15 People Who Were Fired Before They Became Filthy Rich

Getting fired stings. But for some folks, it was the best thing that ever happened to them. Let's meet the ultimate comeback kids who turned termination papers into gold sealed envelopes.

1. Oprah Winfrey

Before she became the queen of television, Oprah was shown the door from a Baltimore news station. Her boss reportedly said she was unfit for TV. Let's just say that's the worst career advice in history.

2. Walt Disney

Young Walt got fired from a newspaper because his editor thought he lacked imagination. Yeah, the guy who created Mickey Mouse lacked imagination. Let that sink in.

3. Steve Jobs

Jobs was booted from his own company in 1985. Apple thought he was too difficult. Five years later, they literally bought him back. Who's difficult now?

4. J.K. Rowling

Rowling was laid off from her marketing job and hit rock bottom. Then she started writing about a wizard kid on a scrap of paper. The rest is billions in book sales.

5. Sheryl Sandberg

At Google's early days, Sandberg was told she wasn't good enough for a promotion. She left and became Facebook's COO. Mic drop.

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6. Madonna

Before the Material Girl ruled the charts, she worked at Dunkin' Donuts. The manager literally fired her for throwing dough at a customer. Okay, that one's a little fair.

7. Robin Williams

Williams was let go from an NBC sitcom that couldn't handle his freewheeling comedy style. Fine. He went on to make billions in movies. The network should have just let him run wild.

8. Thomas Edison

Edison was considered too slow at learning in school and was home-schooled. His first electric company also failed spectacularly. Then, boom — The Wizard of Menlo Park.

9. Vera Wang

The fashion icon was cut from Vogue's editorial team after 16 years. Apparently, someone at Vogue watched their own biggest competitor stumble. Her billion-dollar bridal empire says otherwise.

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10. Henry Ford

Ford was fired from his job at Edison Illuminating Company. He went on to build the Model T and revolutionize cars forever. Detroit thanks you, Henry.

11. Coco Chanel

Chanel was poached from a fashion house after being told her ideas were too bold and bizarre. She launched her own label and changed style for all time. Her little black dress remains iconic.

12. Yeah Absolutely — Jeff Bezos

Okay, technically Bezos quit, but he left a Wall Street goldmine behind. His boss begged him to stay. Imagine begging someone not to leave your company, only to watch them become the richest human alive.

13. Vera Bradley's Founders

The founders were told their colorful, quilty bags had no market. Turns out millions of women disagreed. Their brand went on to be worth hundreds of millions.

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14. Harrison Ford

Ford got a carpentry job at Lucasfilm when his acting gate was firmly closed. Then Han Solo happened. And Indiana Jones. And off he flew.

15. Tim Robbins

Robbins was literally booted off a major studio's marquee early in his career for being too eccentric. He later won an Oscar and built an empire as a director. Odd wins sometimes.

Here's the wild truth: getting fired doesn't have to mean you're finished. Those a-ha moments often happen right after you're packed up with your desk plant. The best chapters of many success stories start with a really bad Tuesday.

So the next time life slams a door on you, take a beat. Then go build your own house on the hill. You just might have your own after-firing fortune to brag about.