Aside from glamorous lives on the red carpet, these celebrities all share humble beginnings of being raised by teen parents.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1992. When she became pregnant with Selena, Gomez’s mother Amanda Dawn “Mandy” Teefey was only 16 years old.
Gomez’s parents divorced when she was little and she grew up with her mother being her guardian most of her childhood. Teefey has openly recalled how difficult it was financially growing up with her daughter while also working to support them both.
Gomez kicked off her career early, making a guest appearance on Barney & Friends. She eventually grew to fame for her role on Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place. From there she went on to find massive success in music, acting, and business.
Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is an English guitarist who was born in Ripley, Surrey in 1945. His mother, Patricia Molly Clapton was only 16 years old when she gave birth.
Eric Clapton was born out of wedlock, which led him to grow up with his grandparents. Clapton was told his mother, Patricia, was his sister growing up. He wasn’t aware of who his real parents were until later on in his life.
Clapton went on to become one of the best guitarists of all time with rock and blues music. He made music as a solo artist and with bands like Cream and Derek and the Dominos.
Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson was born in Neptune City, NJ in 1937. His mother, June Frances Nicholson, was just seventeen and unwed at the time of his birth.
Nicholson was raised by his maternal grandparents, and grew up thinking that June was his sister. It wasn’t until 1974, when Time magazine researchers delving into his biography uncovered the unusual circumstances of his birth, that Nicholson learned the truth about his family background.
Nicholson eventually became one of Hollywood’s most well known actors, winning three Oscars and many other awards throughout his career.
Jeff Bezos
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964. His mother, Jacklyn Gise, was 17 years old and a high-school student at the time of his birth.
Bezos has recounted that having a baby was challenging for his young mother as she tried to keep up with school. She eventually graduated from high school and continued onto college.
When Bezos was four years old, Jacklyn married Miguel “Mike” Bezos, who adopted Jeff. Bezos has spoken fondly of his adoptive father on many occasions.
Years later, Bezos would start Amazon and become one of the world’s most famous CEOs.
50 Cent
Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, entered the world in Queens, New York, back in 1975. His mother, Sabrina Jackson, was just 15 years old when she gave birth to him.
Sabrina worked as a drug dealer to support herself and her son. When Curtis was eight years old, she died of an apartment fire. Curtis was raised by his grandparents after her death.
50 Cent eventually embraced the struggles of his childhood as part of his brand. His debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, was a commercial hit, and he went on to pursue music, acting, and entrepreneurial roles.
Barack Obama
Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was only 18 years old when Obama was born. Technically that makes her a teenager.
Obama’s parents divorced when he was young, and he lived with his mother for a time. His maternal grandparents also occasionally provided a home for him in Hawaii. After his mother remarried, they relocated to Indonesia for a period of a few years.
Later in life, Obama would hold the office of President of the United States. He occupied the White House for two presidential terms as the 44th president.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber was born in 1994 in London, Ontario. Pattie Mallette was 18 years old when she gave birth. She had become pregnant at age 17 and raised Bieber mostly as a single mother.
She supported Bieber’s musical aspirations and uploaded videos of him singing. Through her son’s YouTube videos, she ultimately managed to get the attention of talent manager Scooter Braun.
Bieber became famous while he was still a teenager. His debut studio album My World 2.0 turned him into an international pop star and one of the best-selling musicians of his generation.
Jared Leto
Actor Jared Leto was born in Bossier City, Louisiana in 1971. Jared’s mother, Constance, was a teenager when he was born.
Leto and his older brother Shannon were raised mostly by their mother. The brothers experienced a rather nomadic upbringing. Their mother fostered creativity in her sons and allowed them to explore art and music.
Leto got into acting and pursued music, becoming a household name for starring in films like Requiem for a Dream and Dallas Buyers Club. He is also the lead singer and guitarist for the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey grew up in Kosciusko, Mississippi in 1954. Vernita Lee, Oprah’s mother, gave birth to Oprah at age 18. Vernita Lee was unmarried and worked as a housemaid.
Growing up was not easy for Oprah. She was raised by her grandmother while her mother worked. Following a childhood of hardship and moving between relatives, Oprah ultimately achieved success in broadcasting.
She started working at a radio station as a teenager. Oprah would grow to be one of the most powerful voices in media. Her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show became the highest rated daytime talk show in history. Today, Oprah is an actress, author, producer, and philanthropist known around the world.
Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon was born in San Diego during the year of 1980 to parents James Cannon and Beth Gardner who were both 17 years old. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised partly by his paternal grandparents.
Cannon found interest in performing at a young age and began performing stand-up comedy on his fathers’ public-access television show. He eventually became an actor, comedian, rapper, producer, and television host. Some of his most notable works are Wild ‘N Out and America’s Got Talent.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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