for an adult beginning chess, is grandmaster or even any titles in reach in time?

Thanks, Play. I've been wondering. So approximately 1700 GMs and 16,000 Master. That's 16,000/8B= 2e-6= .00002%= 1 in 5,000,000. ???

I am sure there are people who have tried. I have met retired dudes who basically devote their whole lives to chess. And I think Hanging Pawns quit his job to focus on his attempt to become a master... However, without the brain of a child 8-10 hours a day might not be enough...

Most titled players start early. It isn't impossible to become titled if you start late but it will become exponentially difficult as time in hand decreases.

30 or 40 hours a day of intense study might get you to Grandmaster. Don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't do it, it's impossible. Nothing is impossible.

Does anyone have a list of when those 1.5k GMs started chess?

If not a single GM ever became one as an adult, then it does seem there may be a barrier.  This could be further supported by finding out that a large number of adults seriously tried.

So, do we have that data?

Do we know at what age every GM started, and do we know how many adults have seriously tried?

Sure, sure. By same type of thinking, it is harder to become Jokkmokkian than a titled in chess since there live only 3K in Jokkmokk out of 8B people?

And for any adult learner who want to have a "title" for some reason that beside classical Fide titles, you have Arena titles and correspondent/daily titles which might be easier to achieve. 

One reason people are being a little harsh on you is because this subject has been beaten to death in the forums. Best thing for you to do would be do a search and all your answers will be questioned. Good luck to you, we're glad you're here.

Joke: Skill Ceiling = (45–starting age)×100. If you start at 5, your ceiling is 4000. Good luck.

We don't seem to have that data. At best, in similar threads, you can find some GM who started chess in late teen and I think one or two who started in their mid-20's. Which is telling a bit but could also mean that at that time there where less resources for adult beginners in clubs than for kids. 

If you are interested about this topic and also interested in what a journey for an adult beginner in chess looks like, why not write your own blog about it? Perfect as a mix of small tidbits about other chess learners, general strategies for learning (for adults) and your own chess diary with daily task, weekly goals and monthly milestones.

Ah, I'm not trying to become a GM.  My sights are set far lower 🙂

But I am curious as to whether its ever been done.

Has it ever been done?

depends on your age, and how much you play.

Well, the two most recent threads I remember kinda lack anyone who started post-30. Look for yourself if you wish: 

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/any-grandmasters-who-started-late?page=1

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/is-it-possible-for-me-to-become-a-chess-gm-or-im-when-i-start-chess-when-im-15?page=1

So there will be a lot of people pulling standard "as long as there is a will, there is a way" and "age is nothing but a number" but reality is a bit different.

To know for sure we need to know the age when every GM started chess.  I don't think there's a list of this, so unless.someone is going to pu the effort into creating one, we won't know for sure.

With outstanding coaches and 40+ hours a week of working on chess you might be able to get to GM in a decade, give or take.