In Good Company–Don’t Feel Bad!
People facing financial difficulties generally feel guilty, embarrassed and somewhat isolated from the rest of the community. They are reluctant to file for bankruptcy because they are afraid they will be branded as failures and as irresponsible by the public. They do not realize that many people, including famous celebrities, have faced similar financial difficulties, and filed for bankruptcy to discharge their debts. You may feel hesitant, guilty or embarrassed when you consider bankruptcy. It is not an easy choice and never the first choice. Yet many prominent, famous and “once rich” did it. Some became rich again after clearing out the old debt. Here’s a sample list of famous people (and companies) who filed bankruptcy:
- H. Robbins
- America West Airlines
- Ameridebt
- Andy Gibbs
- Anita Bryant
- Bjorn Borg
- Bowie Kuhn
- Burt Reynolds
- Cindy Lauper
- Chef Geoffrey Zakarian
- David Crosby
- Debbie Reynolds
- Donald Trump
- Dorothy Dandridge
- Dorothy Hamill
- Eddie Fisher
- Faith Christian Family Church
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Frank Baum
- Gary Coleman
- Gaylord Perry
- George Jones
- George McGovern
- Harry and David (gift baskets)
- Henry Ford
- H.J. Heinz
- Isaac Hayes
- Jackie Maso
- James Whistler
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- John Connally
- Johnny Unitas
- KayBee Toys
- Kim Bassinger
- K-Mart
- L. Frank Baum
- Larry King
- Latoya Jackson
- Lawrence Taylor
- Lenny Dykstra
- Leon Spinks
- Lorraine Bracco
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Lynn Redgrave
- M.C. Hammer
- Macy’s
- Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky
- Margot Kidman
- Mark Twain
- Marvin Gay
- Mathew Brady
- Meatloaf
- Melvin Belli
- Mickey Rooney
- Mike Tyson
- Milton Hershey
- Montgomery Ward
- National Enquirer newspaper
- Oscar Wilde
- P.T. Barnum
- Pan Am
- Pat Paulson
- Penn Central
- Peter Bogdonovitch
- Philadelphia Orchestra
- Randy Quaid
- Red Foxx
- Sherman Hemsley
- T.W.A.
- Tammy Wynette
- Texaco
- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davenport, Iowa, 2006.
- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon , 2004
- Tom Petty
- Toni Braxton
- Walt Disney
- Wards
- Wayne Newton
- Willie Nelson
Sports Figures:
Sports Illustrated, for example, estimated in 2009 that 78 percent of NFL players are bankrupt or facing serious financial stress within two years of ending their playing careers and that 60 percent of NBA players are broke within five years of retiring from the game
- Allen Iverson
- Antoine Walker
- Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario
- Bjorn Borg
- Bobby Orr
- Darren McCarty
- Dennis Rodman
- Denny McClain
- Deuce McCallister
- Dick Lane
- Evander Hollyfield
- John Daly
- Kenny Anderson
- Latrell Sprewell
- Lawrence Taylor
- Lenny Dykstra
- Leon Spinks
- Marion Jones
- Mark Brunell
- Michael Vick
- Mike Tyson
- Muhin Muhammad
- Rollie Fingers
- Scott Eyre
- Scottie Pippen
- Sheryl Swoopes
- Travis Henry
- Warren Sapp
and the list goes on…..