Learn about the manipulative schemes these celebs were subjected to
Dictators are usually known for their cruelty and their oppressive regimes, but in this gallery, we'll tell you all about the less harmful but exceptionally weird things they got up to.
This collection of strange stories about some of the most powerful despots in history is as good as proof that they were all eccentric weirdos! Click through the gallery to find out all about their bizarre decisions and delusions.
After winning the election, Ecuador's former president decided to celebrate his victory by performing an Elvis impersonation on stage instead of giving a conventional acceptance speech.
Abdalá Bucaram was nicknamed "El Loco" ("The Madman") for many reasons, including paying soccer legend Diego Maradona US$1 million to play a game with him.
Kim Jong-un has long been at the center of all sorts of bizarre stories from inside North Korea, but his father, Kim Jong-il, once had a similar reputation.
Kim Jong-il asserted that he invented the Gogigyeopbbang, meaning "double bread with meat." Yes, it's essentially a hamburger.
The former president of Venezuela invested money into strange ideas despite the country facing shortages of essential goods like toilet paper.
One such project was the creation of the "Vergatario" cell phone. The term "verga" in Spanish is colloquial for a certain male body part, leading to significant controversy and serious questions about his judgment...
Idi Amin wasn't happy with the title "President of Uganda," so he changed it to: "His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular"
Idi Amin had a peculiar fascination with Scotland. He frequently adorned himself in a kilt, boldly asserted his right to the Scottish throne, and even entertained the notion of wedding Queen Elizabeth. The movie 'The Last King of Scotland,' starring Forest Whitaker (pictured), tells his story.
In 1966, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa successfully ousted his cousin David Dacko (the president of Central Africa) and subsequently assumed control.
The self-proclaimed "Emperor Bokassa I of Central Africa" was tried for numerous crimes and sentenced to death, but in the end, he was eventually released. Bokassa then started calling himself the 13th Apostle of Christ.
Under no circumstances was anyone authorized to enter the bedroom of the former leader of the Soviet Union.
This measure proved to be fatal, as Stalin died of a stroke in his room alone, without anyone daring to enter his private chambers to check on him.
During the late 19th century, Bolivia was under the leadership of General Mariano Melgarejo. He's known to have forced the British ambassador to drink a bowl of cocoa until he vomited, and then he tied him up on a donkey.
He also taught his horse, named Holofernes, to drink beer and urinate on people.
Under the rule of 'Estado Novo' (Portuguese dictatorship) it was illegal to use a lighter without a license. This was supposedly done to protect the Portuguese match industry.
Coca-Cola was banned from Portugal in the 1950s under the leadership of the then Prime Minister, Salazar.
The former President of Haiti, also known as "Papa Doc," claimed to be the Voodoo spirit of death, Baron Samedi.
He claimed to have caused President John F. Kennedy's death in 1963 through the use of a Voodoo doll.
The former President of Turkmenistan thought highly of himself. He wrote a book and made it a compulsory read in mosques and schools.
And if that wasn't enough, he actually renamed the months of the year! Niyazov named January "Turkmenbashi," which means "Head of all the Turkmen," a name he liked to call himself.
The ex-President of the Dominican Republic, also referred to as "El Jefe" ("The Boss"), renamed various elements including the capital, roads, bridges, and mountains after himself.
In an unusual move, Trujillo named his 3-year-old son Ramfis a colonel in the Dominican Army.
Colonel Gaddafi, the deceased Libyan leader, had a team of female bodyguards responsible for his safety, with a unique requirement—they all had to be virgins.
However, he did make at least one wise decision during his rule by purchasing shares of the Italian soccer club, Juventus.
The late leader of Iraq held the belief that it was his divine destiny to govern Iraq indefinitely, according to the New York Times.
During his presidential campaign, Saddam Hussein utilized an Arabic rendition of the widely known Whitney Houston song 'I Will Always Love You.'
The former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo prohibited anyone else from wearing leopard-print hats.
Mobutu arranged a boxing spectacle known as The Rumble in the Jungle, and paid Muhammad Ali and George Foreman a sum of US$5 million each to participate in the bout.
The first President of Equatorial Guinea likewise opted to alter his title, deeming "Grand Master of Education, Science, and Culture" more suitable.
Nguema is known to have banned the word "intellectual."
See also: Who were the women behind the dictators?
The most bizarre things done by famous dictators
You won't believe some of the strange decisions they made...
CELEBRITY Weird facts
Dictators are usually known for their cruelty and their oppressive regimes, but in this gallery, we'll tell you all about the less harmful but exceptionally weird things they got up to.
This collection of strange stories about some of the most powerful despots in history is as good as proof that they were all eccentric weirdos! Click through the gallery to find out all about their bizarre decisions and delusions.