The Pressure to Be Successful by 30 Is a Lie—Here’s Why

Turning 30 has a way of making you feel like life is on a countdown clock. Society pushes this idea that by the time you hit the big 3-0, you should have it all figured out—a thriving career, a dream home, a soulmate-level partner, a passport full of stamps, and maybe even a kid or two. But what if you don’t? What if you’re still navigating a job that pays the bills but doesn’t fulfill you? What if your love life is complicated, or your student loans feel like a second rent payment? That pressure can feel overwhelming, like you’re somehow falling behind.

But here’s the truth nobody tells you: most of us are still figuring it out. In fact, a lot of people don’t hit their stride until their 30s, 40s, or even later. The idea that success has a deadline? That’s a myth we’ve been fed for years—one that’s only made worse by social media, where it seems like everyone but you is thriving.

If you need a little inspiration, here’s a list of successful Black people who didn’t hit their stride until after 30:

1. Oprah Winfrey

Before she became the billionaire media mogul we know today, Oprah faced extreme poverty. She grew up in rural Mississippi, wore potato sacks as dresses, and struggled financially as a young woman. At 23, she was fired from her job as a news anchor. But she didn’t let that stop her—by her 30s, she was hosting The Oprah Winfrey Show, setting the stage for her empire.

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2. Tyler Perry

Before his “Madea” franchise and billion-dollar production empire, Tyler Perry was homeless and living in his car. He spent years struggling to get his plays off the ground, often having to sleep in motels or on the streets. His first few productions flopped, but he kept pushing. By his early 30s, his stage plays were selling out, and his entertainment empire was born.

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3. Steve Harvey

Now a household name, Steve Harvey wasn’t always the king of comedy. Before his breakthrough, he was homeless for three years, sleeping in his car and struggling to make ends meet while chasing his dream of becoming a comedian. He got his big break on Showtime at the Apollo, and by his 30s, he was finally making real money.

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4. Viola Davis

Before becoming an Oscar-winning actress, Viola Davis experienced poverty so severe that she recalled digging through trash for food. Growing up in a financially struggling household, she faced hunger, eviction, and hardship. Even as an aspiring actress in her 20s, she struggled to pay bills. But her resilience and talent led her to stardom.

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5. Robert F. Smith

Now a billionaire investor and philanthropist, Robert F. Smith didn’t grow up with wealth. He studied engineering and finance, working tirelessly in the tech industry before founding Vista Equity Partners at 37. Before that, he had student debt and spent years grinding in corporate America. Now, he’s one of the most successful Black businessmen in the world and famously paid off the student loans of Morehouse College’s graduating class of 2019.

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6. Issa Rae

Before Insecure, Issa Rae was a struggling creative making Awkward Black Girl on YouTube with no budget. She crowdfunded to keep her project going while working odd jobs to stay afloat. Hollywood doors weren’t opening, but she kept pushing, and by her early 30s, she had a hit HBO show and was becoming a major media force.

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7. Taraji P. Henson

Taraji moved to L.A. with her son and only $700 to her name in her late 20s, determined to make it in Hollywood. She worked as a secretary while going on auditions. It wasn’t until her early 30s that she booked Baby Boy, which launched her career.

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8. Kevin Hart

Before becoming one of the highest-paid comedians, Kevin Hart was struggling to make ends meet. In his 20s, he was doing low-paying gigs and getting booed off stage. He was broke and even lived with his mom well into adulthood. But he kept grinding, and by his early 30s, he landed his first big stand-up special, setting him up for superstardom.

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9. Ava DuVernay

Before becoming a trailblazing director, Ava DuVernay worked as a publicist and had no formal film school training. She didn’t even pick up a camera until she was in her early 30s. Before that, she was working multiple jobs to fund her dream. Now, she’s one of the most influential directors in Hollywood.

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10. Shonda Rhimes

Before she became the powerhouse behind Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, Shonda Rhimes was struggling. In her 20s, she was broke, unemployed, and living off student loans. But she kept writing. By her early 30s, she sold her first script, which led to her becoming one of TV’s biggest moguls.

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Moral of the Story?

Being broke before 30 doesn’t mean you’re destined to stay that way. These icons turned struggle into success through grit, faith, and relentless hustle. If you’re going through it right now, remember: your breakthrough might be right around the corner. Keep grinding!