Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian isn't the first socialite to parlay notoriety into a paycheck, but she might have perfected the process. Celebrity gossip revolved around the reality-TV star's love life this year as seemingly everyone followed her whirlwind romance, engagement and wedding to NBA player Kris Humphries. The couple's nuptials were featured in a two-part television special that drew 4.4 million viewers and reportedly netted the couple $18 million in media rights, gifts and donated items. Yet just 72 days later, when Kardashian announced that she was filing for divorce, she faced widespread indignation from many viewers and left others questioning our devotion to celebrity. While we've come to expect tumultuous romances from our favorite stars, we'd prefer to believe their quickie marriages were about impulsive love — not a quick buck.