10 Rare Facts about World Presidents
World presidents are often seen as powerful political figures, but behind the titles and official speeches lie fascinating and lesser-known stories.
From presidents who survived countless assassination attempts to leaders who rose from prison cells or film studios to the highest offices, the history of world presidents is filled with surprising facts that rarely make it into textbooks.
In this blog, we uncover 10 rare and interesting facts about world presidents from different countries, highlighting their unique backgrounds, extraordinary journeys, and unbelievable achievements.
Whether you are a student of political science, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about global leadership, this article offers eye-opening insights into famous presidents, their personal lives, and their unexpected paths to power.
By exploring these little-known facts about presidents around the world, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of global politics, leadership, and the human stories behind some of the most influential leaders in history.
US Presidents
1-James Garfield
was ambidextrous and multilingual. He could simultaneously write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other—while entertaining guests.
2-Abraham Lincoln
was a champion wrestler in his youth, with only one recorded loss in about 300 matches. In 1992, he was posthumously inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an “Outstanding American.
3-John Quincy Adams
swam naked in the Potomac River every morning. A clever female reporter once sat on his clothes until he agreed to an interview.
4-Andrew Jackson’s
pet parrot had to be removed from his funeral because it wouldn’t stop swearing (allegedly taught by Jackson himself).
5-Theodore Roosevelt
kept an astonishing menagerie of pets in the White House, including a badger, a hyena, and a one-legged rooster.
He also boxed regularly but lost sight in one eye from a White House sparring match.
6-Lyndon B. Johnson
owned an amphibious car and loved pranking guests by driving it into lakes while yelling that the brakes had failed.
He also had a special button in the Oval Office to summon Fresca soda on demand.
7-Gerald Ford
worked as a fashion model in his younger days (appearing on a Cosmopolitan cover) and was such a talented footballer that he turned down NFL offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
8-Three presidents
have won Grammy Awards for spoken word albums: Jimmy Carter (three wins), Bill Clinton (two), and Barack Obama (two).
9-John Tyler
(10th president, served 1841–1845) has two living grandsons as of recent years, thanks to having children late in life.
10-Chester A. Arthur
often one of the most forgotten presidents, owned over 80 pairs of pants and was renowned for his impeccable fashion sense.