10 Worst Narcissists to Have Ever Lived

10 Worst Narcissists to Have Ever Lived

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at historical figures with narcissistic traits that have had the worst effects on society.

Richard Nixon

He inadvertently gave the public a front-row seat into his psyche. While Nixon put on a front for the public, the tapes he recorded revealed other facets of his character. He had a desire to come out on top through any means possible. This is evidenced by his secretly approving a bombing campaign in Vietnam and invading Cambodia, culminating in the deaths of thousands of civilians. Another characteristic he displayed was keeping loved ones distant, with some friends confirming they didn’t address him by his first name. He also showed signs of paranoia towards the media, especially as the Watergate Scandal progressed. Even after he was caught lying and resigned, he refused to admit any wrongdoing – and focused on his accomplishments instead.

Saddam Hussein

Incessantly seeking authority and a lack of empathy for others are considered core symptoms of grandiose narcissism. While those can be applied to several different autocrats, Saddam Hussein incorporated them into his political career early on. He began his regime by purging the Ba’ath party and executing over twenty men he felt opposed him. That eventually escalated into him killing anyone who dared disagree with him. His need for complete control didn’t end there. Besides initiating the Gulf War and attempting to eradicate the Kurdish population, he’s suspected of being behind the disappearances of hundreds of thousands of his own citizens. His constant abuse of power has led to one of the best examples of overt conceit in a contemporary leader.

Caligula

Excessive selfishness isn’t a contemporary invention. It’s been speculated that countless figures from ancient history could’ve been afflicted with the personality disorder. There’s no better example than Caligula, a Roman emperor whose sense of self was apparently so inflated that he planned to erect a statue of himself as Zeus. According to writings from those close to him, his rule was cruel and often violent – even supposedly forcing multiple people to end their own lives, including one of his closest allies. Some have claimed that he had an affinity for ostentatious spectacles, including fights between horses and humans. While it’s impossible to diagnose him based on what’s been left behind, he serves as proof that these signs have existed in people for millennia.

Benito Mussolini

For some, evidence of self-obsession has been obvious since childhood. Early on, the infamous Italian Prime Minister showcased violent tendencies by injuring his classmates. From there, his poor behavior only escalated. He had an air of confidence that came through in speeches to his populace, making it easy to manipulate them into following him. His innate need for mass dominance led to him attacking several countries and aiding in the creation of fascism, one of the most insidious ideologies to have been popularized. It also resulted in the abuse of his own people via a violent police state – which he also used to permanently silence his detractors. His grandiosity caused a domino effect that society is still dealing with to this day.

Jim Jones

Being a cult figurehead requires a self-imposed superiority that is primarily found in some narcissists. While several fit the bill, one of the most infamous was Jim Jones, the perpetrator behind the Peoples Temple. Convinced he was a God, he led his congregations with intense fervor. While he presented himself as a kind and accepting man, a darker side lurked just beneath the surface. His need for admiration resulted in ridiculous lies - even claims that he had healing powers. When skepticism arose, his true nature revealed itself. Rather than admit his faults, he whisked his remaining followers off to Guyana, using promises of a peaceful afterlife to continue exploiting them. Eventually, he spiraled, ending in the deaths of over 900 people — himself included.

Alexander the Great

For some historical figures, certain aspects of some conditions are more obvious. Some individuals’ whole lives can be summarized as one long battle for power - especially accomplished commanders like Alexander the Great. He displayed other peculiarities from a young age, such as a desire to be more accomplished than his father, and a calculating yet rash attitude. They led him to unprecedented victories on the battlefield, resulting in him leading a vast empire by his 30th birthday. His charisma played into his success as well, making him both a competent king and a cruel conqueror. However, his triumphs only worsened his narcissistic symptoms, and the end of his life was colored with delusions of grandeur — including a supposed belief that he was a deity.

Joseph Stalin

It isn’t often that dictators will be more covert in their ambitions, but the ones that do seem even more threatening. Joseph Stalin was often portrayed as mediocre and insufficient— however, that characterization was anything but correct. He was skilled in the art of deception and manipulated his way into a leadership position within the Bolshevik movement. However, his soft-spoken demeanor couldn’t mask the true monster underneath. His abject cruelty was unrelenting, and him gaining even more sway only exacerbated it. Under his rule, countless people died, with his horrific Gulags alone claiming at least a million lives. He was plagued with paranoia towards the end of his life, resulting in the imprisonment of several doctors - including one whose only crime was suggesting he retire.

Henry VIII

Even those who are born into royalty can be afflicted with excessive self-adulation. Henry VIII used his immense power for his own benefit countless times - including bringing about the separation of the Church of England from the wider Catholic denomination over a simple disagreement. He also ushered in a new theory that claimed that he and other monarchs were appointed by a higher power, meaning they couldn’t be controlled by external forces. That’s only the tip of the iceberg. He also struggled in his romantic relationships, often love-bombing his wives before suddenly cutting them off once the feelings had passed. That’s not even mentioning his extreme reaction to rumors of their alleged adultery - leading to two of them being executed.

Napoleon Bonaparte

It isn’t often that one has an entire ego complex named after them. Napoleon utilized his ambition to quickly rise within the ranks of the French Revolution and became revered due to his victories in battle. However, it wasn’t long before he was clouded with a desire for more. This led to him planning a coup and declaring himself to be the Emperor of the French. He was prone to rage when things didn’t go his way, causing his charming facade to drop. He waged several more wars as a way of maintaining his rule, eventually being exiled twice. His declining reputation led to the coining of a condition known as the Napoleon complex - rewriting his legacy for centuries to come.

Adolf Hitler

He’s the ultimate example of what can go wrong when egotistical qualities and unfettered power combine. Hitler displayed several traits that are consistent with certain personality disorders, including his unrepentant fanaticism about those he hated. This is further evidenced by him positing himself as infallible and causing constant infighting between those who worked for him. By keeping his subordinates in a constant state of distrust, he was able to maintain his unquestioned authority. He also committed several atrocities in the name of total domination, with goals of expanding his reign across the globe. Millions of people died due to him lying about and vilifying them for his own gain, making him one of the most destructive and purely evil leaders in history.

Which narcissist do you think has done the most damage? Let us know in the comments below.