Historic Photos of Young World Leaders Before Their Political Power

Barack Obama as a student

Everyone has a past—a fact that’s easy to forget with high-profile figures such as world leaders. But like the rest of us, these icons were once youthful and nowhere near as powerful as they were (or are) today. The following pictures of young world leaders before they were famous show that they weren’t unlike their constituents; they too posed for school portraits, went on field trips, and played sports. From these unassuming images, it can be hard to believe that the men and women seen here would someday hold large influence over a country.

Knowing the reputation of people like Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Putin, and Richard Nixon, seeing them as youths is almost surreal. No one looks benevolent nor menacing in these photos. Rather, they’re seen here as everyday people who don’t yet know the great power they will later hold. And more importantly, the millions of folks that will be affected by just one of their decisions.

With their power and reputation, it’s easy to forget that world leaders were once young.

Donald Trump at New York’s Military Academy

Vladimir Putin in 1966

Angela Merkel in 1973

George Bush at Yale University sometime between 1964 to 1968

Princess Elizabeth II of England at 18 years old in 1945

These pictures of world leaders young give us insight to who they were before fame.

Margaret Thatcher

Bill Clinton meeting President John F. Kennedy in 1963

Nelson Mandela in 1961

Kim Jong-il with his father Kim Il-sung and mother Kim Jong-suk in 1945

Sadam Hussein

In each photo, these youths appear as everyday people who don’t yet know the great power they’ll soon hold.

Fidel Castro in 1955

John F. Kennedy at age 10 in 1927

Pope Francis as a boy

Hilary Clinton around 1969

14th Dalai Lama

Richard Nixon wearing his football jersey during the 1930s

Joseph Stalin in 1902

Mahatma Gandhi as a law student in 1887

h/t: [Bored Panda, Vintage Everyday]

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