Money talks

“Mata Hari’s knickers… a Dutch exotic dancer of great celebrity who’d had sexual relations with a number of high-up political figures… I’m not saying how much they cost but it was more than £10,000. I’d like to say I’m wearing them now, but they’re kept in a frame behind glass in my home.” Barry Humphries, aka Dame Edna Everage (pictured), on his most expensive purchase, quoted in The Daily Telegraph

“When I got my first tax demand during my Heaven 17 days for £30,000.That’s just bloody absurd, I thought, and literally wept as I signed the cheque.” Glenn Gregory, lead singer of the 1980s pop band Heaven 17, on the moment he first felt wealthy, quoted in The Sunday Times

“I have been paid ridiculous amounts of money for photoshoots. The highest fee I ever earned was for one with OK! Magazine in 2005. It lasted one day.They shot me in eight outfits and paid £100,000.” Pop singer Kerry Katona, in The Mail on Sunday

“I planted seeds, and our lifestyle really inspired those interests, but they always had control of their careers. I was encouraging, you know, but I wasn’t like: ‘You better get this job.’” Nicole Flender, mother of actors Timothée and Pauline Chalamet, quoted in The Guardian

“My version of rebellion would be, like, to become a lawyer or something. My dad would say that sometimes, because I’m good at arguing. But I don’t know how I could ever have an office job. I struggle with that kind of structure or authority in general.” Zoë Kravitz, actor and daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz, quoted in The Guardian