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Their stories provide a little inspiration to those with wealth-building aspirations who havent quite reached millionaire status.
Heres a look at 15 people who became millionaires after 40 and how they earned their money.
Also see10 billionaires who amassed their wealth after 40.
Sam Walton
Sam Waltons career began during World War II when he served as an Army captain.
However, it wasnt until he turned 44 that he opened the first Walmart store.
Walton died with an estimated net worth of $8.6 billion.
Barack Obama
Americas 44th president, Barack Obama, didnt reach millionaire status until his 40s.
In 2004, he signed a book deal for two nonfiction books and a childrens book.
He received a $1.9 million advance for one of the nonfiction books.
Steve Carell
Steve Carells acting career began in the 1990s.
He appeared on several television shows, including The Dana Carvey Show and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Since then, hes appeared in multiple comedy films, and he has anestimated net worthof $80 million.
Donald Fisher
Donald Fisher founded Gap Inc. with his wife, Doris, in his early 40s.
The Gap later evolved to include GapKids, babyGap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart began her career as a Wall Street stockbroker.
She worked for a small firm for five years until she opened a catering business in the 1970s.
Her brand grew as she published additional books and released the Martha Stewart Living magazine.
Stewart now has an estimated net worth of $400 million.
He started the company in his mid-40s.
Lucille Ball
Lucille Balls early career began as a model.
She worked as a cigarette girl before moving to Hollywood to pursue acting.
Ball had minor successes with roles in The Three Musketeers and Stage Door.
I Love Lucy propelled Balls acting career and finances.
She died with an estimated net worth of $60 million in 1989.
At that time, he was in his mid-30s.
They began franchising the brand three years later and reached millionaire status.
The Huffington Post quickly gained steam, winning a Pulitzer Prize in 2012.
AOLs purchase of the website netted approximately $100 million for Huffington.
Huffington has an estimated net worth of $100 million.
Henry Ford
Henry Ford started his career as a machinist for a shipbuilding company in Detroit.
Later, he was hired as an engineer for the Detroit Edison Company.
During that time, he began designing plans for a gas-powered buggy on his own.
The year he turned 40, he started the Ford Motor Company.
Before then, he worked as a writer for Saturday Night Live.
David now has an estimated net worth of $400 million.
Julia Child
World-renowned chef Julia Child started her career as a copywriter for W. & J. Sloane.
In her 30s, she joined the Office of Strategic Services as a researcher duringWorld War II.
At 49, she published her first book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
That took off, leading to multiple other cookbooks and her television show, The French Chef.
She died with an estimated net worth of $50 million.
James Dyson
James Dyson spent his early career studyingart, furniture and interior design.
After testing over 5,000 prototypes, Dyson found a solution that used a cylindrical container rather than a bag.
Dyson now has an estimated net worth of $22 billion.
Bryan Cranston
During his childhood, Bryan Cranston watched his father fail to succeed in acting.
However, after taking an elective course in acting, Cranston changed his mind.
He spent several years living on the road and doing short-term work before pursuing acting.
In his mid-40s, he received a career-boosting role in Malcolm in the Middle.
That led to his major breakthrough as Walter White in Breaking Bad.
Cranston has an estimated net worth of $40 million.
Vera Wang
Vera Wangs first career was in figure skating.
She reached the U.S.
Figure Skating Championships but failed to qualify for the Olympics.
After that, she began working in fashion.
The year she turned 40, Wang decided to open a bridal gown store in New York City.
Initially, she sold dresses from other fashion designers but began designing her own gowns.
Today, you’re free to find her designs in many high-end retail stores.
Wang has an estimated net worth of $650 million.
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