logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Steve Harvey Once Talked about Rough Time in His Life Where He Was Homeless for 3 Years

Olawale Ogunjimi
By Olawale Ogunjimi
Jan 21, 2020
05:30 P.M.

Life has not always been easy for Popular Television Host Steve Harvey; find out some of his challenging moments and how he survived.

Advertisement

The struggles we go through in life have a way of making or marring us. Some people get buried in their failures and never rise from it while others forge ahead, making the most of the lemons thrown their way.

Famous for his wisecracks and rumbling laughter, Steve Harvey is a man that does not look like what he has gone through. The comedian has had his fair share of lemons, and he has made some excellent lemonade juice out of them.

Steve Harvey speaking onstage during 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.| Photo:Getty Images

Steve Harvey speaking onstage during 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.| Photo:Getty Images

STEVE HARVEY'S STRUGGLES

Advertisement

Starting as a comedian in the late 80’s, Steve understood what it meant to struggle. While speaking in an interview with “People,” the 62-year-old opened up about being homeless after some of his gigs fell through. Harvey said:

“Suddenly, I was homeless… I had nowhere to go.”

Living out of his 1976 Ford Tempo, using an Igloo cooler in the backseat as a makeshift refrigerator, and washing up in hotel bathrooms, gas stations or swimming pool showers was the life Harvey knew.

 Steve Harvey at the 2019 Beloved Benefit at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 21, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.| Photo:Getty Images

Steve Harvey at the 2019 Beloved Benefit at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 21, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.| Photo:Getty Images

Advertisement

STEVE HARVEY HIT ROCK BOTTOM

Harvey is not the only celebrity who has had things rough, but he is perhaps the most heart wrenching because he had to live through this struggle for three years, and he hit rock bottom. “A week is really the maximum you can do. This was three years! It was rock bottom,” he said.

Being the father to seven lovely children and five grandchildren, Steve has gone from living in his car to owning various luxurious homes in both Chicago and Atlanta.

Going through a divorce at that time and having to send money to his children, the author expressed that faith was what kept him going. Harvey said, “But even in my darkest days, I had faith it would turn around.”

Advertisement

HARVEY FINALLY MADE HIS BIG BREAK

Having tried his hands at various other professions such as sales and professional boxing among others. Steve settled to hone his comedy skills and this paid off really well for him

Making it to the finals of the Second Annual Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search in 1989, he started making progress. He finally got his shot in 1993 on “Showtime at the Apollo,” where he eventually became the host of the syndicated variety show.

A few years after, Steve joined other comedians such as Cedric the Entertainer, D.L Hughley and Bernie Mac on the “Kings of Comedy” tour. The tour was such a massive success that Director Spike Lee made a movie about it.

 Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mack, stars of the movie "The Original Kings Of Comedy," get together at Planet Hollywood. |Photo:Getty Images

Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mack, stars of the movie "The Original Kings Of Comedy," get together at Planet Hollywood. |Photo:Getty Images

Advertisement

SUCCESS UPON SUCCESS

Looking at his humble beginning, one can not help but be amazed at how far Steve Harvey has come. Coming from living on paycheck to paycheck to having a net worth of almost 160 million dollars, the West Virginia born talk show host has done well for himself.

Being the father to seven lovely children and five grandchildren, Steve has gone from living in his car to owning various luxurious homes in both Chicago and Atlanta.

Steve Harvey on the show 'Family Fued' | Photo:Getty Images

Steve Harvey on the show 'Family Fued' | Photo:Getty Images

A brilliant businessman, he has amassed a lot for himself from not only comedy, but Steve has also written four best-selling self-help books, appeared in numerous movies and hosted top-notch shows and events such as “Family Feud” and “Miss Universe.”

Prone to advising women and men alike, Steve has proven that irrespective of the situation, one can emerge successfully.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts
Tina Campbell and Glendon "Teddy" Campbell | Source: Getty Images

Mary Mary's Tina Campbell Faces Husband's Filing, Igniting Reactions over Court Documents

April 15, 2026

Vincent Pastore | Source: Getty Images

'The Sopranos' Star Vincent Pastore Had Plans in the Works and Celebrated His 80th Birthday Just Weeks Before His Passing – What His Friend Had to Say

August 03, 2026

Matt Damon | Source: Getty Images

Matt Damon's Rare Family Moments with Wife and Daughters — Photos

June 09, 2026

The boy | Source: Instagram/damianhurley1

This Boy's Grandparents Disinherited Him – Now He's the Spitting Image of His Famous Mother

May 15, 2026

Chris Pine | Source: Getty Images

Chris Pine, 45, Turns Heads at French Open with Girlfriend — Photos

June 02, 2026

The British star as a child | The star (far left) with her family | Source: Instagram/gemmacollins

45-Year-Old Blonde British TV Star Stuns After Overcoming Early Struggles — From Hard Road to Fame to Scandalous Relationships, Rare Childhood Photos

April 16, 2026

Jonathan Taylor Thomas | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Richardson Posts Photo with Her 'Home Improvement' TV Sons — and Fans Can't Believe Their Eyes

July 31, 2026

Perez Hilton | Source: Getty Images

Perez Hilton's Miami Home Becomes the Center of a Police Response After a Troubling TikTok Live – Details

August 05, 2026

Erica and Tina Campbell | Source: Getty Images

Mary Mary's Erica and Tina Campbell: Marriage Crises, Hiatus, and Where They Are Now — Photos

May 21, 2026

Fabio | Source: Getty Images

Fabio Never Settled Down — AI Imagines What His Kids with Pamela Anderson, Cindy Crawford, and More Could Have Looked Like — 50+ Photos

August 06, 2026

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell | Source: Getty Images

Kurt Russell Makes Emotional Statement About His 40-Year Romance with Goldie Hawn

April 09, 2026