings
  6. 6
    4
    votes
    Nicolas Cage
    Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Nicolas Cage - the actor famously squandered his fortune on lavish purchases and legal troubles, ultimately leading to his financial troubles and multiple lawsuits.
    Nicolas Cage in other rankings
  7. 7
    3
    votes
    Gary Coleman - the child star of "Diff'rent Strokes" struggled with financial issues throughout his life, ultimately filing for bankruptcy in 1999.
    Gary Coleman in other rankings
  8. 8
    2
    votes
    Larry King
    Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Larry King - the legendary talk show host filed for bankruptcy in 1978, before achieving his iconic status in the world of broadcasting.
    Larry King in other rankings
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Burt Reynolds
    ABC Television · Public domain
    Burt Reynolds is despite earning millions during his successful acting career, Reynolds filed for bankruptcy in 1996 due to a combination of bad investments and overspending.
    Burt Reynolds in other rankings
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    LaToya Jackson - the singer and reality TV personality filed for bankruptcy in 1995, citing financial mismanagement and legal troubles.

Missing your favorite Pauper?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for famous broke person

  1. Level of fame
    The person's level of fame can play a significant role in their ranking. More famous people might have greater media coverage and public attention, which can contribute to their overall ranking.
  2. Wealth before becoming broke
    It is important to consider the person's financial status before they became broke. This will help in determining how far they have fallen from their position of wealth and the impact of their financial downfall.
  3. The reason for bankruptcy
    It is essential to consider the reason behind the person's bankruptcy. Was it due to overspending, poor financial decisions, or an unforeseen circumstance such as medical illness or natural disaster?
  4. Public perception
    The perception of the public towards the person can also play a role in their ranking. Negative publicity or scandals can impact the person's ranking in the list.
  5. Ability to bounce back
    Finally, it is important to consider whether the person was able to bounce back from their financial downfall and regain their financial stability.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous broke person. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Pauper is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1538 views
  • 161 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Pauper once every 24 hours. The rank of each Pauper is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous broke person

Section: Background Information Money can buy you many things, but it cannot buy happiness, and it certainly cannot buy fame. While there are many celebrities, athletes, and entrepreneurs who have amassed great fortunes, there are also those who have lost their wealth and ended up broke. However, being broke does not necessarily mean being forgotten. In fact, some broke individuals have managed to maintain their fame and even become more famous in the process. In this article, we explore the question of who is the most famous broke person, and take a closer look at some of the most notable individuals who have managed to stay in the public eye despite their financial struggles.

Share this article