Featured

Stars And Their (Surprising) Cars – Net Worth To Be Spent on…What?

Published

1 month ago

March 8, 2024

Daniel Wanburg

You will have seen star actors stepping out of their chosen luxurious limousines when arriving at the Oscars ceremony, or premiere of their latest big budget film; other celebrities too, showing off their latest automobile acquisition – seemingly the more expensive and/or rarer the better – an on-going parade of how to spend your (sometimes not so) hard-earned net worth.

While many celebrities clearly enjoy the ostentatiousness of these show-off opportunities, others have far simpler tastes, often indulging in much simpler, cheaper and more fun-loving machines, so to speak, as opposed to those which you may well hesitate to take out onto public roads, or those which you can only get the best out of on a closed track – unless you want to risk the wrath of the law!

Following is a selection of celebrities who prefer to have at least one far more modest vehicle in their garage – admittedly some alongside a luxury model or two – but just maybe a case of transport for all occasions? See what you think…

Table of Contents

Steve Ballmer – Ford Fusion Hybrid – $35,000

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By far and away the richest single person on this list with more than $20 billion in the bank, what sort of vehicle(s) would you expect to see this person driving? Well, perhaps Steve is ahead of the field, as befits the ex-CEO of Microsoft (and owner of the LA Clippers of the NBA). The Hybrid is possibly associated more with town driving for the moment, but living close to Seattle, Steve probably has the best of both worlds, with the Rockies not too far out of town, and he is certainly still at the forefront of technology, and care for the environment.

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Leonardo DiCaprio – Toyota Prius – $20,000

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Despite the fact that his net worth is now close to $300 million, latest Oscar winner Leonardo is apparently another environmentalist, also prefering the quiet option of a hybrid car when moving around southern California, perhaps unsurprising after the lengthy, hectic, noisy schedule involved with his latest (Oscar-winning) film hit “The Revenant”. As with other celebrities, he may well prefer the relative anonymity of the car too – a little privacy is surely allowed, given that such stars are often thought of as public property.

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Justin Timberlake – Volkswagen Jetta – $16,000

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Another acting and singing star who seemingly prefers to go unnoticed when not on stage or screen, Justin could also afford something rather more ostentatious as his means of transport, as he has now racked-up a net worth of close to $200 million. However, this modest vehicle apparently gives him some relief from both paparazzi and adoring fans when not engaged on ‘official’ business, around his home town of Memphis or southern California where he now resides.

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Britney Spears – Mini-Cooper convertible – $25,000

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Actually, this relatively petite car somehow suits its relatively petite owner, far more so than those gross Mercedes G55 and Maserati Gran Tourismo vehicles she also owns. (Jealous? Nah!) Well, with a fortune approaching $200 million, the singing superstar can do pretty much as she pleases when selecting which car to drive today, but not forgetting her consistent philanthropic endeavours stretching back over more than 15 years. Maybe she deserves a luxury or two, doesn’t she?

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Conan O’Brien – Ford Taurus SHO – $24,000

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This host of comedy talk shows still drives the love of his life – well, one of them anyway. Really, this is a special model, sporting a Yamaha 3-litre V6 turbocharged engine producing over 220bhp, which Conan has reputedly owned for more than 20 years, long before his face became well known on evening TV around the US, and now around the world. Well, he does have a rather warped sense of humour, but he can afford to smile with a net worth of over $75 million.

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Clint Eastwood – GMC Typhoon – $30,000

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Another wolf-in-sheeps-clothing is driven by ‘Dirty” Harry Callaghan, AKA Clint Eastwood, one of the most recognisable stars of TV and the big screen with a career spanning six decades, which has brought him a deserved fortune of close to $400 million. Yes, this beast of the road also hides a 4.3-litre V6 turbocharged 280bhp under the hood – ready for the chase, or a getaway?

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LeBron James – Jeep Wrangler Unlimited – $26,000

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Another very well-paid, rich star with a stable of cars at home, LeBron can certainly afford whatever he wants, and has – Ferrari, Maybach, Hummer, Bentley, Mercedes, Porsche, Rolls-Royce – yet here he is, in a rather run-of-the-mill Wrangler. Seems that he doesn’t just have fun on the basketball court – if ‘fun’ is the right word for an athlete who needs to live up to his reputation of being one of THE highest paid in sport, including from endorsements. How much? A cool $42 million for seasons 2014-16 alone – enough for another Jeep, maybe?

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Daniel Radcliffe – Fiat Punto – $18,000

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AKA Harry Potter, this is allegedly the first car the British star purchased, a big difference to that which most young drivers aspire to when they finally get their licence. Well, he has only just made his first $100 million, so there’s still plenty of time, and many options to chose from. Maybe one of those ‘driverless’ cars? Now, what would Harry Potter drive in the real world…?

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Colin Farrell – Ford Bronco – $40,000

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Despite driving a myriad of vehicles during his film roles, Colin apparently isn’t too particular about what he drives privately, although he could certainly afford something a little more up-market if he chose, with a net worth of $30 million. Still, the award-winning Irishman is perhaps true to his roots, going for practicality over looks, but with a strong and reliable V8 on board.

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Mel Gibson – Toyota Cressida – $10,000

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Maybe this popular star of the “Mad Max” and “Lethal Weapon” series of films among many others is really trying to get around incognito? This vehicle in fact looks like a left-over refugee from one of those franchises, but perhaps it’s all he could afford after that messy expensive divorce settlement? Actually, this model sports a 200hp 3-litre V6 as its power pack, so maybe just enough to keep out of trouble? (PS – his net worth is still north of $400 million!)

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Tom Hanks – Scion Xb – $55,000

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The super- much-respected movie star seems to have been around forever, but has yet to reach 60. However, having amassed net worth approaching $400 million, he too could indulge in a Ferrari or… or… However, he prefers this modified, electric-engined model to get around Los Angeles anyway. Come to think of it, it doesn’t look much smaller than a Hummer… beware, traffic!

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Jennifer Lawrence – Volkswagen Eos – $35,000

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From starring in “Winter’s Bone” to “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and several other films drawing considerable praise, this rising actress with a net worth estimated at over $60 million could afford … well, whatever she wants, and she has, albeit a rather more modest means of transportation than many of her genre. Still, this 2-litre turbo-charged machine obviously provides adequate fun for this young lady.

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Jay Leno – GMC Syclone – $26,000

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Alright, so what if he is reputed to own a collection of more than 250 cars, this one is a little more modest, isn’t it? Well, looks can deceive, because actually less than 3,000 of this ‘special’ were produced, meaning that with a 4.3 litre V6 turbo-charged motor under the hood, Jay can get to wherever he’s going almost as quickly as he could driving his McLaren MP4-12, and with less attention, certainly on the open road. Now, which one will I buy… I mean drive today…? Now folks, I have to spend my $350 million net worth somehow!

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Pope Francis – Renault 4 – donated

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Yes, really! His Eminence is supposed to use what has come to be called ‘The Popemobile’, certainly on formal, crowded – one could say potentially dangerous – occasions, but then, without those flowing white robes and other regalia, who could possibly think that the person driving this modest car is actually the head of the Catholic church? Come to think of it, this is much more his style, confirming his persona of casual friendliness and humility, and allowing him to mix freely with his flock! As at least nominal controller of probably the richest entity in the world, the Pope could reasonably afford something a little more luxurious, but somehow this fits him well enough – after all, he is a parish priest, although his official title is Bishop of Rome.

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Daniel Wanburg

As the Managing Editor at Net Worth Post, I lead a talented team in delivering compelling content on the lives and achievements of influential figures. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I oversee the production of insightful biographies that resonate with our audience. My role involves not only managing the editorial process but also conducting research, crafting engaging narratives, and ensuring the accuracy and quality of our publications. At NetWorthPost, we strive to provide our readers with in-depth profiles that offer valuable insights into the worlds of business, entertainment, and beyond. Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, we bring to light the remarkable journeys and successes of individuals who inspire and captivate us.

Featured

Richest Women in the World – Net Worth

Published

1 month ago

March 5, 2024

Daniel Wanburg

Ladies, rejoice! Well, take heart anyway. Most of you (and most men as well) are unlikely to ever reach the giddy heights of financial independence associated with becoming a billionaire, but the percentage of women reaching that target measured against men is increasing annually, and they are spread around the world, not only in the largest economies of the USA and China (yes, several ladies, independent too, are located in China.)

Sadly (perhaps!?) none of the richest 20 women are actually self-made: they have inherited at least a large part of their wealth, which is not to say that they haven’t built on it. Of course, women live on average 5% longer lives than men world-wide, so it’s not surprising that male partners leave a large part of their wealth to their female partner, and of course in many cases to female offspring. Regardless, the number of self-made female billionaires* is also on the rise, although currently to a much lesser extent than women with largely inherited wealth, which is also probably unsurprising given that until the current generation, the attitude in most, including western cultures was that ‘the woman’s place is in the home’. The richest self-made woman in the world ranks 22nd.

Latest figures published by authoritative sources in late 2015 show a more than 15% percent rise in women billionaires in a year, now at 197 up from 172 in 2014, of 1826 and of 1748 total billionaires respectively, so currently 11% of the total number, up over 1% in a year. These numbers and percentages regarding women seem sure to rise, as more women, and therefore their ideas about many aspects of so many varying businesses attract a growing number of female clients – not forgetting that women have a greater say now within the household, and women themselves have far more disposable income now than, say, 30 years ago.

The following list is of the richest 20 women in the world, including nationality, source of wealth and marital status which sadly often reflects family losses. Total wealth can vary considerably from day-to-day given the volatility of share markets around the world, in which a great deal of wealth is literally invested or company values estimated, so do not be surprised if the net worth of some individuals is different when you read the article from when it was compiled in early 2016.

#	Personality	Age	Net Worth	Source of wealth	Nationality	Marital status
20	Milane Frantz	45	$6 billion	Enterprise Products – from father Dan L. Duncand d. 2010	American	Married
19	Randa Duncan Williams	53	$6 billion	Enterprise Products – from father Dan L. Duncand d. 2010	American	Married
18	Dannine Avara	41	$6 billion	Enterprise Products – from father Dan L. Duncand d. 2010	American	Married
17	Pansy Ho	53	$6.5 billion	Shun Tak Holdings – from father Stanley Ho in 2015	Hong Kong Chinese	Divorced
16	Huiyan Yang	34	$7 billion	Country Garden Holding RE – transferred from father Yeung Kwok Keung in 2007	Chinese	Married
15	Margarita Louis-Dreyfus	53	$8 billion	Louis Dreyfus – from husband Robert Louis-Dreyfus d. 2009	Russian-Swiss	Widowed
14	Antonia Johnson	72	$8 billion	Johnson Group – from father Axel Johnson d. 1988	Swedish-American	Single
13	Elaine Marshall	70	$9 billion	Koch Industries – from husband E. Pierce Marshall d. 2006	American	Divorced
12	Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken	61	$11 billion	Heineken – from father Freddy Heineken d. 2002	Italian	Married
11	Miuccia Prada	66	$11 billion	Prada – from grandfather Mario Prada in 1978	Italian	Married
10	Gina Rinehart	62	$12 billion	Resource shares – from father Lang Hancock d. 1992	Australian	Divorced
9	Johanna Quandt	89	$13 billion	BMW shares – from husband Herbert Quandt d. 1982	German	Widowed
8	Laurene Powell Jobs	52	$14 billion	Largest Apple shareholder – from husband Steve Jobs d. 2011	American	Widowed
7	Ann Cox Chambers	96	$15 billion	Owner Cox Enterprises – from father James M. Cox d. 1957	American	Married
6	Abigail Johnson	54	$17 billion	Fidelity: replaced father (owner) as CEO in 2014	American	Married
5	Susanne Klatten	53	$18 billion	BMW, Altana shares – from father Herbert Quandt d. 1982	German	Married
4	Jacqueline Mars	76	$20 billion	Mars shares – from father Forest Mars Sr. d. 1999	American	Divorced
3	Alice Walton	66	$36 billion	Wal Mart shares – from father Sam Walton d. 1992	American	Divorced
2	Liliane Bettencourt	93	$37 billion	L’Oreal shares – from husband Andre Bettencourt d. 2007	French	Widowed
1	Christy Walton	60	$39 billion	Wal Mart and First Solar shares – from husband John Walton killed 2005	American	Widowed

Entertainment

Music Greats – the Best Selling Albums of All Time!

Published

5 months ago

November 30, 2023

Daniel Wanburg

Many of you will be avid music fans, who have enjoyed reading about your favourite artists elsewhere on this site, including some details of their releases, singles as well as albums, and have wondered just how good they – the artists – and their music is, or was, in terms of popularity in comparison with the music world in general.

The word ‘popularity’ is important, because it is not reflected only in the number of albums sold, or indeed singles in days gone by, so debates will continue to rage, and with good reasons; one is the accuracy of sales figures both past and present, and also because of the cost of buying, now very small through the internet, for example, when compared with vinyl 30 or 40 years ago. Attendances at concerts given by artists – often in conjunction with the promotion of their latest album – are also unreliable, both in absolute figures, and in calculating gate receipts, as ‘promotion’ can refer to the distribution of free tickets too.

Even then, just how ‘popular’ were artists – soloists, choirs, and orchestras for example – prior to the widespread availability of recorded material, including in the days when concerts were largely the province of the relatively wealthy, in the times of what is now referred to as ‘classical music’?

The Best Selling Artists of All Time is the subject of another article, but here we present a list of the top 30 verifiable album sales of all time, worldwide, excluding digital downloads, so only two albums – Adele and The Beatles Compilation – were released in this century. Five artists/bands appear more than once, and all albums sold at least 30 million copies worldwide. Naturally the USA is the biggest market, reflected by most albums’ sales, but it is not confined to American artists. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) – an organisation founded in Italy in the ‘30s, but now registered in Switzerland – attempts to collate the number of sales. In the USA, platinum indicates a million copies sold; several countries have adopted this certification system but many have lesser numbers, usually as something approaching a ratio of the population in comparison with the US.

Rank	Artist	Albums (millions)
1	The Beatles	265
2	Elvis Presley	210
3	Michael Jackson	175
4	Madonna	166
5	Elton John	162
6	Garth Brooks	145
7	Led Zeppelin	140
8	The Eagles	132
9	Mariah Carey	130
10	Celine Dion	125
11	Pink Floyd	118
12	Eminem	115
13	Whitney Houston	112
14	AC/DC	110
15	Queen	108
16	U2	105
17	The Rolling Stones	102
18	Billy Joel	100
19	Bruce Springsteen	100
20	Barbra Streisand	97
21	Aerosmith	93
22	Metallica	90
23	Phil Collins	85
24	Britney Spears	80
25	Rod Stewart	75