Written by: Newton. M

 

People look at wealthy people with a variety of notions. They are seen as snobs, arrogant, believing they are better than everyone else, or even trying to buy happiness. Of course, many of these notions have been long-standing and held by people who have never known a wealthy person well enough to comment objectively. Despite the gulf between you and the wealthy, one thing is sure. The wealthy have learned life lessons. These are life lessons that the rest of us have not experienced.

1) Keanu Reeves

 “Money is the last thing I think about; I could live on what I have already made for the next few centuries.” -Keanu Reeves

When Reeves appeared on “The Late Show” to promote “John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum,” the latest installment in his action-movie franchise, near the end of the interview, Stephen Colbert asked the actor what he thought happens after we die. Reeves was wearing a dark suit and tie, in the vein of a sensitive mafioso who is considering leaving it all behind to enter the priesthood. He paused for a moment, then answered, with some care, “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.” It was a response so wise and genuinely thoughtful that it seemed like a rebuke to the usually canned blather of late-night television. 

Even as Keanu Reeves rose through the ranks to become one of the top-paid actors in Hollywood, he preferred to live in rental houses and hotels. He’s one of the only Hollywood stars without a mansion. He gave away $35 million, which he earned from the Matrix sequels to the special effects and makeup teams, and this just shows he doesn’t care for the money. (Edit: There are some articles online that say he never wrote any cheque for his SFX team. But there is no tangible evidence as of now) He said that he gave up a lucrative role, reprising his character in Speed 2, just so that he could act in the lead role of a Canadian Stage production of HAMLET. There is a video shot where Keanu Reeves uses a subway to travel, and on the video, it shows him giving up his seat to a woman. 

2)Christian Bale

“It’s got to do with putting yourself in other people’s shoes and seeing how far you can come to understand them truly.”-Christian Bale

Christian Bale is one of the few actors in Hollywood whose child stardom has successfully translated to steady and respectable adult employment. With a wistful handsomeness to complement his impressive, sometimes underrated talent, Bale has become something of a quiet sensation, netting choice roles in several unconventional, critically acclaimed films. Born January 30, 1974, in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Bale brought up in England, Portugal, and the U.S., The product of a creative family, Bale, made his stage debut at the age of ten, playing opposite British comedian Rowan Atkinson in The Nerd.

Christian Bale’s estimated net worth is $80M. He is known for driving his pickup truck to movie sets. Although his address is not public, those close to him say that his home is not in any of the expensive or trendy neighborhoods of Los Angeles and is not particularly large or flashy. He rarely hangs out at high-end clubs or restaurants, and when he does, it is generally attending a publicity event or as a guest of Hollywood executives. He has indulged in a Ducati motorcycle, but that seems to be his most extravagant purchase.

3)Billie Eilish

“I’ve always done exactly whatever I want and always been exactly who I am.” Billie Eilish

If anyone knows what it takes to make a baggy T-shirt look like a million bucks, it’s Billie Eilish. So, it came as no surprise when the five-time Grammy winner announced that she’d be teaming up with favorite basics brand UNIQLO for a collection of graphic T-shirts earlier this week. 

 Her net worth is unclear, but the internet says that she already had $8 million and recently made a $25 million deal, adding to a total of $33 million. She has made this much at only 18 years and keeps gaining fame and riches. But if you are wondering which house she lives in, you might be surprised. The place that she lives in is only 1, 208 square feet big, definitely smaller than even the average American house. It only has two bedrooms and one bathroom. Her parents wanted to sleep in the living room, so she and her brother have more space to work on music. It’s a good living situation, but very shabby compared to the average celebrity. Also, unlike the Rock, who has a Ferrari, she drives a simple black Dodge, the dream car of any teen but not the fanciest car she can afford. While Billie does like experimenting with fancy brands, she said, “I either thrift or I source pieces of from certain designers I like. Super-cheap meets fancy.” This rich celebrity has designer brands but still likes thrifting and has fun with her finds.

4)Daniel Norris

“I’m not going to change who I am just because people think it’s weird.” Daniel Norris

It is hard to believe that 2020 will be Daniel Norris’ fifth full season. Perhaps that is because, since the team acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a package for David Price back in 2015, the young southpaw has pitched over 100 innings at the major league level just twice.

Despite a $2 million signing bonus and a deal with Nike, he lives out of his 1978 Westfalia camper, which he bought for $10,000. After receiving the signing bonus, he stashed all $2 million away into conservative investment funds and now lives off of $800 a month. “I’m more comfortable being kind of poor,” he says because living on so little money limits his ability to conform.

He loves to hike, surf, and take long, aimless road trips across the country. When not traveling, you’ll find him in 24-hour Walmart parking lots—doing pushups in the gravel and performing weight resistant exercises with shopping carts. Living out of his van offers seclusion away from the incredibly long grind of the baseball season and is his way of “dropping off the grid.”

I find Daniel very admirable because he hasn’t allowed money to change himself or his ideals. Although it’s okay to live lavishly if you can afford to do so, I admire that he stays true to himself and lives by his moral code regardless of society’s pressures.

5)Warren Buffet

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”-Warren Buffet

A great man with great quotes. Born in Nebraska in 1930, Warren Buffett demonstrated keen business abilities at a young age. He formed Buffett Partnership Ltd. in 1956, and by 1965 he had assumed control of Berkshire Hathaway. Overseeing the growth of a conglomerate with holdings in the media, insurance, energy, and food and beverage industries, Buffett became one of the world’s richest men and a celebrated philanthropist.

Here I will mention how great this man is. With a net worth of over $58.5 billion, Warren Buffett is the second richest person in the United States. As the CEO and largest shareholder of the company Berkshire Hathaway, Warren has been ranked by “Time Magazine” as one of the most influential people on Earth. However, Warren’s lifestyle hasn’t changed much since he has struck it rich, and he is surprisingly frugal.

Sometimes referred to as the greatest investor in the world, many people are surprised that Warren still lives in the same home in Omaha, Nebraska that he purchased for $31,500 in 1958. Although he has dined in some of the most elegant restaurants in the world and has no problem paying the tab, he prefers hamburgers from McDonald’s and a cold cherry coke. He also shies away from technology, including luxury cars, cellphones, and computers, preferring a more Spartan existence.

Warren has also devoted much of his life to philanthropy, so it is clear that he knows how to give back. Warren has stated that he will dedicate 99% of his fortune to charity via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation when he passes. However, his children should not have to worry about finances after their father is gone, as Warren has stated that he plans to give them enough money that they can do anything, but not so much that they feel like doing nothing. He is rich, but his heart is pure gold. While other celebrities are spending millions on expensive houses, cars, and exotic vacations, these public figures choose to lead more humble lives. He is one of them.

What’s the lesson?

You have to learn the lesson of humility. It is challenging because it means overcoming an urge for external validation.  There is a common perception that upon obtaining wealth, people’s positive and negative qualities become more pronounced. Although one can indeed make changes to their lifestyle and actions after becoming wealthy, it is challenging to do so. With a lot of money, you are often busier, and you are more frequently under the spotlight. Plus, making certain mistakes after you have a lot of money, can be extremely detrimental.

References

Christian Bale. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/christian_bale

Fry, N., Brody, R., & Denby, D. (n.d.). Keanu Reeves Is Too Good for This World. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/keanu-reeves-is-too-good-for-this-world

Kathleen elk. (2017, October 16). 5 rich athletes who live like they’re broke. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/13/rich-athletes-who-live-like-theyre-broke.html

Rampton, J. (2018, March 6). 10 Brutal Lessons You Need to Learn Before Getting Rich. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/309812

UT Graphic Tees. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/ut-graphic-tees/billie-eilish-x-takashi-murakami

Warren Buffett. (2020, May 8). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/business-figure/warren-buffett