People's twenties are often described as a time for exploration and searching, yet it can feel like all of the decisions made at such an age will cement the kind of future a person will have. Below, are 11 people who weren't quite on track in their twenties, but turned around to become some of the most successful people in the world today.
1. JK Rowling
One of the most well known famous people to admit that her start was not the most glamorous. At the age of 25 she came up with the idea for the Harry Potter series, but she was living in relative poverty, living paycheck to paycheck to try and support herself and her daughter.
2. Walt Disney
It's a widely acknowledged fact that Walt Disney's companies went bankrupt before the Mouse and brand we know now came alive, but it is hardly appreciated that a young man could pull himself up out of bankruptcy to have created a brand that is now one of the most recognizable and profitable businesses in the world.
3. James Patterson
Best selling author in multiple categories, from young adult to thriller, James Patterson can now be considered a household name. But, his first novel wasn't published until 1976 when he was 29. Yet, Patterson's first big hit didn't come until he was almost 50 years old, with the success only climbing from there.
4. Tina Fey
At twenty years old Tina Fey was working as a receptionist at her local YMCA while taking night classes and dreaming of breaking into the industry. Not only did she later break into the industry, but she molded it in a reflection of herself and a new type of honesty that audiences loved.
5. Stephen King
Another household name, even if you're not a reader you have probably heard of Stephen King at some point. He's a best selling author who is said to be the best horror and thriller writer of all time, but at twenty he was working as a janitor while he wrote his manuscripts.
6. Jerry Seinfeld
The first time that the comedian went onto stage, long before the show about nothing, he froze at the sight of the audience and was jeered off stage. Lucky for him, he didn't let that stop him from pursuing a career in comedy and later had a break through in the form of his own TV show.
7. Steven Spielberg
The man has grossed billions of dollars with his wide array of movies, but before he was a hot shot Spielberg was rejected by the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinema Arts twice. Now, he has a building on the campus named after him.
8. Chris Rock
After dropping out of high school and deciding against going to college, Chris Rock worked jobs at various fast food restaurants, picking up work where he could get it and dreaming of one day being in the spotlight. Finally, in 1984 he began doing stand up comedy, quickly rising in the ranks and earning his merit.
9. Dr. Seuss
At the age of 33 Theodor Seuss Geisel had his first book published, after being rejected by almost 30 publishers. Dr. Seuss's books went on to sell over 600 million copies world wide, with the number still growing today.
10. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah was fired from her job of 6 o'clock news anchor on Baltimore's WJZ-TV in 1977. It would be along journey for her to eventually have her own TV show that would run for 25 seasons and eventually lead her to have her own network and amazing charities.
11. You
Wherever you are, or were, or will be when you are 20 is not the place that you will be for the rest of your life. Maybe you will get the promotion, maybe you'll change careers, or maybe even get fired. So much growth will continue to happen throughout your life, so if you don't have it together don't worry, most people don't.
