Shocking Facts About World Leaders Throughout History
It might seem like world leaders have achieved an unattainable standard of perfection, but they’re people too. No matter how influential and well-respected a person is, there’s also something interesting going on behind the scenes. Big leaders have their fair share of weird quirks, odd habits, and dirty secrets just like the rest of us. Just because someone’s constantly being watched by the public doesn’t mean they keep everything above board. These facts will definitely add some depth to many of the most famous world leaders from both the past and present.
You might find yourself rethinking your idolization. Not all of the facts are positive!
John Quincy Adams, US President
Back in the 1800s, much of what makes up planet Earth was still a mystery. Today scientists know that the Earth is made up of four layers: the crust, mantle, inner core and outer core. The inner core is proven to be solid and made of the metals iron and nickel. But when John Quincy Adams was president, this information hadn’t been discovered yet.
Adams, among others, believed that the Earth was hollow. He even signed off on an expedition to the Earth’s core and was going to use government money to fund it. Fortunately, the trip never came to fruition and when Andrew Jackson was voted into office, the idea was promptly thrown out.
Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister Of India
Indira Gandhi was pretty controversial. She left behind a legacy of centralization of power. Her critics accused her of weakening the federal structure, taking power away from the judiciary and legislative branches, and nepotism. In the end, she was assassinated by her own bodyguards. Both were Sikh nationalists who claimed to be seeking retribution for Gandhi’s violent actions against their people’s separatist movement.
However, she was also a firm believer in India’s independence and self-sufficiency. According to a biography, at the age of five she attended a large bonfire of British products. Seeing all the foreign items in flames inspired her to throw in her own beloved English-made dolls. Many see this act as the beginning of her steadfast dedication to her country.
Enver Hoxha, Prime Minister of Albania
A couple of years after Albania was liberated from Nazi rule, Enver Hoxha became Prime Minister. He served from 1944 until his death in 1985. During his long rule, the country was completely rebuilt. Hoxha funded the first railway line, increased adult literacy from 10% to 90%, wiped out epidemics, brought electricity to people’s homes, and gave the country agricultural independence. But at the same time, he was a relentless communist dictator.
Hoxha also banned religion, traveling abroad, and private proprietorship. His government didn’t hesitate to imprison, execute, and exile citizens who were resistant or disloyal to his causes. Apparently Hoxha even went so far as to forbid color TV and typewriters. He also forbade beards, saying that they were anti-communist!
George Washington, US President
The first president of the United States wasn’t as handsome as you might think. Though he had a full head of flaming red hair, he was missing quite a few teeth. Eventually, he had to have dentures made. Though legend tells that his fake smile was made of wood, that anecdote is completely false. His dentures were actually made out of hippopotamus ivory, bone, and other animal and human teeth. The set was then stitched together with lead, brass, and gold wire.
So where did the myth of wooden dentures come from? Some historians think that Washington’s love for dark wine stained his fake teeth. This made the ivory and bone look like grainy wood. And once the rumor mill starts churning, it’s hard for them to stop.
Victoria, Queen Of England
During the Victorian era, modesty was very important. Sometimes even piano legs were covered up with cloth because of their vaguely phallic shape! Given this atmosphere, you might assume that the royal family was quite prudish in their approach toward marriage and its delights. But a look inside Queen Victoria’s diaries will instantly prove you wrong.
After her marriage to (cousin) Prince Albert, the queen’s journals started to read more like a medieval version of 50 Shades of Grey. Her descriptive prose and nine children prove that she and her beloved were having quite a good time. Apparently, the couple even had a special button installed next to the mattress that could lock the bedroom door from afar. That way they would never be interrupted.
William Howard Taft, US President
Everyone needs a good way to relax. Some people read books or watch movies, others take long walks or naps, but former president William Howard Taft took long baths. He was so obsessed with tubs that legend has it he once got stuck in one and had to be pulled out by six men! Unfortunately, that story’s been proven false.
However, his affinity for baths is completely true. For his boat trip to Panama, he ordered a 7-ft long tub to be placed aboard the USS North Carolina. Apparently, he couldn’t imagine surviving an ocean voyage without the comfort of a bath. The final product weighed over a ton! But when you’re president, your whims are someone else’s orders.
Catherine The First, Empress of Russia
Royal court etiquette always has a few rules that seem a bit weird. Noblemen have to adapt to the whims of their rulers, and not every monarch is completely sane and fair. There’s a long history of weird court rules. For example, in the palace of Versailles, the king had different choreographed touches of his hat for greeting each rank of visitor. Also, guests weren’t allowed to knock on the door, instead they had to scratch it with a fingernail.
Catherine the First also had some odd rules. She made a decree that at her parties, no man could drink alcohol before 9 PM. The reasoning behind this is up for interpretation. Maybe she was trying to encourage responsible drinking, or perhaps she wanted longer parties.
John Adams, US President
The White House has seen a large variety of presidential pets. Though most men in office brought in a dog or cat, some presidents had more exotic tastes. Sometimes animals were given as presents. Van Buren once received tiger cubs from the Sultan of Oman. Another time a herd of elephants was gifted to Buchanan from the King of Siam (currently Thailand).
But former president John Adams wins the award for the most interestingly named pet of the bunch. One of his dogs was named Satan! Though it might be funny now, back in the 17th century, naming your pet after the devil was probably taken a little more seriously. It’s anyone’s guess if the canine lived up to his title.
Robert Mugabe, President Of Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe was the leader of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017. His long reign was controversial. He’s celebrated by many for liberating Zimbabwe from British colonialism and white minority rule, but simultaneously, others feel that he went too far and descended into economic mismanagement, corruption, and human rights abuses.
Regardless, he was quite fond of all the native animals Zimbabwe had to offer and loved sending them to other leaders as gifts. Unfortunately, many of them died in transit. For his 91st birthday, he threw a dinner full of exotic meats that made every environmental conservationist cringe. His guests were fed elephant, buffalo, sable, and impala. He also received a stuffed lion and crocodile as gifts.
Farouk I, King Of Egypt
King Farouk I was quite an interesting figure. Though he was thought to have amazing leadership potential, he descended into his vices once he was crowned. Farouk I was known to indulge in both food and women and was apparently quite immature. He once released a thief from jail on the condition that they teach him the art of pickpocketing.
The stories about the king just get weirder. At the start of World War II, Farouk I was suffering from a recurring nightmare about being chased by a lion. He sought out Sheik Mustafa El-Maraghi who told him “You will not rest until you have shot a lion.” Unfazed, Farouk I went to the zoo and shot two lions in their cage. The sheik wasn’t impressed. “I spoke in symbols,” he said, “the lion that has been chasing you is Britain.”
Herbert Hoover, US President
Herbert Hoover was inaugurated into office one year before the economic collapse that began The Great Depression. Unfortunately, this event colored his entire presidency and he was voted out after one term and replaced by Roosevelt. But apparently, he was famous to the White House staff for a completely different reason. He and his wife requested to never see the servants at work.
This request quickly turned into a weird game of hide-and-seek. White House servants ran into closets or crouched behind bushes if they saw the president coming around the bend. Though it might sound like Hoover was just a diva, he probably made this request because he was racist. During his presidency, the majority of the staff were people of color.
Bob Hawke, Prime Minister Of Australia
Bob Hawke holds the highest approval rating for an Australian Prime Minister; it reached 75% during his second year in office in 1984. He’s the third-longest-serving Prime Minister in Australian history with a term of eight years. But it wasn’t just his policies that gave him such an edge with the people.
Bob Hawke holds the world record for downing a yard of ale (1.4 liters of beer) in eleven seconds! During his time as a Rhodes Scholar studying at Oxford, he wasn’t afraid to party. Though this achievement isn’t very presidential, it definitely helped his popularity. Australians loved the thought of a president who could pass good policies and also chug a beer. A true man of the people.
Ne Win, President of Burma
Burmese leaders have often relied on astrologers and soothsayers. President Ne Win in particular was well known for being greatly affected by superstitions. Though he founded the Burma Socialist Programme Party, his odd habits are what he’s famous for. An astrologer’s warning that the country was moving too far left spurred his decision to move drivers from the right side of the road to the left. This change happened almost overnight.
In 1987, Ne Win introduced 45 and 90 kyat bank notes. Why? Because the face values added up to nine, his lucky number. It was also said that he bathed in dolphin blood to increase his vitality. He even walked backwards over bridges in order to ward off evil spirits!
Andrew Jackson, US President
Among the more colorful White House pets was Andrew Jackson’s parrot, Poll. This parrot spent most of its life completely unnoticed by the public. But at Jackson’s funeral, the bird put on quite the show. Apparently, someone taught Poll to curse because, during the service, a disruptive monologue resulted in him getting kicked off the premises.
Though no one knows who taught Poll his vulgar vocabulary, animals usually learn their habits from their owners. Perhaps Jackson had long, irate venting sessions with his pet. Regardless, the bird caused quite a shock. People often associate world leaders with poise and restraint. Jackson’s personal pet letting out a long string of curses was probably the biggest disappointment (or highlight) of the funeral.
Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French
Napoleon was well known for his smart military tactics and campaigns. He conquered a significant amount of Europe and introduced several liberal reforms that are still used today. But the French leader wasn’t the greatest at intercultural relations. Or perhaps people don’t appreciate getting conquered, no matter how democratic the government is.
During his campaign against Egypt, he actually considered converting himself and his army to Islam. Whether this change of faith was sincere or just a plot to win over Egyptian citizens is up for debate. Regardless, it didn’t work. The French army wasn’t about to endure a late-in-life circumcision and they loved alcohol too much to give it up.
Lyndon B. Johnson, US President
Lyndon B. Johnson is well known as a hard-headed president who had endless amounts of ambition and a knack for passing policies through Congress. But the courtship of his wife Claudia Alta “Ladybird” Taylor provides an interesting insight into the former president’s personality. The pair met in their early twenties at a mutual friend’s office. Though Johnson had a date later that night, the two agreed to meet for breakfast the next day.
The small meal turned into a day-long affair. Before parting Johnson had already asked Taylor to marry him. She obviously refused, but the next day, Johnson introduced her to his family. After a whirlwind courtship of about two and half months and over 90 letters, the pair were finally married in a small ceremony. Amazingly, their marriage lasted 39 years, until Johnson’s death.
Winston Churchill, Prime Minister Of The United Kingdom
In 1919, the US Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment and installed nationwide prohibition. Interestingly US president Woodrow Wilson vetoed the movement, but the Senate succeeded in overriding his vote. Regardless, the ban on alcohol was a bit shocking. Churchill is famously quoted calling the amendment “an affront to the whole history of mankind.”
Unsurprisingly, the Prohibition era didn’t last very long. Churchill wasn’t the only one who thought the idea was ridiculous. In the US, it soon became clear that shutting down the entire alcohol industry greatly hurt the economy. The government lost tax money, farmers lost agricultural business and the Great Depression demanded quick reform. The amendment was officially repealed in 1933.
Frederick William I, King Of Prussia
In 1713, Frederick William I wanted to strengthen his army. He wanted tall men who stood at least six Prussian feet (1.88 centimeters or 6 feet 2 inches). At that time, there weren’t that many men with that height, the king himself was only 5 feet 3 inches. It wasn’t long before he had to outsource in order to grow his tall-man regiment.
Some neighboring rulers gifted Frederick William I tall soldiers in order to improve foreign relations. The King of Prussia also invaded neighboring countries to take tall recruits by force. He even found taller women to mate with his soldiers in an attempt to create a taller breed of human. The battalion was nicknamed the Potsdam Giants. Ironically they never saw much warfare and after Frederick William I’s death, they were disbanded.
Franklin Pierce, US President
The 14th US president wasn’t so popular. After only one term, his own party refused to renominate him. Legend has it that he was once arrested while in office! Apparently one night after drinking with a friend, he ran over an old lady while driving his carriage home. The police arrested him, but once they realized who he was, they set him free.
The fact that this story doesn’t appear in any newspaper or letter correspondence makes it most likely fictional, but Pierce’s love for alcohol was undeniable. After he lost reelection he’s quoted saying, “There is nothing left to do but get drunk.” And that’s exactly what he did. Later in life he was diagnosed with severe cirrhosis of the liver, an obvious side effect of his alcoholism.
Thomas Jefferson, US President
During his presidency, Thomas Jefferson was one of the recipients of exotic animals. He received a pair of grizzly bears from American explorer Captain Zebulon Pike in 1807. At first, he kept them in a cage on the White House front lawn, but after a while it became clear that the safest place for them was a zoo. The story behind these wild pets is even more interesting.
Captain Pike was out adventuring by the Arkansas river and during his expedition he accidentally crossed over into Spanish territory and was arrested. When he was returned to US territory, he bought the grizzly bears from a local. He wrote to Jefferson that the species of bear was different from the ones found in the east and that the natives considered grizzlies to be the most ferocious animals on the continent.
Nelson Mandela, President Of South Africa
Though Nelson Mandela is known worldwide as an advocate for peace and freedom, he was actually on the United States Terror Watch List until 2008. Though this might seem shocking, a closer look at all the political intricacies of the time help it make sense. His party, the African National Congress, didn’t always use peaceful protest, and while Mandela was in jail, his party’s allies received funds from the Soviet Union.
The ANC partnership with Communist Russia made the US uncomfortable. It was the middle of the Cold War. The US was suspicious of Russian influence in the ANC party and incredibly sensitive to the party’s occasional violence. When Mandela was finally released, he was almost as mythical as he was real. The US required him and his party members to apply for permission to visit until 2008 when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said enough was enough.
Warren G. Harding, US President
Though Harding had a heart attack and never finished his first term, the time he served as president was filled with scandal. Though a leader during the time of Prohibition, he had an extensive collection of bootleg alcohol that he didn’t hesitate to serve to his guests. He even got drunk during a meeting in the Oval Office!
Harding also had a love for gambling and organized bi-weekly games with his “Poker Cabinet”. Attorney General Harry Daugherty and Secretary of War John H. Weeks were frequent guests. During one game he lost a set of White House china that had been around since President Benjamin Harrison’s time in office. And that doesn’t even cover Harding’s numerous mistresses and raunchy love letters.
Anna I, Empress of Russia
Anna I ruled Russia for ten years, from 1730-1740. Many historians refer to her reign as the “dark era”. Interestingly this had little to do with her policies and a lot to do with her personality. She was known to enjoy hunting animals from the palace windows and on several occasions she purposefully humiliated subjects, especially those with disabilities.
But there was one prince she disliked more than most. She forced him to dress up as a clown and marry one of her maids whom she deemed ugly. On their wedding night, she locked them in a palace made of ice jeering that only sex would keep them warm. The couple would’ve died if a sympathetic guard hadn’t snuck them extra clothes.
Dwight Eisenhower, US President
Though many presidents were incredibly fond of pets, Dwight Eisenhower had a very specific animal enemy: squirrels. Eisenhower was an avid lover of golf and had a course built into the South Lawnm but he quickly became annoyed by the local squirrels stealing tees, storing nuts in holes, and wreaking havoc on the green.
He got so tired of it that eventually he ordered his valet, John Moaney, to shoot any squirrels he saw. However, White House officials decided that using firearms on the grounds, especially around tourists, was less than ideal. Instead they set up traps to capture the rodents and relocate them elsewhere. Once the media got wind of what they nicknamed “Operation Squirrel” you can be rest assured the President had to deal with quite a bit of embarrassment.
Alexander the Great, King Of Macedonia
Alexander the Great was king of the Ancient Greek nation of Macedon. By the age of thirty, he was the ruler of one of the largest empires in history. His lands spanned from Greece to northwestern India. Sadly, the great conqueror died at the young age of 32. To this day there are still several theories as to why.
While many historians and medical experts believe that Alexander had fallen ill, some are suspicious that there was foul play. The suspects are numerous. Fingers have been pointed at his wives, several generals, his illegitimate half-brother, and even the royal cupbearer. One popular theory states that Alexander’s general Antipater and his son Cassander were involved. Cassander eventually ordered the murders of Alexander’s widow and son, so it would make sense that he killed off the whole family.
Chester A. Arthur, US President
Chester A. Arthur was never supposed to be president. He was added to James A. Garfield’s ticket as Vice President. But after Garfield was assassinated six months into his first term, Arthur was forced to take up the post. Historians characterize his presidency as mediocre, but he rose to the occasion quite well. Though he was a lackluster politician, he brought some spice to the presidency by redecorating the White House.
About $110,000 (approximately 3 million today) was spent on renovations during his term. There were some practical changes like a new elevator and plumbing system, but Arthur also made some purely aesthetic decisions like hiring interior designer Louis Comfort Tiffany. To pay for it all Arthur sold off dozens of American relics such as articles of Lincoln’s clothing.
Justin II, Roman Emperor
Justin II inherited an over-extended empire. Throughout his reign he did his best to keep the borders from receding, but after the Persians captured the important fortress of Dara in Syria, he completely lost his mind. He started hearing voices in his head and exhibited incredibly strange and violent behavior. Though nowadays psychologists would diagnose him with schizophrenia, back then all they could do was constantly play loud organ music to try and drown out the voices, per his own request.
Apparently he even started biting his attendants and trying to jump out of palace windows. Servants had to place bars over openings so he couldn’t escape. It was even rumored that he ate two men, but more reliable sources claim he just mauled them badly. Thankfully, during a lucid moment he was able to name an heir and initiate a smooth transition of power.
Jimmy Carter, US President
Jimmy Carter gave a lot of interviews during his campaign for president. But by far the most shocking one was published in Playboy magazine. The devout Southern Baptist shocked his more pious supporters by not only agreeing to an interview with the adult magazine but also being quoted as saying, “I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do—and I have done it—and God forgives me for it.”
Needless to say this definitely threw a wrench in the Christian American voting community. Despite all of this drama, it wasn’t enough to completely derail his campaign and Carter was elected into office in 1977.
Mikhail Gorbachev, Leader of the Soviet Union
Did you know that Mikhail Gorbachev was the head honcho of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from ’85 to ’91? He’s a pretty big deal because he helped bring an end to the Cold War and even won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his efforts. But get this, in 2004 Gorbachev won a Grammy! Yep, you read that right.
He won the Best Spoken World Album for Children award for recording a Russian folk tale called Peter and the Wolf. And guess what? He shared the award with former President Bill Clinton and Sophia Loren! Gorbachev donated the fees he received from the project to his environmental project, Green Cross International. Although he didn’t show up at the ceremony, the music industry still gave him props for his contribution to the project.
Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of England
Queen Elizabeth II ruled the United Kingdom from 1952 to 2022. She became the queen when she was only 25 after her dad, King George VI, passed away. Her time on the throne has seen some big social and cultural changes, and she’s played a part in making the monarchy more modern. But on her wedding day in 1947, the Queen had a bit of a fashion emergency!
Her diamond tiara broke! Can you imagine? But don’t worry, the court jeweler was on the case and made the necessary repairs just in time for the ceremony. Nowadays, the story is part of royal wedding legend, and the tiara is still one of the Queen’s most treasured pieces of jewelry.
Charlemagne, Emperor of the Romans
Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was a Frankish ruler who lived from 742 to 814 AD. He was a member of the Carolingian dynasty, which ruled over a large portion of Europe during the Early Middle Ages. Charlemagne was known for his military conquests, religious reforms, and cultural revival, which earned him the title of “Father of Europe.”
Despite his many achievements, Charlemagne had a strict attitude toward marriage. He did not allow his daughters to get married, likely because he believed that political alliances should be formed through arranged marriages rather than love matches. This decision was unusual for the time period, as marriage was seen as a crucial part of a woman’s role in medieval society.
Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Margaret Thatcher was a real trailblazer. She became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979 and quickly gained a reputation for her conservative policies and no-nonsense leadership style. Thatcher spearheaded significant changes in the British economy, such as privatizing many state-owned industries and promoting free-market capitalism.
Surprisingly, Thatcher also made a tasty contribution to the world of food manufacturing Despite her scientific background, Thatcher played a role in creating a new method for making ice cream that had lower production costs and a longer shelf life. This resulted in the creation of soft-serve ice cream, which quickly became a favorite treat across the UK, sold under the brand name Mr. Whippy.
Harry S. Truman, US President
Harry Truman, known as the 33rd President of the United States, held office from 1945 to 1953 following Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was instrumental in ending World War II, including the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. Interestingly, Truman’s middle initial “S” did not stand for any name!
This was because his parents disagreed on what to name him, so they settled on the letter “S” as a nod to both of their family members whose names started with that letter. If you’ve always wondered what his middle name is, we guess the answer is that he doesn’t really have one! It’s a quirky detail that adds to the charm of this beloved President.
Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, was Empress of Russia from 1762 until her death in 1796. She was known for her political savvy, her promotion of education and the arts, and her extensive territorial expansion. Catherine the Great was famous for being generous to her lovers, both during and after their relationships.
Despite their breakups, Catherine bestowed her ex-paramours with extravagant gifts like titles, land, palaces, and even people! In fact, one of her lovers received more than 1,000 indentured servants as a parting gift. This made her famous not only as a skilled politician but also as a passionate lover who didn’t hold back on showing her affection.
Sitting Bull, Lakota Supreme Chief
Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader and holy man who played a significant role in the resistance against the US government’s encroachment on Native American land. He is best known for his role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where he led a coalition of Native American warriors against General George Custer’s cavalry. However, after the battle, Sitting Bull and his followers were forced to flee to Canada.
During a performance in Minnesota, Sitting Bull met Annie Oakley, a renowned sharpshooter. He was so impressed with her skills that he nicknamed her “Little Sure Shot” and unofficially adopted her as his daughter. To commemorate their bond, he gifted her with a pair of moccasins he had worn during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Julius Caeser, Dictator of the Roman Empire
Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. He rose to power through military conquests and became the dictator of Rome in 44 BC. His assassination by a group of Senators marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.
The assassination of Julius Caesar was a complex plot involving over 60 people. The conspirators were well aware of the risk they were taking and took measures to ensure that no individual person would take the blame. By involving so many people in the plot, they were able to create a sense of collective responsibility and avoid being singled out as the instigator of the assassination. This strategy highlights the shrewdness and cunning of the conspirators in their attempt to overthrow Caesar’s rule.
Tsar Nicholas II, Last Emperor of Russia
Tsar Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, ruling from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. In 1891, at the age of 23, he embarked on a grand tour of Asia and Europe that lasted for 18 months. During his visit to Japan in 1891, Tsar Nicholas II developed a fascination for the country’s culture and traditions. As a result, he decided to commemorate his trip to Japan by getting a large dragon tattooed on his right forearm from the renowned Japanese tattoo artist Hori Chyo.
At the time, tattoos were not common in Europe, and the act of getting a tattoo was considered taboo among the Russian aristocracy. However, Tsar Nicholas II was known for his open-mindedness and interest in other cultures, and his decision to get a tattoo demonstrated his appreciation for Japanese art and culture.
King Leopold II, King of the Belgians
King Leopold II was one of the worst rulers in history, he was the ruler of the Congo Free State. Initially, he was allowed rule over the area because they expected him to improve the lives of the natives. But all he cared about was money and profit, things were not well for the people of the land.
The first thing he did as a ruler was execute everybody who didn’t meet the rubber collection quotas. He treated the natives so poorly that other European colonialists condemned him for his actions. Unfortunately, by the time the right people noticed what he was doing, the damage was already done.
Benjamin Harrison, US President
The introduction of electricity was shocking for many. People that had spent their whole lives using fire, gas, and oil lamps to light their homes suddenly had light bulbs. Even though fire isn’t known for being super safe, the sudden change had people quite wary of the dangers of electricity. President Benjamin Harrison was one of those people.
The Edison Company installed electric lights in the White House in 1891, but president Harrison and his wife weren’t too thrilled. Apparently they refused to touch the light switches or any exposed wires for fear of being electrocuted. Servants must’ve followed them around turning switches on and off all day. Sometimes it’s hard to adapt to change.
Nicolae Ceaușescu, President of Romania
Nicolae Ceaușescu was the second and last communist leader of Romania. His rule ended with his trial and execution during the 1989 Romanian Revolution. Though the beginning of his presidency brought in a period of stability and growth, it didn’t take long for his regime to become totalitarian and oppressive. Some even say that at the time, it was the most repressive in the Eastern Bloc.
Unsurprisingly, Ceaușescu was a little paranoid about assassinations. Apparently, he got it into his head that someone might try to poison him through his clothing. His solution was to wear every outfit only once before sending it off to an incinerator. His staff kept a year’s worth of clothes on hand, each item was sealed in plastic and stored in a warehouse.