ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

From Being a Shelter Cat to a Social Media Celeb, the Extraordinary Journey of Nala

Nala's popularity skyrocketed, leading to the creation of a cat food brand, a line of merchandise, and a staggering net worth for her owner.
PUBLISHED JAN 18, 2024
Cover Image Source: Nala Cat | Instagram
Cover Image Source: Nala Cat | Instagram

Meet Nala, the extraordinary cat who has become a global sensation, with over 4.4 million followers on Instagram and a jaw-dropping net worth of $100 million. Her journey began when Pookie, also known as Varisiri Mathachittiphan, rescued her from a shelter in Los Angeles. Pookie instantly fell in love with Nala's charm, and their adventures together became a hit on Instagram starting in 2012.

Image Source: Nala Cat Instagram
Nala posing for a photo | Instagram

In a recent interview on This Morning, Pookie shared the story of Nala's internet fame. She revealed that Nala was one of the pioneers in the online cat world, presenting herself as if she were speaking directly to her followers. This unique approach gave Nala a distinctive personality, and people loved it. The result? Nala's popularity skyrocketed, leading to the creation of a cat food brand, a line of merchandise, and a staggering net worth for Pookie.

Nala has not only won the hearts of millions but also set a Guinness World Record for having the most followers for a cat on Instagram. Not stopping there, she even clinched the title of TikToker of the Year, outshining four human competitors. Pookie now dedicates her full time to managing Nala's social media accounts, contributing to the continuous growth of their online community.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nala Cat ™ (@nala_cat)


 

Reflecting on Nala's unique brand identity and her incredible net worth, Pookie expressed her disbelief, highlighting her gratitude for the unexpected journey. It's a tale of humble beginnings turning into something beyond imagination, including Pookie meeting her life partner through Nala's Instagram account. Their love story began when Pookie ordered cat bow ties from Shannon, who was crafting and selling them on Etsy after adopting her nieces.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of fame, Nala's Instagram account serves a noble purpose. Pookie uses the platform to raise awareness for animal welfare and collect donations for animal charities. Nala's own story of being rescued from a shelter inspired Pookie to make helping other animals a primary goal from day one. In collaboration with various companies, they incorporate requests for donations to support shelters, emphasizing the importance of giving back.

Image Source: Nala Cat Instagram
Nala posing with a product | Instagram

Nala's journey from a rescue shelter to social media stardom is not just a tale of fame and fortune but also one of love, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of other animals. It's a heartwarming story that reminds us of the incredible things that can happen when we open our hearts to the well-being of our furry friends.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
About 1.5 million subscribers were affected by the seven-hour-long outage.
2 days ago
The country in Trump's crosshairs accounts for roughly 4% of the global oil production.
2 days ago
Harvey made the joke at the risk of landing in trouble at home.
2 days ago
Harvey simply said "My Man!" as soon as he heard the player's response.
2 days ago
As president Trump pushes for measures to acquire the island, new poll shows Americans aren't sure.
3 days ago
Trump said starting Feb. 1, his administration will block funds, but he didn't provide specifics.
3 days ago
Harvey did not like the opinion about men that he heard from Maria.
3 days ago
Harvey didn't hold back and even went on to name some of the top celebrities.
3 days ago
Senior editor Charles C.W. Cooke said the cap could destroy the GOP's chances in the midterms
4 days ago
The proposed bill aims to tackle healthcare costs, and cut the federal deficit by $1 trillion.
4 days ago
As ACA benefits expire, the president claimed his framework would reduce drug prices dramatically.
4 days ago
Harvey could not believe that the contestant could say that with her family around.
4 days ago
The family aced three Fast Money rounds in a row to cash out big
4 days ago
The donors poured in millions to support the Trump affiliated super PAC MAGA Inc.
5 days ago
These reports come at a time when consumer sentiment seems to be improving.
5 days ago
The lawmakers called the probe 'coercive' demanding a congressional investigation into the DOJ.
5 days ago
The player bizarrely named "Jeopardy!" in a totally unrelated question.
5 days ago
Seacrest expressed that the player had no way of solving the puzzle with the clues on the board.
Jan 10, 2026
Harvey had to shut every contestant up who thought it was a good answer.
Jan 10, 2026