List of Famous Narcissists in History

Are you fascinated by the lives of the rich and famous? Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live in the spotlight? While many celebrities are known for their talent and charisma, some are infamous for their narcissistic tendencies.

From politicians to movie stars, there have been many famous figures throughout history who have exhibited narcissistic behavior.

Narcissism is a personality disorder associated with an exaggerated sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, and a need for admiration.

While many people have some narcissistic traits, those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) take it to the extreme. They often have an exaggerated sense of entitlement, a grandiose sense of self-importance, and a need for constant attention and admiration.

In this article, we will explore some of the most famous narcissists in history and examine their impact on society.

Famous Narcissists in History

Napoleon Bonaparte

You probably know Napoleon Bonaparte as the French military and political leader who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. But did you know he was also a notorious narcissist?

Napoleon was obsessed with his own greatness and often referred to himself in the third person. He even had a special chair made for him that had a higher back than everyone else’s, so he could be seen as more important.

Henry VIII

Henry VIII is perhaps best known for his six marriages and his role in the English Reformation. But he was also a textbook narcissist. He was obsessed with his own power and believed that he was chosen by God to rule England. He was known for his explosive temper and would have anyone executed who dared to challenge his authority.

Saddam Hussein

Iraq was ruled by Saddam Hussein from 1979 until 2003. He was notorious for his brutal regime and his obsession with power.

Saddam believed he was the only one who could save Iraq from its enemies and often referred to himself as the “Lion of Babylon.” He had a cult of personality built around him and was known for his extravagant lifestyle.

Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was the fascist dictator of Italy from 1922 until 1943. He was known for his aggressive rhetoric and his obsession with power.

Mussolini believed that he was the only one who could save Italy from its enemies and often referred to himself as “Il Duce,” which means “The Leader” in Italian. He had a cult of personality built around him and was known for his grandiose speeches and extravagant lifestyle.

Kim Jong-il

Kim Jong-il was the Supreme Leader of North Korea from 1994 until his death in 2011. He was known for his repressive regime and his obsession with power.

Kim Jong-il believed that he was a god-like figure and demanded absolute loyalty from his subjects. He had a cult of personality built around him and was known for his extravagant lifestyle.

Joseph Stalin

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922 until he died in 1953. He was known for his brutal regime and his obsession with power.

Stalin believed that he was the only one who could save the Soviet Union from its enemies and often referred to himself as the “Father of Nations.” He had a cult of personality built around him and was known for his extravagant lifestyle.

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette was the Queen of France from 1774 until 1792. She was known for her extravagant lifestyle and her obsession with fashion.

Marie Antoinette believed that she was above the law and often spent vast sums of money on clothes and jewelry while her subjects were starving. She was eventually executed during the French Revolution.

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon was the President of the United States from 1969 until 1974. He was known for his paranoid personality and his obsession with power. Nixon believed that he was above the law and was involved in the Watergate scandal, which eventually led to his resignation.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin served as Governor of Alaska and was the Republican nominee for Vice President in the 2008 election. She is known for her controversial statements and her obsession with attention. Palin often refers to herself as a “mama grizzly” and has been accused of using her political career for personal gain.

Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton was the President of the United States from 1993 until 2001. He was known for his charm and ability to connect with people, but he was also a notorious womanizer. Clinton had several affairs while in office, including one with Monica Lewinsky, which led to his impeachment. He was accused of using his position of power for personal gain.

Famous Narcissists in Popular Culture

Madonna

Madonna is a well-known pop icon who has been in the limelight for decades. She is known for her diva-like behavior and ability to remain relevant in the entertainment industry. Madonna has been thought of being a narcissist due to her self-centered behavior and her desire for attention. She has also been criticized for her involvement in Kabbalah, a mystical form of Judaism.

Kanye West

Kanye West is a rapper, producer, and fashion designer who is known for his ego and self-importance. He has been labeled as a narcissist due to his grandiose behavior and his tendency to make controversial statements. Kanye has also been open about his struggles with mental health, including his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is a singer-songwriter who has achieved massive success in the music industry. She is known for her pop tunes and her ability to connect with her fans. However, she shows signs of being a narcissist due to her desire for attention and her tendency to write songs about her ex-boyfriends.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is a pop singer who rose to fame at a young age. He is known for his good looks and his catchy pop songs. However, he has also been labeled a narcissist due to his self-centered behavior and his tendency to make headlines for his controversial actions.

Miley Cyrus

In 2012, Miley Cyrus became an international sensation with her role in the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.” She has since shed her wholesome image and embraced a more provocative persona. Miley has been thought of as a narcissist due to her attention-seeking behavior and her tendency to shock audiences with her provocative performances.

Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook, a highly popular social media platform. He appears to be a narcissist due to his desire for power and his tendency to act without considering the consequences.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is a businessman and former president of the United States. He is known for his bombastic personality and his tendency to make controversial statements. Trump appears to be a narcissist due to his grandiose behavior and his belief that he is always right.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is a socialite and reality TV star who rose to fame in the early 2000s. She is known for her extravagant lifestyle and her tendency to be the center of attention. Paris acts like a narcissist due to her self-centered behavior and her desire for attention.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is a singer-songwriter who has achieved massive success in the music industry. She is known for her powerful vocals and her ability to hit high notes. However, she could be considered a narcissist due to her diva-like behavior and her tendency to demand special treatment.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is an actor who has starred in some of the biggest movies of all time. He is known for his intense personality and his dedication to his craft. However, he has also been associated with other narcissists due to his belief in Scientology and his tendency to make headlines for his controversial behavior.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell is a supermodel known for her beauty and her fierce personality. She is thought of being a narcissist due to her diva-like behavior and her tendency to demand special treatment.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk is a billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of companies such as SpaceX and Tesla. He is known for his ambitious goals and his ability to disrupt industries. However, he has also been labeled as a narcissist due to his tendency to make grandiose statements and his belief that he is changing the world.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian is a reality TV star, businesswoman, and social media influencer. She is known for her beauty and her ability to create controversy. Kim is considered a narcissist due to her self-centered behavior and her tendency to seek attention.

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell is a music executive and reality TV judge known for his blunt personality and his ability to discover new talent. He is often considered to have narcissistic personality disorder due to his arrogance and his tendency to put his own interests above those of others.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was a co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc. He is known for his innovative ideas and his ability to revolutionize the technology industry. However, his behavior was similar to a narcissist due to his perfectionism and his tendency to treat people poorly.

What is Narcissism?

Narcissism is a personality disorder that is defined by an excessive focus on oneself, often at the expense of others. It is a personality trait that is often associated with a lack of empathy and an inflated sense of self-importance.

Narcissism is not always a negative trait, as it can be helpful in certain situations, such as in leadership roles. However, it can lead to narcissistic personality disorder when it becomes extreme.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition that is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.

People with NPD often have an exaggerated sense of self-importance and believe they are special or unique. They may also have a sense of entitlement and require constant attention and admiration from others.

Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

The symptoms of NPD can vary, but some common ones include:

• Being overconfident about one’s abilities
• An obsession with unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or love
• The belief that they are special and unique, and that other special or high-status people can understand them
• A need for excessive admiration
• A sense of entitlement
• A tendency to exploit others for their own gain
• An inability to empathize
• A feeling of envy for others or a belief that others are envious of them
• Arrogance or haughtiness

It is important to note that not everyone who exhibits narcissistic traits has NPD. NPD is a diagnosable mental health condition that requires a professional evaluation.

Types of Narcissism

The Grandiose Narcissist

You may have heard the term “grandiose narcissist” before. This type of narcissist is often characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. They may believe they are special or unique and may feel entitled to special treatment or privileges.

Grandiose narcissists often seek positions of power or influence and may be drawn to careers that allow them to be in the spotlight. They may have charming and charismatic personalities and be skilled at manipulating others to get what they want.

The Malignant Narcissist

Malignant narcissists are a particularly dangerous type of narcissist. They may exhibit all of the traits of a grandiose narcissist, but they also have a tendency to be aggressive, vindictive, and cruel. They may have a sense of entitlement that leads them to believe that they can do whatever they want, regardless of the consequences.

Malignant narcissists may also be prone to narcissistic rage, which is an intense, violent outburst that occurs when their sense of superiority is challenged. They may lash out at others verbally or physically, and they may have little regard for the safety or well-being of others.

The Communal Narcissist

The communal narcissist is a less well-known type of narcissist, but they can be just as damaging as other types. Unlike grandiose and malignant narcissists, communal narcissists may appear to be selfless and caring. They may volunteer their time and resources to help others and be highly involved in their communities.

However, communal narcissists are still focused on themselves. They may use their altruistic behavior as a way to gain admiration and praise from others, and they may become angry or resentful if they feel that their efforts are not being recognized or appreciated.

What Narcissism Topics to Read About Next

Now that you have learned about some of the most famous narcissists in history, you may be interested in exploring more about this personality disorder. Here are a few topics you may want to read about next:

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

If you want to know more about the symptoms and characteristics of narcissistic personality disorder, you can find a wealth of information online. Look for articles and resources that describe the diagnostic criteria for this condition, as well as the different types of narcissism.

Narcissistic Supply

Narcissists are often obsessed with getting attention and admiration from others, which is known as a narcissistic supply.

If you want to learn more about this concept, look for articles and resources that explore the different ways that narcissists may seek out attention and praise, as well as the impact that this can have on their relationships.

Codependency and Narcissism

Co-narcissism is a term used to describe the way that some people become enmeshed in the lives of narcissists, often to their own detriment.

If you want to learn more about this concept, look for resources that describe the different ways that people may become involved with narcissists, as well as strategies for setting healthy boundaries and protecting yourself from harm.

Narcissism and Society

Finally, you may want to explore the broader cultural and societal implications of narcissism. Look for articles and resources that explore the ways that narcissism is portrayed in popular culture, as well as the impact that this personality disorder may have on our society as a whole.