Unusual Hobbies and Obsessions of Historical Figures: From Marie Antoinette’s Sheep to Kim Jong-il’s Movies

Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, had an unusual hobby that set her apart from other royals. Despite her luxurious lifestyle and grandiose gowns, Marie Antoinette had a deep love for animals, especially sheep. She would often dress up her pet sheep in elaborate outfits, complete with tiny hats, necklaces, and bonnets, and take them for long walks in the palace gardens. Marie’s fascination with sheep was not just a passing fancy; she became an avid breeder and was well-known for her award-winning flock of Merino sheep.

Marie’s sheep fetish might seem eccentric, but it’s not uncommon for historical figures to have peculiar habits. Kim Jong-il, the late leader of North Korea, was also notorious for his unusual interests. Known as the “Great Leader,” Kim had an extensive collection of over 20,000 films, including classic Hollywood movies like “Casablanca” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Jong-il’s love for cinema went beyond watching movies; he often wrote screenplays and even composed music scores for his favorite films. In fact, he was so devoted to the arts that he allegedly kidnapped a South Korean filmmaker and his wife to force them into making movies for him.

Vlad the Impaler, the infamous medieval ruler of Wallachia, provides another bizarre historical fact. Vlad’s cruel and unspeakably violent methods earned him the moniker “Dracula.” The legend of Dracula, initially popularized by Irish author Bram Stoker, is based on Vlad’s legendary methods of punishment. He not only impaled his enemies but also displayed their bodies on stakes as a warning to others. “The impaling was cruel, sir, cruel,” Vlad once remarked.

Ibrahim, the first Ottoman Sultan, was a man with some unusual interests as well. One fateful day, while Ibrahim was out grazing, he came across a female cow whose genitalia caught his attention. Intrigued and impressed, Ibrahim had a golden cast made of the cow’s private parts. He then ordered his aides to find the fattest woman in the world to match the cow’s size. The search was long and arduous, but finally, an Armenian peasant woman weighing over 300 pounds was found. Ibrahim renamed her “Sugar Cube” and made her his official concubine.

These peculiar historical facts might seem amusing or outrageous, but they shed light on the personalities and habits of some of history’s most influential leaders. Whether it’s Marie Antoinette’s love for sheep, Kim Jong-il’s obsession with movies, Vlad the Impaler’s brutal execution methods or Ibrahim’s unusual takes on romance, history is full of bizarre and intriguing facts that offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. The complex web of human nature continues to captivate and astonish us, encouraging us to explore history’s underrated and fascinating anecdotes.

In conclusion, history is full of hidden gems and bizarre facts that can provide an interesting insight into the lives of historical figures. From Marie Antoinette’s fluffy sheep to Kim Jong-il’s amazing film collection, these unlikely historical facts reveal the unique and fascinating facets of the human experience. However, it is crucial to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of these lesser-known facts. Nevertheless, these exhilarating historical facts give history an added dose of intrigue, wonder, and excitement, inviting us to delve further into the mysteries of the past.

Scroll to Top