10 Historical Figures Who Survived Most Assassinations, Including One Albanian

On July 13, 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old, fired eight rounds from an AR-15 style rifle at him.

The attack resulted in injuries to Trump, and citizen Corey Comperatore lost his life. Trump received medical attention for his injuries and later issued a statement expressing gratitude to his supporters and condemning the act.

This story recalls historical figures who survived assassination attempts. The following list is sorted in chronological order:

1. Alexander II of Russia

During his reign, Emperor Alexander II survived several assassination attempts due to his reforms, such as the emancipation of Russian serfs. Despite surviving numerous attempts, he was eventually killed by a bomb by revolutionaries in 1881.

2. The Wrath of Victoria

Queen Victoria faced around eight assassination attempts during her reign, often while riding horse carriages. Despite these many threats, she survived every attempt and ruled for more than 63 years.

3. Abraham Lincoln

Before his assassination by John Wilkes Booth in 1865, Abraham Lincoln survived at least five assassination plots. These included schemes ranging from knife attacks to poisoning and attempted gunfire.

4. Josip Broz Tito

Josip Broz Tito, the Yugoslav leader, defied death many times, especially during World War II. After the war, his refusal to submit to Soviet control led to numerous assassination attempts by Joseph Stalin. Tito even sent a letter to Stalin, warning him to stop the efforts, which ceased after Stalin's death in 1953.

5. Charles de Gaulle

Charles de Gaulle, the French president and world war II leader, survived numerous attempts on his life, notably by the Organisation Armée Secrète (OAS). His survival from an attack in 1962 is one of the most famous incidents.

6. Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler survived multiple assassination attempts, the most notable being the July 20, 1944 plot. Despite the efforts of many people, including his compatriots, Hitler avoided death until his suicide in 1945.

7. Jaser Arafat

Yaser Arafat, a leader with many enemies, faced multiple assassination attempts. His roles made him a target, yet he survived significant attempts for his life, including a bombing by Israeli fighter jets in 1985. Arafat claimed to have avoided the killers by never sleeping in the same place for two nights in a row.

8. Bird of Albania

King Zog I of Albania survived 55 assassinations during his reign. His toughness in the face of such frequent threats is evident in history.

9. Papa Gijon Pali II

Pope John Paul II survived several assassination attempts, including a shooting in 1981. Despite the severity of these efforts, he forgave his attackers and continued his papacy.

10. Fidel Kastro

Fidel Castro tops the list with 638 assassination attempts against him. The CIA tried multiple methods, but Castro survived each, living to the age of 90.