LGBTQ+ Actresses Who Lost Fortunes

The glitz of Hollywood often masks the financial instability that many performers face behind the scenes. While fame can generate massive wealth, it does not always guarantee long-term security against legal battles, mismanagement, or personal struggles. Several LGBTQ+ actresses have experienced significant financial hardships that depleted their savings and threatened their careers. These stories highlight how quickly a fortune can vanish due to unforeseen circumstances or systemic industry challenges.

Amber Heard

Known for her role in ‘Aquaman’, this bisexual actress faced a highly publicized defamation trial that resulted in a massive financial setback. The court ordered her to pay millions in damages, which significantly outweighed her available assets at the time. She was forced to sell her California home and relied on insurance policies to cover some legal fees. Her financial situation became a central topic of discussion as she navigated the aftermath of the verdict.

Lindsay Lohan

This star of ‘Mean Girls’ earned millions during the height of her teen stardom but faced severe financial trouble in her twenties. Ongoing legal issues and personal struggles led to a depletion of her funds and the seizure of her bank accounts by the IRS. She reportedly owed hundreds of thousands in unpaid taxes while her earning potential temporarily stalled. Lohan eventually rebuilt her life and career abroad after years of monetary instability.

Anne Heche

Heche openly discussed the financial toll that coming out as bisexual in the 1990s took on her career. The actress claimed that her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres caused her to be fired from a multi-million dollar picture deal and blacklisted by major studios. She spent years working in independent films to maintain her livelihood after losing out on blockbuster paychecks. Following her tragic death, her estate faced further complications regarding outstanding debts.

Courtney Love

The Golden Globe-nominated actress and musician stated that she lost hundreds of millions of dollars from the Nirvana estate. Love claimed that a vast fortune was siphoned off by others or lost through excessive litigation and fraud. She faced numerous lawsuits that drained her liquidity and forced her to sell assets. Despite the massive loss, she continued to work in entertainment and fashion to maintain her income.

Da Brat

This rapper and actress, who appeared in ‘Glitter’, filed for bankruptcy after a legal judgment went against her. A civil suit regarding a nightclub altercation resulted in a verdict ordering her to pay millions to the plaintiff. She declared liabilities that far exceeded her assets, which included debts to the IRS and other creditors. The financial ruling severely impacted her accumulated wealth from her music and acting career.

Lady Gaga

Although she is now a global superstar, the ‘A Star Is Born’ actress admitted to being technically bankrupt during her early career. She invested her entire fortune into the production of her Monster Ball tour to ensure the show met her artistic standards. The gamble left her millions of dollars in debt before the tour eventually became profitable. She managed to recover quickly due to the massive success of her subsequent albums and acting roles.

Rose McGowan

McGowan, a star of ‘Charmed’, sold her home and liquidated assets to fund her legal battles against Harvey Weinstein. The non-binary actress sacrificed her financial stability to speak out against abuse in Hollywood and cover the costs of her activism. She stated that the legal warfare drained her savings and impacted her ability to secure acting work. Her actions were pivotal in the #MeToo movement despite the personal financial cost.

Josephine Baker

The legendary entertainer and civil rights activist made a fortune in Europe but lost it due to her idealistic projects. Baker purchased a chateau in France to house her “Rainbow Tribe” of adopted children, but the operational costs eventually led to bankruptcy. She was forcibly evicted from her home and lost her accumulated wealth before receiving aid from Princess Grace of Monaco. She spent her final years performing to support her large family.

Marlene Dietrich

Dietrich was one of the highest-paid actresses of her era, yet she spent her final years in a state of near-poverty. The bisexual icon famously stopped working to maintain her mysterious image but continued to spend lavishly. She faced significant tax debts and relied on the support of friends and meager savings to survive in her Paris apartment. Her extensive wardrobe and jewelry were among the few assets she retained until the end.

Alla Nazimova

A silent film star and lesbian icon, Nazimova earned a tremendous salary but lost her fortune producing the film ‘Salome’. The movie was a critical failure at the time and bankrupted her production company. She was forced to convert her famous Sunset Boulevard estate, the Garden of Allah, into a hotel to generate income. Nazimova spent the rest of her career taking supporting roles to sustain herself.

Louise Brooks

Brooks, a flapper icon and star of ‘Pandora’s Box’, quit Hollywood and the film industry after refusing to conform to studio demands. Her departure from acting led to a steep decline in her financial status, and she eventually worked as a sales clerk to survive. She lived in a modest apartment for decades, largely forgotten by the industry that once paid her thousands. It was only later in life that her contributions to cinema were rediscovered.

Barbara Payton

Payton was a promising actress in the 1950s whose career imploded due to personal scandals and addiction. The bisexual starlet spent her fortune on legal fees and substances, eventually losing her contract and home. She drifted into destitution and was arrested multiple times for passing bad checks and prostitution. She died penniless at a young age after completely exhausting her Hollywood earnings.

Veronica Lake

Known for her peek-a-boo hairstyle and roles in films like ‘Sullivan’s Travels’, Lake was a major box office draw who died with very little money. Her reputation for being difficult on set and her struggles with alcohol led to a sharp career decline. She eventually left Hollywood and was discovered working as a cocktail waitress in New York City. Her final years were spent in relative obscurity with significantly reduced financial means.

Billie Holiday

The legendary jazz singer and actress in ‘New Orleans’ battled systemic racism and addiction throughout her life. Despite her immense talent and fame, she was frequently exploited by managers and lost money to legal troubles and substance abuse. She was arrested on her deathbed and reportedly died with less than a dollar attached to her hospital record. Her estate remains valuable today, but she saw very little of that wealth at the end of her life.

Whitney Houston

Houston, who starred in ‘The Bodyguard’, earned hundreds of millions during her career but faced severe debt before her death. Reports indicated that she had exhausted much of her fortune on addiction and lifestyle expenses. She reportedly relied on cash advances from her record label to cover ongoing costs. Her fluid sexuality was revealed later in documentaries, which highlighted the personal struggles that accompanied her financial decline.

Tallulah Bankhead

A stage and screen legend, Bankhead was known for her uninhibited bisexuality and ‘Lifeboat’ performance. She came from a wealthy political family but burned through her earnings with extravagant spending and generosity. She often stated that she spent her money on bourbon and men, claiming the rest was just wasted. By the end of her life, her fortune was largely depleted, though she continued to work to support her lifestyle.

Heather Matarazzo

The ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse’ actress wrote a candid essay revealing that she hit rock bottom financially after a stall in her career. Despite being a recognized name, she found herself with no money and contemplated suicide due to the stress. She noted that perceived success does not equal financial stability in the current Hollywood climate. Matarazzo eventually began rebuilding her career after publicizing her struggle.

Bella Thorne

After leaving her Disney Channel show ‘Shake It Up’, Thorne found herself with only $200 in her bank account. The pansexual actress was technically a minor when the show ended and faced immediate financial pressure to support her family. She turned to social media and other ventures to rapidly rebuild her wealth and avoid bankruptcy. She has since become a mogul, but her post-Disney transition was marked by severe financial fear.

Drew Barrymore

Barrymore is now a successful talk show host, but she was an emancipated minor who faced financial ruin as a teenager. After her early success in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’, she struggled with addiction and was institutionalized, which drained her early earnings. She worked in a coffee shop at one point before revitalizing her acting career in the 1990s. Her journey from a broke teen to a media mogul is a testament to her resilience.

Margaret Cho

Comedian and actress Margaret Cho has spoken about the financial rollercoaster of show business. After her sitcom ‘All-American Girl’ was cancelled, she faced a period of personal and financial difficulty. She dealt with substance abuse issues that further strained her resources before reinventing herself as a stand-up icon. Cho openly discusses these hardships to highlight the volatility of entertainment careers.

Please tell us in the comments which story surprised you the most or if there are other stars you think should be on this list.