Buzz
We’re all human, and that means we are capable of mistakes, as well as moments of redemption. Historical figures and celebrities are no exception—they’ve committed grievous acts, but occasionally, they’ve also performed actions that were commendable. In fact, some of these figures, often seen as monstrous, have done good deeds that are rarely discussed.
Let’s explore some of the positive actions taken by people we usually associate with darkness.
10. Ted Bundy
In 1971, Ted Bundy was simply another college student at the University of Washington. Like any typical student, he studied, worked, and even cooked his own meals. His job, however, was far from ordinary—it was at the Seattle Suicide Hotline, where he volunteered to provide support to those in need of help.
That's right! The infamous serial killer Ted Bundy spent a portion of his college years encouraging individuals to reconsider taking their own lives. Former police officer and author Ann Rule remarked during Bundy's arrest that he 'took lives, but also saved lives.'
While it may seem odd that a murderer would spend his time essentially doing the opposite of killing, there’s a certain logic to it. Clinical and forensic psychologist Darrel Turner believes that this job might have even made Bundy a more efficient killer. It allowed him to understand the type of language vulnerable individuals need to hear in order to be swayed to make such a drastic decision. Turner stated, 'As someone who made a life study of manipulating other people, I think it makes sense that he would get a job like that.'
9. Ivan the Terrible
To earn the title 'the terrible,' you must be exceptionally ruthless, and Ivan the Terrible certainly lived up to that name. From executing civilians to expand his territory to murdering his own son, Ivan’s historical reputation is far from favorable. However, from a political standpoint, his reign wasn’t entirely disastrous. He founded the Russian version of parliament, reformed church practices, and expanded Russian territory significantly.
As the first tsar of Russia, Ivan greatly expanded the Russian state during his rule from 1547 to 1584. He led a series of military campaigns, most notably against the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia, remnants of the Mongol Empire. By conquering these regions, he secured control of the Volga River and opened access to the Caspian Sea. Ivan’s territorial ambitions also included attempts to gain influence in the Baltic region, though these efforts were largely unsuccessful against the Livonian Order and other European powers.
Although the term “terrible” originally signified “fearsome” or “formidable,” rather than “bad,” the nickname has certainly stuck in a way Ivan might not fully appreciate.
8. Andrew Jackson
President Andrew Jackson is notorious in American history for orchestrating the Trail of Tears, a tragic event between 1830 and 1850, where 60,000 Native Americans were forced from their homelands and subjected to a harsh journey across the nation. Beyond this, Jackson’s volatile temperament and his tendency to appoint unqualified friends to cabinet positions have earned him a spot among the least favored U.S. presidents.
Despite these flaws, Jackson did have a significant achievement: he managed to pay off the national debt for the first and only time in U.S. history. However, the economy subsequently collapsed, partly due to his opposition to a central bank. Interestingly, on a more positive note, Jackson did adopt a young Native American child, raising him after the boy’s mother was killed in a raid during the Creek War. Yet, it is important to note that the Creek War itself was largely driven by Jackson’s own actions.
Some historians speculate that Jackson’s decision to adopt the child may have been driven more by a desire to gain favor with local Native Americans than by genuine goodwill.
7. Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte is chiefly remembered for his ambition to conquer Europe, and perhaps even the world. His reign led to an estimated 1.3 million French civilian deaths as a result of his military campaigns between the late 1790s and the 1810s.
These massive casualty figures tend to overshadow some of the more positive aspects of Napoleon’s rule, particularly the introduction of the Napoleonic Codes. These reforms promoted greater legal equality in France and played a pivotal role in breaking down the oppressive feudal system that had long held down the lower classes.
6. Jim Jones
Before the 9/11 attacks, the Jonestown mass murder-suicide stood as the deadliest loss of American civilian life in a targeted attack. On November 18, 1978, Jim Jones coerced 918 of his followers, including women and children, into taking their own lives to avoid being sent back to the United States. The people of Jonestown had followed Jones to Guyana, drawn by his promise of a better, more equal future for all, irrespective of race or social standing.
Indeed, Jones’s beliefs were notably progressive for his time. Amid the civil rights movement, Jones preached to a diverse congregation, emphasizing that God loved everyone and encouraging kindness toward others. His churches across America began as positive forces in their communities, promoting interaction and understanding between black and white people.
As time passed, Jones became increasingly addicted to drugs, which fueled his growing paranoia. Believing that the U.S. government was targeting him, he led his followers to a remote rainforest in Guyana, where he promised they would create a utopian society. While the tragic end of this story is well-known, it’s worth noting that the foundational ideals behind Jones’s beliefs were, at their core, quite admirable.
5. Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar, the infamous King of Cocaine, surprisingly had a softer side. He was known locally as Colombia's version of Robin Hood, the notorious outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor.
Much like the legendary English figure, Escobar used his immense fortune to support his community. He funded local soccer teams, built hospitals, and provided housing, leading many Colombians to view him more favorably than the government did. His popularity was so great that he was even elected to Colombia’s Congress in 1982!
4. Yakuza
The Yakuza can be seen as Japan’s equivalent of the mafia. Known for their distinctively large tattoos, they are so feared in Japan that people with tattoos unrelated to gangs sometimes face discrimination due to the association.
Yet, when a powerful earthquake struck Japan in 2011, the Yakuza unexpectedly took action in a positive way. They dispatched over 25 trucks loaded with vital supplies such as food, water, flashlights, and diapers to the areas most affected by the disaster. An anonymous Yakuza member shared: “There are no Yakuza or katagi (ordinary citizens) or gaijin (foreigners) in Japan right now. We are all Japanese. We all need to help each other.”
3. Hitler
Adolf Hitler, arguably the most infamous man in history, was also known for his well-documented love of animals. In addition to his well-known affection for his German Shepherd, Blondi, Hitler was also a vegetarian.
Under Hitler’s regime, the Nazis introduced the Animal Protection Act in 1933, which made it a crime to mistreat or harm animals. This law extended to those in circuses and zoos, a progressive move for its time. Unpopular among many, the Third Reich also passed anti-hunting laws to protect wildlife.
Historian Matthew Piper suggests that these animal protection laws offer an intriguing glimpse into the Nazi mindset, as they share similarities with the Nuremberg Laws, which stripped Jews of German citizenship. He points out, “The Nazis saw the land and the animals living on it as sacred to Germany, but they viewed ethnic minorities as invaders in their country.”
Rather than attributing these laws to Hitler’s love of animals, it may be more accurate to connect them to his belief in German purity. He regarded these animals as natural elements of the land, part of Germany’s sacred identity, and therefore deemed their protection essential to preserving German heritage and culture.
2. Al Capone
Chicago might not have earned the nickname the Windy City because of its weather, but it can certainly get brutally cold. Imagine enduring that freezing chill during the Great Depression, with no food or shelter to keep you warm. It would have been a harsh time to live in the Second City.
In 1930, Chicago’s most notorious figure decided to take matters into his own hands to help the city's citizens. Gangster Al Capone, notorious for his role in the bloody St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, opened a soup kitchen downtown. A close associate of Capone told a local newspaper that he couldn’t stand to see the people starving and, seeing no one else stepping up, Capone decided to handle it himself.
Thousands were served hot meals, with no limits on seconds or thirds. Unlike other government programs, Capone’s soup kitchen required no paperwork to prove need, and no questions were asked – staying true to mobster fashion. One writer aptly described Capone as “an ambidextrous giant who kills with one hand and feeds with the other.” Despite his violent methods in dealing with rivals, Capone couldn’t stand to see innocent civilians go hungry.
1. Saddam Hussein
Typically, dictators are not held in high regard, and Saddam Hussein fits this mold. The Iraqi leader is remembered as a ruthless and harsh ruler.
However, despite his notorious reputation, Hussein did implement some positive reforms during his time in power. He oversaw the creation of major infrastructure projects, including roads, mining, and the development of numerous industries in Iraq. Before his reign, much of Iraq had no access to electricity, but Hussein's regime significantly reduced this gap. He also made schooling mandatory, leading to a sharp decline in illiteracy rates.
Even more surprising was the significant improvement in the quality of life for women. The 1970s brought Iraqi women equal rights in areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and custody, as well as in the workforce.
