“Disaster Girl,” the viral meme star, has earned a massive fortune nearly 19 years after her iconic childhood photo went viral online.
The famous “Disaster Girl” meme is well-known on the internet.
This iconic image features a young girl, Zoë Roth, smiling with a house on fire in the background.
After many years, Zoë has turned this viral photo into a source of income.
The story behind the “Disaster Girl” meme
The photo was taken in January 2005 when Zoë was just four years old.
She and her father, Dave Roth, were watching a controlled burn in Mebane, North Carolina.
The image captures her mischievous smile as flames rise behind her.
This moment became a part of internet culture as it started to be used in memes.
Initially, the photo won a photography prize in 2008.
However, it gained more attention as it became a popular meme used to express mischievousness or humor in various contexts.
“Disaster Girl” earns unbelievable fortune from viral meme photo 19 years later
In 2021, Zoë Roth decided to sell the original photo as a non-fungible token (NFT).
NFTs are digital certificates that represent ownership of a unique item. They can be anything from art to tweets and are sold online.
When Zoë put her meme up for sale, it created a lot of buzz.
She sold the meme for 180 Ethereum, which was worth approximately $473,000 at the time.
This sale was during the peak of the NFT craze, where digital art and other items were selling for high prices.
When Zoë sold the NFT, she made sure to include a clause that allowed her family to keep the copyright.
This means they can earn money from any future sales of the meme.
They receive 10 percent of any future sales, which could lead to more earnings down the line.
Zoë expressed gratitude for the attention her photo received over the years.
She appreciates how the internet has kept the image relevant and popular, even after so many years.
She explained: “People who are in memes and go viral is one thing, but just the way the internet has held on to my picture and kept it viral, kept it relevant, is so crazy to me.
“I’m super grateful for the entire experience,” Roth admitted.
How will the money be used?
The money from the NFT sale has a special purpose for Zoë. She plans to use some of it to pay off her student loans.
Additionally, she intends to donate part of the earnings to charities. This shows her commitment not just to her own finances but also to helping others.
The evolution of the meme
Over the years, the “Disaster Girl” meme has been reedited many times.
Various versions have included different celebrities or events, showcasing the creativity of internet users.
Zoë enjoys seeing how people adapt the meme to fit different situations.
She stated, “I love seeing how creative people are.”
This adaptability of the meme has helped keep it alive in online culture.
It has become a symbol of how quickly something can go viral and remain in the public eye.
