King Charles IX of France, known for his cruelty towards animals, had a particularly disturbing hobby. It was reported that he enjoyed throwing cats out of windows for fun. The story goes that Charles IX would lure cats to his chambers, only to abruptly toss them outside, watching as they fell and landed with a sickening thud. His subjects, horrified by his actions, pleaded with him to stop this cruel behavior, but Charles IX was unmoved. He continued his sadistic games until his death in 1574, leaving a dark stain on his legacy.
Saddam Hussein, the infamous dictator of Iraq, had an unexpected passion. Contrary to his reputation as a ruthless tyrant, Hussein was a big fan of American pop icon Whitney Houston. It has been reported that he had an extensive collection of her albums and would often listen to her music late into the night. In fact, he was such a enthusiast that he commissioned a bronze statue of the singer to be placed in one of his palaces. It is said that the statue still stands today, a testament to Hussein’s quirky tastes.
Adolf Hitler, the infamous Nazi leader, had a peculiar health condition and a major sweet tooth. Despite being a strict vegetarian, Hitler would often launch into rants about the dangers of smoking and drinking. However, he had a soft spot for sweets, especially chocolate and cakes. His aide, Heinrich Hoffmann, once remarked that Hitler “almost foams at the mouth in his pleasure” when presented with a particularly indulgent confection. Hitler’s love of food led to a number of health problems, including chronic flatulence, which significantly disrupted his daily routine.
King Mansa Musa of Mali, one of the wealthiest rulers in history, was also a generous soul. During his pilgrimage to Mecca in the 14th century, Musa reportedly gave away so much gold that it caused inflation in the cities he passed through. It is estimated that Musa spent approximately 60 tons of gold during his journey, the equivalent of $4 billion in today’s currency. His generosity was legendary, earning him the nickname “the King of Gold” and cementing his place in history as one of the richest men to ever live.
Empress Wu Zetian, the first and only woman to ever rule China, had a unique method of choosing her Lords. The Empress, who ruled from 690 to 705 CE, had a large harem of young boys, whom she kept for the express purpose of selecting her Lords. It was her belief that a Lord should be innocent, pure, and uncorrupted, qualities that she believed were most readily found in young boys. During her reign, Wu Zetian slept with over 1,000 men, and her favorite was a monk who reportedly had “heavenly endowments.” The Empress’s preference for young boys was a source of scandal and controversy during her reign, but it did not stop her from becoming one of the most powerful women in history.
