The 20 Biggest Firings In All Of History
History is full of people who spectacularly got the boot. Some firings were about politics, others about power, and a few were just plain ridiculous. Boomers might remember losing jobs for silly reasons, but history always cranked that drama way, way up to eleven. From kings and powerful generals to CEOs and famous entertainers, getting fired has always been the ultimate humiliation with a surprising side of comedy. Sure, some of these firings shaped entire nations, while others only reshaped fragile egos. Either way, they all remind us that no matter how high you climb, someone will eventually say, “You’re fired.”
J.K. Rowling (1997)
Rejected by multiple publishers before finally creating the Harry Potter phenomenon.
Michael Jordan (1993)
“Fired” by himself from basketball with his famous retirement, only to return stronger than ever.
Pablo Picasso (1895)
Rejected by art schools and galleries during his early career before revolutionizing modern art.
Queen Elizabeth I’s suitors (1500s)
Many were ‘fired’ by royal rejection, yet played big political roles in the 16th century.
Serena Williams (1995)
Faced setbacks and coach firings during her early tennis career, but rose to become a sports legend.
Albert Einstein (1909)
Dismissed from early academic jobs, but later revolutionized physics forever.
Elvis Presley (1956)
Fired by a radio station, yet crowned the King of Rock and Roll.
Mark Zuckerberg (2004)
Faced legal firing threats over Facebook’s origins but kept building the empire.
Oprah Winfrey (1983)
Fired from a TV news job before becoming a media mogul and cultural icon.
Abraham Lincoln (1816)
Fired from a postmaster job, but later became one of America’s greatest presidents.
Walt Disney (1920s)
Early career firing led him to create the Disney empire we know today.
Henry VIII’s advisors (1530s)
Multiple firings, including Thomas More for challenging the king’s authority.
Bill Gates (1975)
Dropped out by choice but was ‘fired’ from college life to start Microsoft.
Marilyn Monroe (1954)
Fired from a movie studio contract, but her star never faded.
Joan of Arc (1431)
Condemned and burned at the stake after political and religious betrayal.
Thomas Edison 1862
Fired from his first job for daydreaming, but later became an inventor icon.
Michael Jackson (1993)
The King of Pop faced career-threatening firings amid scandal and media frenzy.
Marie Antoinette (1789)
The Queen of France lost her head and throne during the revolution’s fiery aftermath.
Steve Jobs (1985)
Apple’s co-founder got the boot but bounced back to become a tech legend.
Richard Nixon (1974)
The president who famously resigned to avoid being fired during the Watergate scandal.