10 Famous People Who Had Syphilis

Adolf Hitler. Photo by Bundesarchiv. Wikimedia Commons

10 Famous People Who Had Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. This infection has devastated the human race for centuries and even though it is treatable, lack of effective medication in the past led to severe or fatal consequences. In history, this infection has touched the lives of many prominent figures and many have succumbed to the disease from politicians, artists, and philosophers to royalty. Throughout history, the list of people affected by this infection is long and illustrious spanning ancient times in history and different cultures. Its dire consequences have been devastating both physically and socially, leaving irreversible damage to the reputation and the body of the affected person. In this article, we will review some of the most famous people in history who had syphilis and how the disease impacted their lives and legacies. The impact of the infection is a tragic aspect of their history. Walk with us through the paragraphs of this article and discover the 10 most famous people who had syphilis and how the disease impacted their relationships, reputation, and careers.

1. Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler. Photo by Bundesarchiv. Wikimedia Commons

Adolf Hitler is a name that needs no introduction. He is regarded as one of the most notorious figures in history for the devastation of Europe. He was responsible for the death of millions of people during the second world war. However, not many are aware that he contracted syphilis in his early life. While in his youth, Hitler contracted syphilis and was treated in a hospital in Pasewalk. The symptoms of the disease however resurfaced in 1937 which show that the infection was still active in his body. By 1942, the signs continued to progress leading to syphilitic paralysis. It is believed that the infection could have caused his erratic behavior and paranoid delusions and to some extent impaired decision-making.

Check out: 10 Facts about Adolf Hitler

2. Al Capone

Al Capone. Photo by Chicago Bureau (Federal Bureau of Investigation). Wikimedia Commons

Al Capone was a famous American gangster who was known by the name “Scarface”. He rose to prominence and power in the 1920s during the prohibition era. He became very wealthy due to his involvement in organized crime which also made him get feared as well. While carrying out crimes, he got exposed to sexual crimes and at some point, he contracted Syphilis at a youthful age. However, he kept his condition secret from the public and little was known about it. The disease devastated his health and is said to have affected his physical and mental condition in later years.

3. James Joyce

James Joyce. Photo by Alex Ehrenzweig. Wikimedia Commons

James Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet recognized as of the most influential writers of the 20^th century. One of his outstanding features was his approach to literature and contribution to the modernist movement. However, despite his success in literature, his life was tested by a series of health issues. He contracted syphilis in the early 1900s which was speculated to have been caused by a sexual encounter with a sex worker. The disease impacted him mentally and physically as he struggled through life and continued to write. His condition highlighted the impact of health issues on individuals and the community.

4. Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin. Painting by Wikimedia Commons

Paul Gauguin was a French artist who made his name from his role in the post-Impressionist art movement. He contracted syphilis infection in the late 1800s during the period when Europe was associated with moral decay and promiscuity. The disease contributed significantly to the decline of his health in later years. However, he managed to keep one leg ahead of the other and his work has been sensational over the years to date. His creativity and innovation are admired and celebrated by fellow artists.

5. Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde. Photo by Napoleon Sarony. Wikimedia Commons

Oscar Wilde was a well-celebrated and famous legendary Irish playwright, poet, and novelist who made his name from his outstanding contribution to the literary world. However, his life was not a bed of roses as he had to struggle with personal issues as well as battling syphilis. He contracted the infection while he was a student at Oxford. He was known for his scandalous behavior which led to being affected during his time at the university. However, due to the stigma and shame that comes with syphilis, he kept it a secret which later contributed to isolation and loneliness later in his life. Nevertheless, this did not hold him back from doing some of the best contributions to literature.

6. Ivan the Terrible

Ivan the Terrible. Photo by Shakko. Wikimedia Commons

Ivan the terrible was a famous Russian ruler. He is remembered as a notorious ruler who was known for his cruelty and brutality and also for the contribution he put toward the expansion of the Russian Empire. In the 1560s, he contracted syphilis which marked a series of health battles and other al issues. The symptoms included chronic pain and physical disfigurement among others. However, despite being trolled by the disease, Ivan the terrible continued to rule with an iron fist and indulged in military battles to consolidate power on behalf of the Russian people.

7. Ivan Pavlov

Ivan Pavlov. Photo author is unknown. Wikimedia Commons

Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist and Nobel prize winner for his sensational work on classical conditioning. It is believed that he contracted syphilis in his youth age while he was pursuing medical studies in St. Petersburg during the late 19^th century. At the moment, syphilis was spreading through Russia and was continually becoming a serious health issue. Many individuals had been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases. Despite the illness, he continued to pursue his career in conducting research in the field of philosophy, especially on classic conditioning. He made immense contributions to science and medicine which have been celebrated to date.

8. King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII. Photo by Hans Holbein the Younger. Wikimedia Common

King Henry VIII is recognized as one of the most notorious figures in the monarchy of England. There is no defective evidence that he contracted syphilis but historians have speculated that he contracted the disease in his lifetime. At the time, syphilis was a common disease in Europe during the 16^th century. It is believed that he contracted the disease from one of his mistresses or from a prostitute that he patronized during his reign.  Nonetheless, he continued to rule and turned out to be one of the most influential monarchs in English history.

9. Gustave Flaubert

Gustave Flaubert. Photo by Eugène Giraud. Wikimedia Commons

Gustave Flaubert was a legendary French writer and novelist. He is believed to have contracted syphilis back in his mid-20s when he went for a trip to the Middle East. He was known for his decadent lifestyle which mainly involved a lot of traveling, traveling a lot, and affairs with both males and females. He was able to produce some of the most renowned and iconic French literature. He is regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 19^th century having contributed significantly to French literature.

10. Charles Baudelaire

Charles Baudelaire. Photo by Notwist. Wikimedia Commons

Charles Baudelaire is an iconic French poet and writer. He is one of the historic figures who was rumored to have contracted syphilis possibly because of his lifestyle and association with the bohemian culture. Rumors have it that he contracted the disease from the many sexual partners that he engaged with. However, despite his reputation, he was an introspective artist who wrote a lot and explored the themes of mortality, love, and despair. He wrote some of the renowned works of French Literature that contributed greatly to today’s artistic world.