8 Rags to Riches Housekeeper Tales

One of the more enduring themes in fairy tales, books and movies is the story of the housekeeper who goes from humble means to prosperity. The rag-to-riches tale warms the heart and stirs the imagination among common folk everywhere, so it’s not surprising that the theme is quite universal. We’ve gathered a list of ten examples of poor housekeepers who in one way or another strike it rich:

1. The Biter Bit – This story of a crafty old man and his faithful maid Nina has a rather high body count for a children’s story, but an interesting story. Taken from The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, it tells a story of deception and guile.
2. Maid in Manhattan (2002) – A film about a girl (Jennifer Lopez) who works as a hotel maid, is mistaken for a socialite, and wooed by a senatorial candidate (Ralph Fiennes). It’s also the story of love transcending class and social boundaries.
3. Maid to Order (1987) – This fairy tale-movie is actually a riches-to-rags-to-riches tale. Ally Sheedy plays the daughter of a millionaire who has it too easy. Her dad (Tom Skerritt) out of exasperation wishes he’d never had her. Enter fairy godmother Stella (Beverly D’Angelo) to make it so.
4. Arnold’s Baby Mama – It would appear that Arnold Schwartzenegger couldn’t say hasta la vista to this baby. That’s because it’s his baby, and the baby’s mama is his maid of 20 years, Mildred Baena, who almost certainly has gone from rags to riches judging from the hold she has on Arnold’s cajones.
5. SuccessMaidEasy.com – You had to know that this kind of story would work its way into the lucrative world of e-commerce, right? Well, here it is: your very own rags-to-riches chance of a lifetime, to have your very own house cleaning business. We can’t vouch for the riches part of this tale, so you’re on your own.
6. Ghalia Mahmoud – A real-life rags-to-riches story, this former Egyptian housemaid has rocketed into stardom and fortune, as a celebrity chef. Thanks to the cultural revolution taking place in her native country, Mahmoud is now living the fairy tale dream.
7. The Heiress Maid of Singapore – Christine, former maid of the late Dr. Quek Kai Miew, was left a fortune by her employer. She inherited a luxury apartment and £3 million at the bequest of her former boss. Christine had cared for both Dr. Miew as well as his mother before she had passed.
8. Cinderella (1950) – The animated Disney film adaptation of the timeless classic about a young girl who is made to serve as the housemaid in her own home by her wicked stepmother. She by chance meets Prince Charming at a ball where he is to choose his bride, and the rest is history.

No matter where the story comes from, and whether it is truth or fiction, rags to riches tales make for great stories. They give people hope that if they, too, work hard, they will eventually be successful.

Taken From Housekeeping