The Rich and Famous Money Book: Investment Strategies of Leading Celebrities - Hardcover

We've seen their homes. We've heard about their loves. Now, we get a glimpse at their bottom lines.

In The Rich & Famous Money Book, SmartMoney magazine's Jean Chatzky looks at the investment strategies of leading celebrities while providing a wealth of financial planning advice that the rest of us can profit from. Discover how those enjoying the high life can suddenly find themselves without a dime. Or how prudent investors who earned a small fortune as a result of fame were able to transform it into true, lasting financial security. How much did Mike Ditka lose on his failed "Ditka Dogs" weiner franchise? How much of Jeff Blake's investments are in real estate?

Here, celebrities such as Matt Lauer, Dennis Rodman, Dave Barry, Alan Dershowitz, Apollo 13's Jim Lovell, designer Nicole Miller, chef Emeril (The Essence of Emeril) Lagasse, Raoul Felder, and Ivana Trump speak candidly and at length about a wide range of money issues. Their portfolios are as diverse as their personalities. Their preferred investment instruments range from real estate and mutual funds to blue chip stocks and municipal bonds. Their insightful stories are filled with words of wisdom and helpful tips on everything from the financial lessons taught them by their parents to the ideals they'd like to teach their own children, from the investment mistakes they've made to the financial setbacks they've experienced—and overcome.

Along with surprising details on what company stocks these rich and famous names hold, and how their assets are allocated, there's also expert advice on how to apply their tactics to your own portfolio, as well as guidelines on starting your own business, saving for retirement, assessing your own risk level, investing in real estate, and much, much more.

A one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes look at the finances of some of today's biggest—and savviest—household names, The Rich & Famous Money Book is an entertaining, informative, and eye-opening read that both stargazers and investors alike will savor.

Investment Strategies of Leading Celebrities

"Americans have ample role models for how to spend money, but too few on how to save and invest it. Jean Chatzky's new book may change that, however. By showing us how celebrities have incorporated financial decision making into their lives, this book sends a powerful and valuable message that investing is something that all of us can, and indeed should, do." — Don Phillips President, Morningstar, Inc.

"Jean has revealed the true innermost secrets of the '90s—how accomplished people make, spend, and invest their money. A good read and great advice all in one." —Donna Hanover broadcast journalist and First Lady of the City of New York

"A book that shows the rich and famous have money problems, too, and how we can avoid them. Jean Chatzky makes learning how to save like the rich and famous lots of fun!" —Al Roker NBC Today

Who's in The Rich & Famous Money Book?

An Astronaut Jim Lovell

Businesspeople Jim Clark, David & Helen Gurley Brown, Dave Thomas, Lillian Vernon

A Fashion Designer Nicole Miller

A News Anchor Matt Lauer

Good Sports Jeff Blake, Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Dennis Rodman, Don Slaught

A Comedian David Brenner

Lawyers Alan Dershowitz, Raoul Felder

Chefs Emeril Lagasse, The Too Hot Tamales, Charlie Trotter

Financial Gurus Lou Dobbs, Ken and Daria Dolan, Alan "Ace" Greenberg, Charles Schwab

Writers Dave Barry, Olivia Goldsmith

And even . . . Ivana