Lana Del Rey, the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her melancholic hits like "Summertime Sadness," recently revealed a pivotal moment in her early career: using her first paycheck to eliminate $17,200 in credit card debt. Despite her current success, Del Rey's journey to financial stability was fraught with challenges and humble beginnings.
Growing up in Lake Placid, New York, Del Rey, born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, worked various jobs to make ends meet. Before her rise to fame, she moved to New York City at 18 to study metaphysics at Fordham University. In an interview with CNBC Make It at the Breakthrough Prize presentation in Palo Alto, California, Del Rey recounted her struggle to earn a living, often taking odd jobs found on Craigslist.
