World’s 20 Richest People Revealed (6 of 11)

11. Tyler Perry: $1.4 billion

Tyler Perry, a writer, director, and actor, rose to fame with his Madea character, a sassy, street tough elderly African American woman. Although the hugely successful Madea franchise grossed over $660 million, Perry’s true wealth comes from owning the rights to his films, plays, and shows. This allows him to control a large chunk of the profits, solidifying his billionaire status.

Bonus Fact: Before his entertainment success, Perry spent time homeless, living out of his car. This period heavily influenced his work, which often explores themes of poverty and perseverance.

10. Peter Jackson: $1.5 billion

Peter Jackson, the visionary filmmaker behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to cinema. His meticulous attention to detail and innovative use of special effects have earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards. Beyond Middle-earth, Jackson’s diverse filmography includes King Kong and The Hobbit series.

Bonus Fact: Jackson’s earliest films, like Bad Taste (1987) and Dead Alive (1992), were made with a shoestring budget and a lot of DIY ingenuity. Jackson himself crafted many of the special effects and props, even using his mother’s oven to bake some of the prosthetics!