20 Historical Figures Who Were Heroes—Until the Truth Came Out
These 20 celebrated individuals were once hailed as heroes, but deeper scrutiny revealed darker truths that complicate their legacies.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
History often lionizes figures for their achievements, but a closer examination can unearth unsettling aspects of their actions and beliefs. This list delves into 20 individuals whose reputations have been reevaluated in light of new evidence or shifting societal values. Understanding these complexities offers a more nuanced view of history and its influencers.
1. King Leopold II
Alexander Bassano on Wikimedia Commons
Once celebrated for bringing civilization to Africa, King Leopold II’s rule over the Congo Free State led to the deaths of millions due to forced labor and brutal exploitation. His legacy is now a symbol of colonial atrocities.
2. Thomas Jefferson
Rembrandt Peale on Wikimedia Commons
Jefferson wrote about liberty and human rights while enslaving hundreds. His long-term relationship with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman, complicates his legacy.
3. Mother Teresa
Túrelio on Wikimedia Commons
Admired for her care of the poor, Mother Teresa won a Nobel Peace Prize. However, critics say her clinics lacked real medical care and glorified suffering.
4. Winston Churchill
Yousuf Karsh on Wikimedia Commons
Churchill stood firm against Nazi Germany and helped lead the Allies to victory. However, his policies during famines and his views on empire revealed a darker side.
5. Nelson Mandela
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel on Wikimedia Commons
Mandela became a global icon for peace and forgiveness. However, his early days included ties to armed resistance and controversial political choices.
6. Martin Luther King Jr.
Marion S. Trikosko on Wikimedia Commons
He inspired a movement through words and nonviolence. However, FBI files allege infidelity and troubling personal conduct that sparked debate.
7. John F. Kennedy
Cecil Stoughton, White House on Wikimedia Commons
JFK captured hearts with charm and vision. Behind the scenes, he led a reckless personal life and used questionable tactics in foreign policy.
8. Helen Keller
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
Keller overcame unimaginable barriers and became a symbol of hope. Fewer know she supported socialism and eugenics, views that divided public opinion.
9. Christopher Columbus
rmf24.pl on Wikimedia Commons
Columbus was long celebrated for “discovering” the Americas. Today, many view his legacy as one of violence, slavery, and exploitation.
10. Bill Cosby
NBC Television on Wikimedia Commons
Once a beloved TV figure and moral role model, Cosby shaped comedy and culture. His later conviction for sexual assault shattered his legacy.
11. Cecil Rhodes
Pablo Neruda on Wikimedia Commons
Rhodes funded scholarships and shaped British education. He also expanded British rule through violent colonization and racist policies in Africa.
12. Pablo Neruda
Unknown (Mondadori Publishers) on Wikimedia Commons
Neruda’s words captivated hearts worldwide. However, his own memoir included a troubling admission of sexual assault.
13. Edward Colston
Jonathan Richardson on Wikimedia Commons
Colston donated to schools and hospitals across England. However, his fortune came from the transatlantic slave trade, sparking modern outrage.
14. Charles Lindbergh
Harris & Ewing on Wikimedia Commons
Lindbergh was hailed as an American legend after his transatlantic flight. However, he later praised Hitler’s regime and pushed isolationist ideas.
15. John Wayne
EatPay3 on Wikimedia Commons
He stood for traditional American values on screen. Off-screen, he gave interviews defending white supremacy and opposing civil rights.
16. Margaret Sanger
Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia Commons
Sanger helped launch the birth control movement. However, her association with eugenics has raised uncomfortable questions about her intentions.
17. Che Guevara
Alberto Korda, restored by Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia Commons
Guevara became a symbol of rebellion and resistance. However, his role in carrying out executions in Cuba stains his revolutionary image.
18. Ronald Reagan
Michael Evans on Wikimedia Commons
Reagan helped bring the Cold War to a close. However, his silence during the AIDS epidemic and his economic policies left many behind.
19. Mahatma Gandhi
Elliott & Fry on Wikimedia Commons
Gandhi championed nonviolence and independence in India. However, his early writings included disparaging remarks about Black South Africans.
20. Andrew Jackson
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
Jackson appealed to the working class and redefined American politics. He also enforced the Indian Removal Act, which led to the Trail of Tears.