Toyosi Etim-Effiong 
We live in a world where fame looks like fortune. A million followers mean success. Designer shoes signal wealth. A trending hashtag equals relevance, but peel back the filters and the staged smiles, and you’ll find that fame is not fortune and fortune is definitely not fame.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while.
There are people who can’t walk through airports without being mobbed but can’t pay their kids’ school fees or rent without brands. People who are household names, yet hustling behind the scenes to keep up appearances, and then there are those with quiet bank accounts and loud power. People who can buy the building a celebrity is filming in yet remain unknown to the public.
So let me ask, which should we aspire to? Fame or fortune?
Fame to me, is seductive. It’s fast. It’s addictive. It opens quite a lot of doors and in today’s digital culture, being known often feels like the only currency that matters. People even talk about paying others in “exposure”. Visibility has become a goal, not just a tool. People chase followers, engagement, and virality, hoping it will translate into money and the truth is, sometimes it does, but often, it doesn’t.
Fame without a plan is like a flashy car with no fuel. It’s beautiful, it’s loud, but it’s not going anywhere; and worse, fame comes with pressure. Everybody thinks you “carry”. It demands you perform most times. Look rich. Dress rich. Travel rich. Be rich… whether your account balance agrees or not, and this is why a lot of times, those with fame struggle with identity crisis because who they show to be is not who they really are.
Now, let’s talk about fortune. It’s different. It’s quiet. It’s slow. It’s powerful. Fortune gives you the freedom to choose, to build, to rest, to invest. But here’s the catch: it’s not always visible! People with real wealth can go unnoticed in a crowd, they may not trend online, but they’re changing the game offline and yet, they sometimes find that money can’t buy influence, or honour… or respect. You can have billions and still be locked out of conversations because no one knows your name or your story.
So, I’ll put it like this: Fame opens hearts, Fortune opens gates. Now imagine what happens when you have both.
To those with fame, I’ll say start thinking long-term. Monetise your influence. Partner smartly. Diversify your streams and don’t just be visible, be valuable.
To those with fortune, tell your story. Step into the spotlight with intention. Let your wealth work beyond your wallet. Fame really isn’t always about noise, it’s about the narrative and both fame and fortune can serve purpose only if you’re intentional.
But I’m curious, if you had to choose, which would you go for? Fame or fortune? Would you rather be known by everyone? Or choose the freedom to do what you want with no spotlight?
Actually, I think the bigger question should be “Why do you want what you want?” because sometimes, we’re chasing what we don’t even understand…You know what’s more significant than fame and fortune? Legacy!
Fame fades, fortune can be fleeting, but legacy lasts.
Or what do you think?
Let’s talk about it!