I don’t think I appreciated history class enough in elementary school. Am I alone on that? It’s either my brain wasn’t developed enough to realize how COOL history is, or my history classes weren’t engaging enough. Probably the former.
Of course, part of those history classes was learning about lotssss of historical figures. Their photos have become engrained in our heads — so much that it’s now shocking to see them at a younger age, before they reached their height of fame.
So I’ve compiled some photos of historical figures when they were younger…and OMG, it’s shocking. I’ll start with the younger one, we’ll see if you can name them, and then I’ll reveal who it is:
1.
You definitely know who this is. Can you name her?
That’s Saint Mother Teresa. Here she is in 1939:
2.
Name this historical figure:
That’s Diana, Princess of Wales. Here she is in 1995:
3.
Who is this young historical figure, known to be one of the greatest minds of all time?
That’s scientist Albert Einstein. Here he is in 1939:
4.
Can you name this historical figure in recent history?
5.
Can you tell me who this is?
That’s Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the UK. Here he is in 1941:
6.
Who is this historical figure?
That’s Mahatma Gandhi, Indian lawyer and activist. Here he is in 1940:
7.
This person is still alive today. Can you identify him?
That’s Joe Biden, former President of the United States. Here he is in 2025:
8.
This one might be easy. Who is he?
That’s singer and performer Michael Jackson. Here’s a photo of him from 1996:
9.
You definitely recognize her face. Before I reveal who it is, can you name her?
10.
Who is this historical figure?
That’s Stephen Hawking, the legendary theoretical physicist and cosmologist. Here he is in 2015:
11.
Can you identify this historical figure?
That’s artist Andy Warhol. Here he is in 1982:
12.
Do you know who this is?
That’s writer Maya Angelou. Here she is in 1999:
13.
This child is one of the most famous musicians of all time, but he doesn’t know it yet.
14.
Can you tell me who this prominent British figure is?
That’s Queen Elizabeth II. Here she is in 2022:
15.
Who is this lovely lady getting married?
That’s zoologist and primatologist Jane Goodall. Here she is in 2025:
16.
Who’s this gentleman?
That’s singer Elton John. Here he is in 2024:
17.
Can you name this ultra-famous scientist?
That’s Charles Darwin, founder of the theory of evolution. Here he is in 1877:
18.
Who is this inventor?
That’s Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the first practical telephone. Here he is in 1910:
19.
Tell me, who is she? You definitely know her.
That’s Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Here she is in 1982:
20.
Who is this famous woman in history?
That’s pilot Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Here she is in 1932:
21.
This one should be easy given what he’s doing in the photo. But who is this?
That’s illusionist Harry Houdini. Here he is in 1920:
22.
Who is she? Does the face ring a bell at all?
That’s Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States. Here she is circa 1940:
23.
Another inventor you definitely know. Who is he?
That’s Thomas Edison, who invented the incandescent lightbulb. Here he is in 1924:
24.
Do you recognize him?
That’s George W. Bush, former President of the United States. Here he is in 2025:
25.
And can you tell me who this person is?
That’s actress Marilyn Monroe. Here she is in 1953:
26.
Any guesses on who this historical figure is?
That’s politician and former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton. Here she is in 2025:
27.
Finally, who is this historical figure?
That’s actor and comedian Bob Hope. Here he is circa 1960:
Who’s your favourite historical figure or actor who was actually really hot when they were younger? Tell me in the comments below!