David Blaine Reveals Why Magic Haven’t Made Him Rich: “Wealth Isn’t My Goal”

Over a span of more than 25 years, David Blaine has mesmerized audiences globally with his card manipulations, magical illusions, and tests of stamina.

The illusionist has buried himself alive, caught a bullet with his teeth, and gone without breathing for over 17 minutes. Despite these feats turning him into a recognizable figure in households everywhere, Blaine mentioned recently:
Hollywood Reporter
his profile shows that his career hasn’t proven as financially rewarding as one might think.

Indeed, Blaine
told the magazine
After over 25 years as a professional magician, he admits that he “has yet to learn the business.” He also mentioned that accumulating significant wealth has “never driven or motivated me in any capacity.”

When queried about whether he had become wealthy through magic, he responded frankly. “No,” Blaine stated. “I have no desire for that. It’s not something I aim to achieve.”

The magician — as stated by
Forbes
Orders “mid-six-figure” salaries for personal performances and supposedly raked in $13.5 million in 2018 — he also mentioned that numerous profitable endorsement deals have been proposed to him over the course of his career, yet none were enticing enough for him to agree.

He mentions that he has rejected all advertising campaigns presented to him.

This is partly due to a straightforward guideline he adheres to when handling his career. “No matter what choice I have to make, I ask myself if I would still consider doing it for just one dollar,” he says.
said in 2019
.

“If someone offers me a job or an opportunity and my response is no, I won’t take it regardless of how much they pay,” he went on. “But if the reply is yes, then I’ll go ahead with whatever terms are presented.”

For Blaine, his approach to money has enabled him to pursue the career he desires. He stated back then, “That helps keep my mind sharp.” While admitting it’s not the most lucrative method financially, he noted that “it keeps me concentrated on achieving and doing what I truly want.”

Blaine’s approach mirrors that of the millionaire Mark Cuban, who in 2022 disclosed that his achievements were partly due to him ”
Never, ever considered things from a monetary perspective.
.”

Similar to Blaine, Cuban’s primary incentive doesn’t stem from the amount of money in his bank account. He stated, “My mindset has always revolved around time.” This has consistently driven him: “How can I manage my own fate? How can I dictate how I spend my time?”


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