This kid was a millionaire at just 12 years old.
He was earning $8 million per role by 14, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the world.
But his wealth and fame brought the evil out in his father and destroyed his family.
This is the story of Macaulay Culkin:
For the first Home Alone, Macaulay was paid just $100,000.
But after the movie grossed $476 million worldwide, he asked for $4.5 million to make Home Alone 2.
He was 12 years old and already richer than his parents – but it wasn’t all fun and fame…
When Mac found success in the 80s, his father Kit quit his job to become his manager.
By the early 90s, he was one of the highest-paid stars in the world – adults included.
But that’s when his father started to control him.
Every studio director wanted Macaulay to star in their movies.
He and his father even delayed the making of “The Good Son” by 9 months while the studio waited patiently.
But despite being exhausted and wanting time off after filming, Macaulay’s father ignored him.
Macaulay openly talks about how his father abused him and his siblings.
He even said his father didn’t give him a bed to sleep on just to “remind him who’s boss” when he rose to fame.
But in 1995, his parents split. And the court battle over Macaulay and his fortune began.
Their split kicked off a bitter battle for custody.
Macaulay had millions, but his mother’s spiraling lawyer fees meant she couldn’t pay rent.
They were about to get evicted…
All the while, Macaulay had zero clue of his full net worth.
And the only way to access his own money was to take his parents’ names off his trust fund.
His father was so furious he didn’t even show up for the last day of the custody trial.
Macauley never heard from him again.
Obviously, this isn’t the same as my situation since Macaulay got rich before his parents.
But the unusual thing here is: the parents feel like they have ownership.
Like it’s their money, not his.
This is something you only really see with child movie stars or celebrities.
But it just goes to show: money can destroy a family.
And there’s not many things in life that have the power to do that.
But without the right relationship to money, it will ALWAYS be put first.
If you’re an heir of a wealthy/influential family and would like to live a fulfilling life on your own terms…