Rags to Riches
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the thoroughbred race horse, see Rags to Riches (horse).
For the popular song, see Rags to Riches (song).
The term "Rags to Riches" refers to any situation in which a person rises from poverty to wealth, or sometimes from obscurity to fame. This is a common archetype in literature and popular culture (for example, the writings of Horatio Alger, Jr.).
Many stories feature a "rags to riches" theme, including:
- Fairy tales, such as Cinderella and Snow White
- Biblical figures, such as Moses and Joseph
- The Arthurian story of Sir Gareth, who rises from a lowly kitchen boy to a prominent Knight of the Round Table.
- Movies, such as Rocky, Citizen Kane, and Charlie Chaplin in The Gold Rush
- Video games, such as Rags to Riches, a 1985 computer game released for the Commodore 64
- Game shows like The Price is Right, Queen for a Day, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- Reality television shows such as American Idol, Joe Millionaire, and The Apprentice.
- Rags to Riches (TV series)
- Rags to Riches (song), from 1953, by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, popularized by Tony Bennett
- Rags to Riches (novel) a 1981 romance novel by Joanne Kaye (Rachel Cosgrove Payes)
These stories give the poor hope that they can rise to fame and wealth. They are most popular in societies such as the United States, where confidence in the ability to move between social classes is an important part of the national identity .
[edit] Notable people
These are famous people who have personally experienced a rags-to-riches life story
- Marilyn Monroe
- Fantasia Barrino
- Halle Berry
- Jim Carrey
- Ray Charles
- Bill Clinton
- Tom Cruise
- Cher
- Celine Dion
- Christopher Gardner
- Liz Murray
- Tyler Perry
- Elvis Presley
- Sidney Poitier
- Madam C.J. Walker
- Oprah Winfrey
- Britney Spears
- Eva Peron
