Some of the world’s richest and most famous people have made a surprising choice: not leaving their kids a fortune. Instead of passing down millions, these celebrities want their children to earn their own way in life.
It might sound shocking at first, but many of them have very thoughtful reasons behind the decision. From pop stars to tech billionaires, here are 13 celebrities who chose to limit what their kids will inherit.
1. Daniel Craig
James Bond himself has some strong opinions about passing down wealth. Daniel Craig once called leaving large sums of money to your children “distasteful,” and he meant it.
His philosophy is simple: get rid of it or give it away before you go.
Rather than set his kids up with a cushion of cash, Craig wants them to build their own lives. It’s a bold stance from one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors.
2. Marie Osmond
Marie Osmond has never been shy about her parenting philosophy, and her stance on inheritance is no exception. The beloved entertainer has openly said she plans to leave nothing to her children when she passes.
Her reason? She believes handing over a fortune would actually be a “disservice” to them.
Osmond wants her kids to discover the pride and purpose that come from earning their own success, just like she did.
3. Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay has built a culinary empire worth hundreds of millions, but don’t expect his five kids to cash in on it. He’s been clear that his wealth is “definitely not going” to them, and he says it’s not meant to be harsh.
Ramsay has offered to cover a 25% deposit on a flat for each child, which he sees as a fair head start. Beyond that, they’re on their own, and he’s perfectly fine with that.
4. Bill Gates
Bill Gates has pledged to give away the vast majority of his enormous fortune during his lifetime. He believes that leaving massive wealth to his children could actually distort their ambitions and limit their drive to achieve something meaningful on their own.
Each of his three children will reportedly receive around $10 million each, which sounds like a lot but is a tiny fraction of his net worth. Gates calls it a thoughtful balance between support and independence.
5. Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett has pledged to donate 99 percent of his fortune to charity, leaving just a sliver for his children. Even that sliver from an $82 billion fortune is still a comfortable sum, but it’s far less than most people would expect.
Buffett has long believed that setting kids up with too much money robs them of ambition. He wants his family to feel motivated, not entitled, and his will reflects that belief completely.
6. Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan once made headlines when he announced he planned to donate his entire fortune to charity rather than leave it to his son, Jaycen. His reasoning was straightforward: wealthy parents do their children a disservice by simply handing over money.
Chan believes young people should hustle, struggle a little, and create their own success stories. It’s a philosophy shaped by his own rise from poverty to global stardom, and he clearly hasn’t forgotten where he started.
7. Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell may be one of the sharpest minds in the music industry, but when it comes to inheritance, he’s taking a softer approach with his son Eric. Cowell has said he doesn’t believe in passing wealth from one generation to the next.
Instead, he plans to leave the bulk of his fortune to charities focused on helping children and animals. It’s a surprising move from someone known for being tough, but it shows a genuinely charitable heart.
8. Sting
Sting has six children, but none of them should expect a hefty trust fund waiting for them. The legendary musician has been open about his belief that trust funds cause more harm than good, making young people complacent rather than motivated.
He expects his kids to roll up their sleeves and earn their own living. Interestingly, Sting has also mentioned spending a great deal of his fortune on maintaining his lifestyle, so there may not be as much left as fans imagine.
9. Elton John
Elton John wants his children to be financially secure, but he draws a firm line at handing them a silver spoon. He’s said openly that giving kids too much too soon “ruins their life,” and he wants to make sure his sons understand the real value of money.
John emphasizes teaching his children respect for hard work and financial responsibility. For someone who has lived one of the most extravagant lives in pop history, that’s a genuinely grounded perspective.
10. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis
Hollywood power couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis made waves when they announced their kids won’t be inheriting their combined fortune. The two plan to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes they care deeply about.
Their goal is to raise children who feel motivated to work hard and appreciate what they have, rather than coast on their parents’ success. Kunis has said she wants her kids to feel the reward of earning something truly their own.
11. Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lawson, the beloved food writer and TV personality, has spoken candidly about not wanting to leave her children a large inheritance. She worries that too much money can strip young people of the hunger and drive they need to find their own path.
Lawson has said she’d rather her kids build their own financial security through effort and creativity. Coming from someone who built her brand from scratch, it’s advice rooted in personal experience rather than just theory.
12. Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger has eight children, and reports suggest he does not intend to leave them a massive slice of his estimated $500 million fortune. The Rolling Stones frontman has reportedly expressed the view that his kids should make their own way in the world.
Given that Jagger himself clawed his way to the top through raw talent and relentless work, the expectation feels fair. His children span several decades in age, but the message to all of them appears to be the same: earn it yourself.
13. Andrew Lloyd Webber
Broadway and West End legend Andrew Lloyd Webber has made it known that his children should not count on his vast fortune. The composer behind iconic musicals like Phantom of the Opera has said he believes strongly in the value of self-made success.
Lloyd Webber reportedly plans to leave the majority of his wealth to charitable foundations rather than divide it among his children. He sees philanthropy as a far better legacy than simply passing cash down the family line.