The Biggest Failures Of History's Most Successful People
History loves to celebrate brilliant minds, from tech moguls to artistic geniuses. But behind every empire, blockbuster, or groundbreaking invention, there’s usually a trainwreck nobody talks about. These are the moments when history’s “successful” people spectacularly flopped, reminding us that even legends have facepalm-worthy failures.
Picture Thomas Edison blowing up a lab, or J.K. Rowling facing rejection after countless rejection letters. Their paths weren’t glamorous; they were full of mishaps, ridiculous mistakes, and downright embarrassing setbacks.
By the end of this list, you’ll see that even the most accomplished humans had “oops” moments. Embrace the chaos fully, and maybe feel better about your own.
Cristóbal Colón Collapses
Failed to find Asia, mismanaged colonies, and was sent home in chains, a navigator humbled by fate.
Thomas Edison’s Early Flop
Before lighting the world, he invented a voting machine nobody wanted, proving genius sometimes fails hilariously.
Sócrates Philosophy Punished
Condemned to death for corrupting youth, Socrates’ ideas outlived the courtroom’s absurd verdict.
Miguel Ángel Lost Hercules
His first monumental statue vanished after completion, proving even a master faces dramatic setbacks.
Robert Goddard Rocket Ridicule
Mocked for believing rockets could reach space, his early ambitions inspired modern space travel.
J.K. Rowling’s Rejection Overload
Received dozens of rejection letters before Harry Potter was published, proving even magical success starts with epic fails.
George Washington Defeated General
Lost at Fort Necessity, signing surrender he barely understood, teaching failure is part of leadership.
Nikola Tesla’s Electric Setback
Fired from his own company, Tesla dug ditches to survive, showing that early struggles can spark future genius.
Galileo Galilei Expelled Genius
Kicked out of Pisa University for disorder and criticizing dogma, Galileo proved rebellion can birth brilliance.
Winston Churchill Politically Grounded
School setbacks and battlefield flops didn’t stop him, and years of political ostracism only sharpened his rise before WWII.
Wright Brothers Crashing to Success
Early planes crashed repeatedly, and critics called them frauds, yet their dream flew anyway.
Henry Ford’s Car Company Fails
Multiple car ventures collapsed spectacularly, yet his persistence eventually powered Ford Motor Company to glory.
Vincent van Gogh’s Selling Zero Art
Sold only one painting, lived in poverty, and endured total public rejection before fame found him.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Missing Masterpieces
Lost major works like Gran Cavallo to destruction, proving even a genius can have messy setbacks.
Walt Disney Fired for Imagination
Dismissed from a newspaper and bankrupt at his first studio, Disney’s dreams survived countless rejections.
Charles Darwin’s Evolutionary Struggles
Dropped medicine, angered his father, and hunted dogs instead, showing early failures don’t define genius.
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Deafly Misunderstood
Told he’d never succeed, Beethoven faced harsh criticism yet composed music that outlived his doubters.
Isaac Newton’s Unglamorous Start
Kicked out of school for farm work he hated, young Newton proved brilliance isn’t always obvious.
Abraham Lincoln’s Bad Breaks
Bankruptcy, rejected elections, and a debt-heavy youth taught him that resilience beats instant success.
Albert Einstein’s Physics Fail
Rejected by the Zurich exam on his first try, he spent years in a patent office, showing that even geniuses start humbly.
