22 Celebrated Historical Figures Who Did Terrible Things

September 17, 2024 | Allison Robertson

22 Celebrated Historical Figures Who Did Terrible Things


22 Celebrated Historical Figures Who Did Terrible Things

There are many people throughout history who have been acknowledged for their leadership, accomplishments, or contributions to society.

Unfortunately, not everything they did was “good.” From exploitation and enslavement to unethical animal experiments and human mass killings—these historical figures hid some dark secrets.

christopher%20columbus%20mother%20teresa%20split.jpg

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is celebrated today as a founding father and author of the Declaration of Independence. But not many people realize that his legacy is stained—by his ownerships of slaves.

In fact, he even had a long-term relationship with Sally Hemings—an enslaved woman.

Official Presidential Portrait Of Thomas Jefferson - 1801Rembrandt Peale, Wikimedia Commons

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, but his personal life has been scrutinized after allegations arose about his mistreatment of women—which included his teenage nieces whom he slept with to “test his celibacy.”

Studio photograph of Mahatma Gandhi, London, 1931.Elliott & Fry, Wikimedia Commons

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa has earned the title of Saint for her charitable work with the poor. But she has also been criticized for her strict opposition to contraception and abortion, along with the substandard conditions in her hospices.

Portrait of Mother Teresa - 1995John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill is celebrated for his leadership during WWII—yet his imperialist policies resulted in the deaths of millions during famines in British-ruled India and Bengal.

Winston Churchill Speaking At Banquet - 1946Bettmann Archive, Wikimedia Commons

Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering the Americas. But what many people don’t know is that his expeditions also led to the exploitation, enslavement, and mass killings of Indigenous peoples.

Christopher Columbus on ship - 1878Historical Society of Old Yarmouth, Picryl

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was a pioneering artist of the 20th century. And while many people held him on a pedestal, his personal life was plagued with numerous affairs and the mistreatment of women—including his partners and his muses.

Marie Françoise Gilot is a French painter, best known for her long, stormy relationship with Pablo PicassoFresh On The Net, Flickr

Walt Disney

Walt Disney has been a longtime favorite for his contributions to animations and entertainment that continue to live on years after his passing.

But his antisemitic views and cooperation with the House Un-American Activities Committee during the Red Scare tarnish his legacy.

Publicity photograph for Walt Disney by the studio - 1956Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Henry Ford

Henry Ford is known as the innovator of the assembly line, and founder of Ford Motor Company. But he, too, has antisemitic views—and he published them in his newspaper, The Dearborn Independent. 

Henry Ford, American industrialist, and founder of Ford Motor Company - 1938Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy has been described as charismatic and idealized. But a dark shadow fell over his presidency when he was allegedly involved in numerous extramarital affairs, and became known as a womanizer.

President John F. Kennedy - 1962U.S. Embassy Brasilia, Flickr

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon is renowned for his many accomplishments, namely opening relations with China. But his involvement in the Watergate scandal—and the subsequent cover-up—ultimately led to his resignation, ruining his reputation.

President Richard Nixon sits in his White House - 1972manhhai, Flickr

Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison is often credited with the invention of the light bulb—but not many know about his dark and ruthless business tactics.

Edison apparently electrocuted animals in order to discredit alternating current.

Thomas Edison with early version of phonograph - 1888Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin—known for his theory of evolution—apparently had a darker side, too. His writings often contained racially charged language and prejudiced beliefs of his time.

Image of Charles Darwin.Brandon Keim, Flickr

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson is best known for his role in expanding American territory. However, his methods in doing so were genocidal. Specifically, his involvement in the Trail of Tears—the forced removal of Indigenous families from their land—that led to countless deaths and horrific mistreatment of thousands of Indigenous peoples.

US President  Andrew Jackson - 1845Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

Sigmund Freud

Freud is known as the Father of Psychoanalysis. His theories though, have been criticized for their misogyny and lack of evidence—especially his views on women and sexuality.

Portrait of a seated Sigmund Freud - Circa 1921Max Halberstadt, Wikimedia Commons

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is known for being the co-founder of Apple Inc. But apparently his authoritarian leadership style has not been well received. As well, he is notorious for his exploitation of labor in overseas factories.

Steve Jobs poses for a portrait at the company headquarters - 1996Bob Riha Jr , Getty Images

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell goes down in history as the inventor of the telephone—but few know the dark side to his character.

Bell advocated for eugenics—the practice of improving the human species by selectively mating people with specifically desirable hereditary traits. And he also made efforts to suppress sign language among deaf people.

Portrait Alexander Graham Bell  -  between 1905 and 1945Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons

Henry Kissinger

Henry Kissinger won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the Vietnam War, but few know of his involvement in controversial foreign policies—like the bombing of Cambodia.

Henry A. Kissinger at a National Security Council Meeting - 1975National Archives and Records Administration, Wikimedia Commons

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, whom many consider the smartest man in the world, is renowned for his theory of relativity. Sadly, his dark personal life has come to light, tarnishing his legacy.

Einstein apparently mistreated his first wife, Mileva Maric, and terribly neglected his family.

Albert Einstein and his first wife, Mileva - 1912Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan is recognized as the founder of the Mongol Empire—but sadly, his military conquests led to the deaths of millions, along with the destruction of countless cities. His legacy has taken a dark turn.

Genghis KhanNational Palace Museum, Wikimedia Commons

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte is known as a “military genius and reformer.” But unfortunately, his quest for power caused the deaths of thousands of soldiers and civilians.

Painting of Napoleon I of France - 1805Andrea Appiani, Wikimedia Commons

Alberto Fujimori

Alberto Fujimori, former President of Peru, is credited with defeating the Shining Path insurgency. However, his authoritarian regime involved various human rights issues, corruption, and electoral fraud.

Alberto Fujimori, President Of Peru - 1991European Union, 2024, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

J. Edgar Hoover

For nearly five decades, J. Edgar Hoover was the director of the FBI, where he unfortunately abused his power. With the use of illegal surveillance, Hoover is responsible for countless acts of harassment and blackmail.

J. Edgar Hoover, Half-Length Portrait - 1924National Photo Company Collection, Wikimedia Commons


More from Factinate

Featured Article

My mom never told me how her best friend died. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery.

Dark Family Secrets

Dark Family Secrets Exposed

Nothing stays hidden forever—and these dark family secrets are proof that when the truth comes out, it can range from devastating to utterly chilling.
April 8, 2020 Samantha Henman

Featured Article

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.

Madame de Pompadour Facts

Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.
December 7, 2018 Kyle Climans

More from Factinate

Featured Article

I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life.

These People Got Genius Revenges

When someone really pushes our buttons, we'd like to think that we'd hold our head high and turn the other cheek, but revenge is so, so sweet.
April 22, 2020 Scott Mazza

Featured Article

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but few people know her even darker history.

Catherine of Aragon Facts

Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s First Wife

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but very few people know her even darker history.
June 7, 2018 Christine Tran



Dear reader,


Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? We’re always looking for your input! Please reach out to us to let us know what you’re interested in reading. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from “Life” to “Compact Cars and Trucks” to “A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius.” We’ll get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics you’re interested in. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your time!


Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? At Factinate, we’re dedicated to getting things right. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. We want our readers to trust us. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Please let us know if a fact we’ve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect it’s inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,



The Factinate team




Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.