Beethoven was one of the first pianists to survive without a major aristocratic sponsor, so that was an accomplishment for his day even considering his stature. Not only that he was able to accumulate assets, like shares in a bank, that put him in middle class.

However he did have some unfortunate twists - war caused him to lose a stipend income, promised to him so that he doesn't take up a well paid position for Napoleon's brother. Then of course a period of inactivity due to depression.

For the sonata... are you referring to the Hammerklavier? That was simply a monstrosity of a piece, but it was played in concert only a decade or two later by the virtuoso Liszt.

I agree though, the audience that Beethoven could reach today would well exceed what he could from 1800's Europe, even if most people today prefer pop.