What was your reaction to finding out your favorite famous politician, celebrity, or British royal was branded a narcissist?
I was stunned when Joanna Weiss, Politico Magazine Editor, included British Royal, Meghan Markle, as one of several famous narcissists. Markle is featured in the article, 2022 Is the Year We All Finally Got Tired of Narcissists.
I’m absolutely excited to continue naming names of people who may not know are narcissistic to the bone. I don’t wanna spoil the surprise just yet! Hang tight as I seek to enrich your knowledge about narcissism and the signs someone may be a narcissist.
What Is a Narcissist?
A narcissist is a person who displays personality traits consistent with symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). The mental disorder can develop through genetics or from being raised around narcissistic people. One study, in particular, finds that grandiosity and entitlement are two common traits children may inherit.
Narcissists have predictable personality traits and characteristics as stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5 PDF). They have a false sense of self-importance and an oversized ego that requires constant stroking.
Their actions and responses are linked to low self-esteem or believing they are defective. To cope with poor self-image and unworthiness, they seek to assert control over others. This may lead to ruthless behaviors if they are unable to feel remorse.
Why Society Shuns Narcissists
At the core of narcissism is a high lack empathy or the inability of a narcissist to connect with the emotional experience of others. Treating others like a means to an end becomes effortless. A one-sided or transactional relationship will eventually emerge.
Those high on the narcissism scale are more likely to resort to psychological manipulation. It involves using various strategies to influence your thoughts or gain control, power, fame, wealth, or relationship benefits. Tactics include guilt-tripping to get compliance, gaslighting to distort your reality, and triangulation to instill insecurity.
37 Gaslighting Examples & Phrases That Manipulative People Use is a real eye-opener.
As emotionally harmful as it is, psychologists describe manipulation as a coping strategy narcissists use to buffer their insecurity and low self-worth.
But here’s the clincher. Relationships with a narcissist are often purely transactional and can be profoundly damaging to your mental health. In his book, Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq, agrees that narcissists are one of 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life.
Their manipulation and emotional abuse never fail to leave victims feeling helpless, insecure, and resentful.
Top Signs Someone Might be a Narcissist
A person could potentially be a narcissist if they show the following traits, characteristics, or behavior on a persistent basis:
- Overstating their importance
- Making grand statements about themselves (E.g.,“I’m the best.“)
- Showing little to no care for your opinions and feelings (lack of empathy)
- Overvaluing themself (superiority complex) while devaluing others
- Disobeying rules, authority, and boundaries
- Believing they’re special or unique
- Obsessing over endless wealth, power, or beauty
- Reacting negatively, with anger or defensiveness, to criticism
- Envying others and believing they are envied by people
- Controlling relationships through coercion and manipulation to secure their needs
- Exhibiting ongoing arrogance or detachment from reality (delusions)
- Playing the victim to avoid responsibility or gain support
15 Famous People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Prepare to be stunned by famous men and women on the list who emit strong narcissistic vibes. Some have passed on but continue to maintain notoriety for their narcissism.
1. Donald Trump
We, all know him, but perhaps you didn’t know he’s what some call the epitome of narcissism. He’s the former U.S. president and business mogul, Donald Trump.
His traits are likened to those linked to grandiose narcissism. The signs played out in public numerous times with Trump’s grand claims about his unfettered powers and superpower abilities. The belief is an example of a delusion of grandeur seen in grandiose narcissists.
The former president displays strong self-centeredness traits, often referring to himself countless times. Dr John Zinner, a psychoanalyst and clinical professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine, suspects Trump has “narcissistic personality disorder.”
According to The Independent, Trump is ‘incapable of attending to any issue beyond his own personal need for adulation’.
2. Elon Musk
How does, the richest person in the world end up there? Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and Space X, owes it to his braggadacious and attention-seeking behavior.
Musk habitually uses his social media platform, X, as an attention-seeking tool for highlighting his brilliance and accomplishments. He persistently reminds tweeters he’s the richest in the world.
The problem with narcissists like Musk is that they allure us with their charism while simultaneously turning us off with their arrogant, haughty, and controlling behavior.
Demonstrating the “I have special powers” trait of NPD, Musk is on a mission to send humans to Mars. Psychologists call the belief one possesses special powers beyond human capacity a “delusion of grandeur.”
3. Kim Jung-Un
Whether you think of him as famous or simply infamous, Kim Jong-un isn’t a fan of empaths. The North Korean leader’s visible lack of empathy, or disregard for the suffering of others, contradicts everything empaths embrace.
The empathetic void is evidenced in Jung-un’s ruthless governance over his people. For example, the death sentence for “importing or distributing foreign content.”
Known for his draconian rulership and threats to use nuclear weapons, on the West and their allies, Jung-un continues to portray himself as a “god”. Exalting himself as special and unique above other human beings align with the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder.
Research confirms Kim Jung-un shows a “maladaptive personality” consistent with DSM-V. Kim’s primary personality pattern reveals he’s an extrovert who’s dominant and controlling at the core.
4. Adolph Hitler
Stephen A. Diamond, Ph.D., a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist in Los Angeles, examined “How Mad Was Hitler?” Diamond concluded, “There is no question that Hitler’s personality included…psychopathic narcissism and…narcissistic personality disorder.”
Adolph Hitler was the notorious leader of Nazi Germany. Historians described him as a charismatic but self-entitled, controlling, and manipulative power-drunk leader.
He believed he was a special person born to create the most powerful German empire.
Hitler, noticeably bereft of empathy, has been written down in history as a dangerous, ruthless, murderous narcissist. One of the most unforgettable atrocities under his regime was the killing of millions, including some six million Jews during the Holocaust.
5. Jim Jones
Have you ever heard the term “evil narcissist?” Think Jim Jones and Hitler. The ever-so-charming Jim Jones’ use of his position of power to brainwash and ultimately murder his cult-like followers is demonstrative of a sociopathic narcissist.
A narcissistic sociopath’s immense lack of empathy enables them to effortlessly lie, deceive, manipulate, break the law, and disregard the lives and safety of others. They are detached from reality and unable to feel remorse for hurting others.
Upon an examination of his personality, researchers realized Jones also “suffered from paranoia delusions.”
Jones’ obsession with power as a religious leader and lack of moral compass ended with him spearheading the murder of over 900 devoted followers. The massacre occured in Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978.
6. Ye aka Kanye West
The notorious rapper and Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband, Ye, is described in the media as a “grandiose”, “arrogant”, “self-obsessed”, and “delusional narcissist”. Not to mention controversial and over-the-top like Donald Trump who he affiliates with. Birds of a feather?
The fashion designer referred to himself as a “genius” multiple times, according to Politico’s Editor, Joanna Weiss. He tells Wendy Williams on her show, “I am the number one human being in music. That means any person that’s living or breathing is number two.”
Bragging about themselves is an overt narcissist’s way of exaggerating their self-worth.
At his 2014 concert in Sydney, Australia, the “Donda” singer ordered everyone to stand up if they wanted him to continue singing. “Unless you got a handicap pass and you get special parking and sh*t,” he ordered.
7. Kim Kardashian
From a public POV, Kim Kardashian, the famous socialite and reality TV star, has a narcissistic personality.
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star is appropriately dubbed ‘the selfie queen’. In fact, she practically built her career by capitalizing on her appearance.
In the context of narcissism, constantly posting selfies shows an obsession with self and a hunger for attention and validation of her looks. Life Management and hypnotherapist, Kim Friedmutter, endorses it as “a form of narcissistic behavior.”
8. Tiger Woods
The headline, “Tiger Woods Is Branded a ‘Pathological Narcissist,” appeared in multiple articles in 2019. Cheater? Yes. But narcissist? Shocking, right? The headlines followed Roaring Back – the Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods, a biography authored by Curt Sampson.
In the book, Sampson sought to expose the American golf champion’s relationships which Sports Illustrated writer, John Garrity, describes as self-serving. Sampson quotes Garrity as saying, ‘All of his human relationships were transactional.’ Woods only aligned himself with people who could advance his career or meet his needs.
Narcissists tend to build a steady source of sexual supply to boost their fragile ego. A personality profile on Woods argues his multiple extra-marital affairs are suggestive of his need for this type of narcissistic supply.
9. Steve Jobs
Opinions are split on whether the Founder and CEO of Apple Inc., the late Steve Jobs, was a narcissist. For Relly Nadler, Psy.D., M.C.C., a licensed psychologist and author, it’s a “Yes.” Nadler explored the Job’s personality profile in a Psychology Today article.
“It looks like Jobs clearly fits 6 of the 9” of the DSM-V behavioral expressions for NPD, writes Nadler.
Steve Jobs believed he was “special” and “unique.” Caregivers catering to his wishes at a young age fed this inflated sense of self-importance. The treatment likely encouraged the late CEO’s sense of entitlement to favorable treatment.
There’s a story that Jobs regularly parked in a handicapped space. If Jobs wasn’t, in fact, handicapped, the behavior shows a lack of empathy seen in NPD.
10. Cleopatra
A psychiatric assessment of Cleopatra using historical facts concludes her traits fit within the realm of narcissistic personality. Cleopatra the Great was a dynamic woman and powerful Egyptian Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Yet, she could not stand losing.
Holding herself out as a goddess speaks to a self-inflated and manufactured self-importance. Historian, Stacy Schiff, documents her grandiose sense of self in his book, “Cleopatra: A Life.”
Her hunger for adoration and manipulative behavior stood out among other maladaptive traits of narcissism. History brands her a “master manipulator” who seduced others to gain and retain power.
Cleopatra took her own life dramatically to avoid accepting defeat. According to historians, her narcissism won’t let her.
11. Mariah Carey
Forever a diva in her own eyes, Mariah Carey exudes an air of superiority. The trait becomes evident in instances where she suggests she’s beyond the norm. How about when the “I’ll Be There” singer told US Weekly she swims in “evening gowns and heels?”
On yet another occasion, Carey displayed the blame-shifting and superiority nature of narcissism. It was New Year’s Eve, 2016, when instead of a smashing performance, the singer reportedly had an lip–syncing disaster.
She reportedly told Rolling Stone, “Even the dancers should have stopped dancing and helped me off the f—ing stage…It was a mess, and I blame everybody.”
12. Elizabeth Holmes
Elizabeth Holmes is the founder of Theranos. The biotechnology businesswoman is serving time in prison for fraud and conspiracy for lying to investors. Seemingly charming on the outside, Holmes is regarded as a“toxic boss who exhibited narcissistic behavior,” by her ruthless treatment and unempathic discard of employees.
Holmes is likened to a narcissist with a high absence of empathy, and possibly a sociopath. John Carreyrou in his #1 Bestseller book, Bad Blood, writes, “I’ll leave it to the psychologists to decide whether Holmes fits the clinical profile, [of a sociopath] but there’s no question that her moral compass was badly askew.”
Sociopathy or antisocial personality disorder is akin to the next level of malignant narcissism. Sociopaths share traits similar to narcissists but are more willing to hurt others due to a strong lack of guilt or remorse.
Note the NINE key differences between Sociopaths VS Narcissists.
13. Richard Nixon
You may have heard of Richard Nixon’s link to the infamous Watergate Scandal, but did you know he was narcissistic? Yeah. It is widely believed the former Republic president had NPD based on pathological tendencies to lie and manipulate in the political sphere.
Nixon also exaggerated his self-importance and exhibited paranoia. Someone with paranoia experiences a persistent but irrational suspicion that people are plotting to harm them.
According to History.com, the former Republican President “took aggressive steps to cover up the crimes.” His involvement in a political conspiracy led to him resigning in 1974. Nixon’s involvement in the scandal may have roots in his narcissistic personality.
John A. Pharrell writes about the disgraced president’s insecure and paranoid behaviors in his book Richard Nixon: The Life.
14. Beyonce Knowles
The Bee Hive may be in denial, but there’s a good chance their beloved and adored Beyonce Giselle Knowles is a narcissist.
The singer tells GQ Magazine, “I now know that yes, I am powerful.” “I’m more powerful than my mind can even digest and understand.” These are two of many grandiose statements the singer made about herself throughout her career.
According to reports, the Drunk in Love singer obsessively goes over all her performances. There are more troubling signs of her astonishing narcissism and self-obsession.
The former Destiny’s Child singer revealed to GQ she “has shot practically her every waking moment, up to sixteen hours a day, since 2005.”
15. Oprah Winfrey
The famous Oprah Winfrey’s name shows up on several lists of narcissistic celebrities. Winfrey is a successful American talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. Who would forget her grand gestures on her Oprah Winfrey show?
Grandiosity is a sign of overt and communal narcissism, says Dr. Patrice Le Goy, a psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Winfrey presented herself as an incredibly charming person who donated millions to causes to show how much she cares about people. Psychology experts can see right through that facade. Oprah is widely seen as an egotistical, self-obsessed person whose goal is self-promotion.
Take a closer look at the traits of a communal narcissist. You may notice some fit the Color Purple actress.
Note: A professional psychologist or psychotherapist will have to medically assess the individuals on the lists of famous narcissists to confirm they are, in fact, DSM-5 narcissists.
Even if they don’t meet the requirements for NPD, they can’t seem to hide their narcissistic ways.
Final Thoughts on Famous Narcissists
Narcissism forms out of low self-esteem which causes the person to use harmful strategies to dominate others. However, people don’t choose to be narcissists, and not all of them intentionally hurt others.
It doesn’t mean you should let them wreak havoc in your life. Setting boundaries is one effective way to actively safeguard your well-being from the negative impact of dealing with narcissists.
Dive deeper into the world of narcissism with this other eye-opening article, Are Narcissists Evil? How to Find Out.
And if you're looking for more resources about narcissists an manipulation, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 15 Ways to Make a Narcissist Miserable
- Are Narcissists Insecure? 11 Reasons They Are
- 11 Reasons Narcissists Will Breadcrumb and Manipulate You
Finally, if you want to identify YOUR personality type, then take one of these 11 personality tests to better understand what makes you tick.
