Powerful leaders when they were young Photogallery

About this Gallery

Let's have a glimpse at the leaders from around the world before they became powerful figures.

01 / 29

Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician. He grew up in a communal apartment shared by three families in St. Petersburg. He earned a black belt in judo when he was 18.

See more of : Vladimir Putin

02 / 29

Donald Trump was the second youngest child of five children. Of his four siblings, three are living: Maryanne, Elizabeth, and Robert. He often invokes his uncle as proof of his family’s smart genes.

See more of : Donald Trump

03 / 29

Barack Obama collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics. He is left-handed. Although, in the photo he is holding the cigarette in his right hand.

See more of : Barack Obama

04 / 29

George W. Bush is the son of 41st President of the United States George Bush and Barbara Bush, and paternal grandson of Connecticut U.S. Senator Prescott Bush. He is the only U.S. president ever to father twins.

See more of : George W. Bush

05 / 29

Bill Clinton was a saxophone player in his high school band. He was one of the delegates in an American Legion civics program called Boys Nation, where he got to meet and shake hands with President John F. Kennedy.

See more of : Bill Clinton

06 / 29

Hillary Clinton was the first First Lady to hold a postgraduate degree from Yale Law, and to run for and be elected Senator in 2000.

See more of : Hillary Clinton

07 / 29

Nelson Mandela had a cameo in a Spike Lee movie. He changed the world, grew up in a tiny village and was the first member of his family to attend school.

See more of : Nelson Mandela

08 / 29

Margaret Thatcher got a degree in Chemistry, going on to work as a research chemist, and worked with the research team to invent soft scoop ice cream.

See more of : Margaret Thatcher

09 / 29

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace prize five times. He was responsible for the Civil Rights movement in 4 continents and 12 countries.

See more of : Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

10 / 29

Elizabeth II speaks fluent French and often uses the language for audiences and state visits. She does not require an interpreter. She became the oldest monarch to celebrate a Golden Jubilee.

See more of : Elizabeth II