He is the first North American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church
Born in the Russian Empire, Vaslav Nijinsky grew up to become one of history’s greatest ballet dancers. However, he was also a man who ran after women of the night, so much so that it was an irresistible compulsion.
Diarist and lawyer James Boswell ran after women nonstop. Between the ages of 20 and 29, he wrote that he had relationships with about 60 different women, including three married gentlewomen, four actresses, and three mistresses. He also had a fling with Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s mistress.
Belle Époque painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was known for the simplification of outlines, colors, and movement of his paintings. He also had a strong urge to be intimate with "ladies of the night."
However, his unique habit was that he enjoyed writing explicit letters, which he would write to wind down. This was discovered in the diary of Clara Petacci, one of Mussolini’s many mistresses, in 2009.
Imelda lived an extravagant and opulent lifestyle, with a habit of collecting expensive designer shoes. When protesters stormed one of her former residences, the Malacañang Palace, they discovered over 2,700 pairs of designer shoes in her wardrobe (pictured).
The widow of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda held various government posts and wielded great power during his rule from 1966 to 1986.
The world’s leading proponent of behaviorism, B.F. Skinner was an American psychologist who would put his ideas into practice. Operated on a regimented schedule, he used a timer to remind him when to start and stop writing.
Sources: (History Collection) (History)
See more: Celebrity habits: The good, the bad, and the downright weird
Also known as Ibrahim the Mad, the sultan reigned from 1640 to 1648. With a habit of feeding fish in the palace pool with coins instead of food, his strange tendencies worried the people around him.
The urge was so strong that he even lived in brothels. His fixation on these women was reflected in his art and indeed influenced his paintings.
The famed poet and author was known for doing little of her work at home. Finding her home to be a distraction, she would typically write in what she described as "tiny, mean" hotel rooms.
Beethoven did much of his composing while on the move. As he went on walks, he often stopped to jot down a few measures of music in a large sketchbook. He also obsessively counted out 60 beans by hand during breakfast.
According to his secretary, Anton Schindler, Beethoven would also pace around his room and repeatedly pour jugs of water over his hands while humming tunes.
Angelou usually rented the rooms for months at a time, and arrived early in the morning with only her writing materials, a Bible, a bottle of sherry, and a deck of cards.
The famous author had a number of strange habits, including that he would rearrange furniture in hotels and guesthouses to recreate the layout of his home office. He also only slept facing north, believing that it aligned him to the electrical currents of the Earth.
Best known for his theory of evolution and the discoveries on his travels, Darwin was also an adventurous eater. From lizards to giant rats, and even tortoise, he tried it all!
China’s main Marxist theorist, guerrilla fighter, and statesman, Mao led the Chinese Communist Party from 1935 until his passing. Surprisingly, for a man so politically radical, he was a prolific writer and poet.
One of the most notorious villains of the 20th century, Al Qaeda’s founder Osama bin Laden had some surprising habits. It was discovered on his laptop that the terror mastermind liked crocheting.
Darwin's habit of eating everything he came across even led him to accidentally devour a highly sought-after bird, a lesser rhea (pictured).
The ancient Greek statesman Demosthenes was known for his effortless speaking ability, which was the result of a rigorous work regime. He defeated a lisp and shortness of breath by speaking with pebbles in his mouth. He would also shout his speeches aloud while running uphill.
Zhu Houzhao ascended the Ming dynasty’s throne in 1505 when he was 14 years old. Bored with state affairs, the young emperor led an extravagant and depraved lifestyle. As soon as he ascended the throne, he turned governance over to trusted eunuchs, and devoted himself to pleasure-seeking.
Founder of Italy’s Fascist Party, Mussolini was Italy’s prime minister and leader from 1922 to 1943. He also maintained a prolific romantic life up until his death, with up to 14 mistresses.
Christian preacher Jonathan Edwards was known for his meticulous approach to work. Up before sunrise, he spent up to 13 hours a day poring over books and penning his sermons. He would often skip meals to avoid interrupting his studies.
French writer Marcel Proust lived largely from within the confines of his bedroom while writing. He usually didn’t wake up until three or four in the afternoon, and he would usually work from his bed.
Then, when Dalí began to drift away, he would drop the key and wake up. This gave him a chance to record the strange images that had flashed through his mind.
Egyptian King Farouk I lost his throne in 1952 when he was overthrown by a coup. A kleptomaniac, Farouk had the habit of picking people’s pockets. He also was an avid collector of adult entertainment.
The master of surrealism, Dalí used mental tricks to try and blur the line between his dreams and reality. One of his techniques involved holding a metal key over a tin pan while napping.
The French novelist and playwright had a grueling writing schedule. To keep himself alert, Balzac would consume roughly 50 cups of coffee a day. The caffeine would help him wake up at two in the morning, in order to write for 15 hours.
The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria, Edward ascended the throne after the death of his mother. Known for his romantic escapades throughout France, he also owned furniture that facilitated intimacy. The monarch's special chair was kept in his favorite brothel in Paris.
Regarded as one of the world’s finest composers, his taste in comedy wasn't as sophisticated as his taste in music. Mozart was surprisingly really into silly humor involving body functions.
Let's be honest: most people have their fair share of peculiar habits. But then there are some that are truly so strange that people wouldn't ever expect them, especially when it involves certain famous figures in history. From explorers to dictators and composers to royalty, all of these people have at least one thing in common, and that's their very strange habit(s). In fact, they should even be famous for these!
Intrigued? Then click on for the unexpected habits of famous historical figures.
Mozart and other historical figures with some really strange habits
From iron-fisted tyrants to acclaimed figures in the scientific and artistic world
LIFESTYLE Curiosities
Let's be honest: most people have their fair share of peculiar habits. But then there are some that are truly so strange that people wouldn't ever expect them, especially when it involves certain famous figures in history. From explorers to dictators and composers to royalty, all of these people have at least one thing in common, and that's their very strange habit(s). In fact, they should even be famous for these!
Intrigued? Then click on for the unexpected habits of famous historical figures.