Yes, a janitor can absolutely be a millionaire, and there are several famous real-world examples that prove this is possible through frugality, time, and the power of compound interest. The most notable case is Ronald Read, a janitor and gas station attendant from Vermont who passed away in 2014 with a secret fortune of $8 million. He achieved this by living far below his means, driving an old car, and consistently investing small amounts into blue-chip stocks for over 50 years. Another inspiring example is Richard Montañez, who started as a janitor at Frito-Lay and eventually became a high-level executive and millionaire after "inventing" Flamin' Hot Cheetos (a story that was even adapted into a film). In 2026, financial experts use these stories to illustrate that "wealth is what you don't see." Being a millionaire is often less about your initial salary and more about your savings rate and your ability to stay invested in the market over several decades. For a janitor earning a modest wage, saving just $500 a month in a diversified index fund starting at age 20 could realistically lead to a million-dollar portfolio by retirement age.