History's Famous Redheads

Did you know that only 2% of people have red hair, making red the rarest natural hair-color? 

Other than their stunning stand-out hue, redheads are believed to be passionate individuals with a fiery temperament, unafraid to express their opinions and always ready to take charge.

Here’s 25 famous, unstoppable redheads who lived up to their reputation.

Cleopatra (69-30 BC)

Apparently, the black bob we usually associate with this female pharaoh of Ancient Egypt may just be inaccurate. It is said that Cleopatra used henna—a plant extract—to bring out the redness in her hair.

She was the last pharaoh, and she adopted the image of the Egyptian goddess, Isis. She took her own life to avoid execution after the defeat of her Roman ally and lover, Mark Antony.

Ángel M. Felicísimo, Wikimedia Commons

Judas Iscariot (unknown - about 36 AD)

Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. His name has been associated with betrayal ever since he gave up Jesus to the Romans in exchange for 30 pieces of silver.

Judas is depicted with red hair in many medieval paintings—though this may be to distinguish him from other disciples.

José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior, Wikimedia Commons

Boadicea (unknown - 61 AD)

Queen Boadicea, the ruler of the British Iceni tribe, is described by Roman sources as a redhead. When the Romans seized control of her province, she led a revolt, destroying many Roman cities before she was defeated.

Bleiberg Entertainment, Boudica (2023)

Richard Lionheart (1157-1199)

In medieval England, Richard I was hailed a hero for his efforts during the Crusades. His rivalry with Saladin was legendary, and his warrior spirit earned him the epithet, Lionheart.

The Itinerarium Regis Ricardi, a contemporary account of the Third Crusade, described Richard's hair as being reddish gold.

Merry-Joseph Blondel, Wikimedia Commons

Genghis Khan (1162-1227)

Genghis Khan—also known as Temujin—founded the Mongolian Empire, which stretched from the Pacific Ocean to Eastern Europe. His military campaign ultimately led to the slaying of over 40 million people.

In several historical documents, Khan is described as having red hair and green eyes.

National Palace Museum, Wikimedia Commons

Alexander II (1198-1249)

Alexander II was King of Alba (Scotland) from 1214 until his death. He concluded the Treaty of York, which defined the boundary between England and Scotland, and remains virtually unchanged today.

Various paintings of Alexander II portray him with classic Scottish red hair.

Jacob de Wet II, Wikimedia Commons

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506)

Italian explorer Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering the American continents for the European powers—thus beginning an era of forcible colonization.

Many artworks show Columbus as having auburn hair.

Sebastiano del Piombo, Wikimedia Commons

Henry VIII (1491-1547)

Henry VIII is one of the best-known Kings of England and is famous for his multiple marriages. He invaded France twice with moderate success, and formed the Church of England just so he could divorce his first wife.

Henry, like many of the Tudor royals, was a redhead.

Hans Holbein the Younger, Wikimedia Commons

Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536)

Catherine of Aragon was Queen of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII. Before her marriage to Henry, she was the first known female ambassador in European history. She later played an important role in the Battle of Flodden, when the English defeated a Scottish Invasion while serving as regent for her husband, who was in France at the time.

Catherine was known to be short with big blue eyes and long, luscious red hair.

All3 Media, The Spanish Princess (2019– 2020)

Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

Henry VIII passed his ginger genes on to his daughter, Elizabeth I. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, was one of the wives Henry executed. After ruling for 45 years, Elizabeth was the last Tudor monarch, which fueled widespread claims about her virginity.

She ruled during the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the prime of William Shakespeare.

Johannes Corvus, Wikimedia Commons

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

Italian astronomer Galileo was one of the most famous physicists of all time. His long list of achievements include: discovering four of Jupiter's moons, confirming the phases of Venus, improving telescope design, and advancing kinematics.

However, his support of the Copernican view that the Earth orbits the Sun landed him in hot water with the Christian Inquisition and he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life under house arrest—red hair and all.

Justus Sustermans, Wikimedia Commons

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

Oliver Cromwell was another famous British leader with red hair. He rose to political power and became the frontman for the British revolution that overthrew King Charles I.

After Charles's execution, Cromwell became the leader of the short-lived Commonwealth. And while some consider him a hero, his persecution of the Irish and Scottish was borderline genocidal.

Columbia, Cromwell (1970)

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi was a skilled violinist and Catholic priest who earned the nickname “The Red Priest” for his luscious red locks.

His most famous work was called The Four Seasons, and he wrote over forty operas—most of which were composed while working at an orphanage.

Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

George Washington (1732-1799)

George Washington, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the nation’s first President, was most definitely a redhead. In fact, it is said he often powdered his hair white to match the contemporary fashion at the time and to avoid wearing wigs.

Prior to his presidency, Washington led the Continental Army to victory against the British during the American Revolutionary War.

John Trumbull, Wikimedia Commons

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Another Founding Father, and the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which finally cut all ties with Britain. He was a skilled writer and philosopher, and had red hair that he, too, powdered white and often covered with wigs.

Charles Willson Peale, Wikimedia Commons

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)

Andrew Jackson served as the seventh President of the United States. Often praised as an advocate for ordinary Americans and for his work in preserving the union of states, Jackson has also been criticized for his racial policies—particularly his treatment of Native Americans.

Jackson also powdered his red hair white and wore wigs.

Ralph Eleaser, Wikimedia Commons

Martin Van Buren (1782-1862)

As we make our way down the list, we come to yet another American President who at one time had a full head of red hair.

Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States, and a primary founder of the Democratic Party.

Francis Alexander, Wikimedia Commons

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

American poet, Emily Dickinson wrote nearly two thousand poems. The ones that were published during her life were heavily edited by publishers. However, in 1955, long after her death, her complete unedited collection was published, making her one of the most important American poets of all time.

Dickinson boasted beautiful natural red hair for most of her childhood.

Harvard Art Museums, Wikimedia Commons

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

American humorist and writer Mark Twain was said to be a “master of wit and satire,” and is hailed as the father of American literature.

He was born as Samuel Langhorne Clemens but went by the name Mark Twain, a pun based on his time working as a riverboat pilot (when measuring a depth of two fathoms, pilots would call out "mark twain!"). 

In addition to being a famous redhead, Twain is also said to be the most quoted writer of all time and is famous for his two greatest works, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Abdullah frères, Wikimedia Commons

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh’s work gained great notoriety when influence during the 20th century. He painted landscapes, sunflowers, orchards, cypresses, and wheat-fields with bold color in the post-impressionist style.

His own self-portraits clearly showcase his vibrant ginger hair.

MGM, Lust for Life (1956)

Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)

Vladmir Lenin is famous for leading the Marxist Bolsheviks to victory in the 1917 Russian revolution.

Although his hair started falling out before he reached the young age of 20, many authors claim it was red.

Dataresearch, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Winston Churchill is regarded as “one of the greatest Britons who ever lived” for his profound speeches and inspirational leadership during difficult times.

He was the Prime Minister of Britain during WWII, and his wartime policies helped to defeat Nazi Germany.

As a child, he attended the Harrow school, where his red hair earned him the nickname, “copper knob.”

William Orpen, Wikimedia Commons

Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)

Calvin Coolidge was another red headed American President. He served as the 30th President of the United States from 1923-1929 after the sudden death of his predecessor, Warren G. Harding.

Coolidge is best known for signing into the law the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans, and overseeing a period of rapid economic growth known as the “Roaring Twenties.”

oneredsf1, Flickr

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962)

American icon, Marilyn Monroe was an actress, singer and model. She took the 20th century by storm with her stunning good looks, and while we mostly know her as a beautiful blond, Monroe was actually born with curly red hair. 

It wasn't until the 40s when she started dying her hair blond at her publicists request. And while it did boost her success, Monroe preferred her red hair.  

She realized early on the effect it had on men: “I had this long walk to school, it was just sheer pleasure,” she told Life of her high school years. “Every fellow honked his horn and the world became friendly”. 

David Conover, Wikimedia Commons

Prince Harry (1984- )

While not yet a historical figure, Prince Harry is said to be the most famous redhead in the world today. He is the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, and son of Prince Charles. He’s fourth in line for the British throne and has served with the British army in the Afghan War.

His ginger hair matches his reputation as a care-free, rebellious young man.

DoD News, Flickr