History is replete with several examples of famous people who encountered significant failures before they attained success. These folks went through unfavorable circumstances that would typically discourage many from pushing for their dreams. However, they all persevered and came out on top.

Today their lives inspire many and they are celebrated around the world.

Here are 10 famous people who started out as failures but overcame adversity:

Stephen King


It is hard to believe that the man who would captivate the world with his horror fiction had his first novel “Carrie” rejected 30 times.

Like anyone would, King was discouraged after the series of rejections from book publishers and dumped the novel in a trash can. But for the intervention his wife, we probably won’t know Stephen King today. She retrieved the book from the can and persuaded him to submit for the 31st time.

This led to his big break and his successful career which will see the sales of over 300 million copies of his books.

READ ALSO: The Seven New Wonders Of The World: Know Your History

Michael Jordan



Throughout his career, Michael Jordan has always preached the importance of learning from one’s failure and he has lived according to what he preaches. In his words:

“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Although Michael Jordan has performed amazing feats in his career and is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, he was once removed from his high school team for being “too short”.

Jack Ma


If there is one great example of a success story, it is Jack Ma. Prior to his success as an e-commerce tycoon, he failed multiple times in many of his endeavours.

He failed his university entrance exams three times, applied to Harvard ten times but was rejected each time and applied for 30 different jobs which all rejected him. On top of that, Jack Ma was the only applicant out of 24 people to be rejected by KFC.

Despite these failures and more, Jack Ma pulled through, ventured into the world of e-commerce, and the rest is history.

Oprah Winfrey


Oprah has earned the title of “Queen of All Media” and is one of the most influential women in the world. Life, however, was not always rosy for the media mogul.

After landing her first TV job as an anchor, Oprah was fired by the producer for being too “unfit for television”. Like most determine folks, she went on to launch her TV show, The Oprah Winfrey Show which would rise to become the one of the highest-rated shows in history.

JK Rowling


JK Rowling started out as a divorced, impoverished, and depressed single mom who wrote when she was less busy. After managing to finish the manuscript for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, she submitted it to 12 publishing houses who all rejected her book.

A year later, a publisher agreed to publish the book because his daughter had read it and fallen in love with it. This would lead to more deals and the rise of the “Harry Potter” brand. Today, she is one of the richest women in the world.

Walt Disney


The man who would revolutionalise entertainment and pioneer a new age of animated films was once told by his newspaper editor that “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Unfazed, Walt continued in his creative endeavours and would turn out to be the most successful animator of all time.

Albert Einstein


As a child, Albert Einstein had speech difficulties and was thought to be mentally handicapped. His life wasn’t any easier as a teenager. He had problems with his teachers and eventually failed his entrance exam into the prestigious Zurich Polytechnic (although he was outstanding in Physics and Maths).

Determined, Einstein intensified his efforts and passed the entrance exam into the Zurich Federal Polytechnic School.

He went on to win a Nobel Prize and is still recognized for how much he contributed to Physics.

Robert Downey Jr.


Known for his sensational role as Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. is perhaps the biggest success story in entertainment today.

Initially, Robert started on a good note in his career, winning the hearts of many with his exceptional performances in his early movies and landing big roles. His career hit a breaking point when he got into drug use and was in and out of prison. By the time he got back into acting, many had written him off.

Nevertheless, he ventured into mainstream acting once again and began to gain more recognition until his role in ‘Iron Man’ which gave him phenomenal success. Today, he is not only one of the successful actors in Hollywood but has left his legacy as ‘Ironman’ – Robert is Iron Man and Iron Man is Robert.

Jim Carrey


For such a hilarious fellow, Jim Carrey didn’t start out in life on a happy note. He grew up in poverty and once worked as a janitor in order to support his family.

During his first stand-up performance, he was booed off the stage.He auditioned many times for Saturday Night Live but was rejected each time.

Eventually, Jim Carrey achieved phenomenal success in Hollywood and brought us some of the most hilarious comedy movies of all time.



Colonel Harland Sanders


Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is one of the most popular fast food chains in the world but this wouldn’t have been possible but for a 65 year old man’s firm resolve to never give up.

After accomplishing little for the most of his life, Col. Harland Sanders eventually discovered his ”Secret” chicken Recipe at the age of 50. He was starting to gain success until World War II which led him to sell one of his restaurants. A second crash of one of his restaurants led to his bankruptcy.

At the age of 65, with just $105 to his name, Col. Sanders founded Kentucky Fried Chicken. He allegedly sold his idea to about 1009 restaurants before one accepted his offer.

A nice and inspiring epistle... Worthy of front page

This is encouraging enough.... That JACK MA part is the most interesting and happens to most Nigerian youths

Add my name to make it eleven. I've come a long way too

Intriguing


This post is front-page worthy.

diligently plan,prepare and persist. u will get there one day

Leave nigerian youths ooo. All you will hear them shouting is for God to pick their gsm without doing anything. The ones that attempt to do, are always in the church praying and fasting.

hmmm

The mod wont see this one worthy to grace the frontpage. But if its Regina Daniel smokes shisha in Combo way they'd push it with zero comment.

Nonsense and Ingredients

OP you try, but you forgot Steve jobs of our popular iPhone.
Even bill Gates.

wonlasewonimi:
Leave nigerian youths ooo. All you will hear them shouting is for God to pick their gsm without doing anything. The ones that attempt to do, are always in the church praying and fasting.

no b lie but u sef na naija youth abi?

Nooneonline:
no b lie but u sef na naija youth abi?

Yeah sure, but God don pick my own call tey tey when I put in more action.

Keep in mind tho that somebody tagging you a failure does not mean you'll become successful in life.

Forgotten Thomas Edison?

mods won't push this to front page to inspire people o, na so so rubbish bb naija we'll seeing

I love this

These are the type os articles that should always make front page, if not for anything for the sake of our youths.

And how many of them are from Africa. They can be called a failure but they didn't duel in a failed nation like Nigeria

Very inspiring. Tough times never last but tough people do.

Oprah winfrey and Jack Ma stories inspire me most, the heights those people got to after rejection is just mind blowing!!
They basically ruled their industries/field of expertise
Lalasticlala this is fp worthy!!

twhy111:
Add my name to make it eleven. I've come a long way too

You care to share it

Wow

OP, you mean you left out Thomas Alva Edison and John Logie Baird- especially Edison- from this list How did that happen?

I guess you haven't read their stories.

thesmallgod:
And how many of them are from Africa. They can be called a failure but they didn't duel in a failed nation like Nigeria

Hmmm... a small god with a small brain... Why am I surprised...?


Listen fellow, stories like these abound everywhere in the world- even here in Africa and as a matter of fact, in Nigeria.
Personally, I have been privileged to encounter one or two of such persons.

It doesn't really matter what clime you are from or reside in. What matters is the man. The man who soldiers on even when the odds stack up heavily against him.

Messi was seen as "not good enough". He had growth syndrome and Barcelona found him, treated him and made him a global star and he's now the greatest footballer ever.

reterdeen:


History is replete with several examples of famous people who encountered significant failures before they attained success. These folks went through unfavorable circumstances that would typically discourage many from pushing for their dreams. However, they all persevered and came out on top.

Today their lives inspire many and they are celebrated around the world.

Here are 10 famous people who started out as failures but overcame adversity:

Stephen King


It is hard to believe that the man who would captivate the world with his horror fiction had his first novel “Carrie” rejected 30 times.

Like anyone would, King was discouraged after the series of rejections from book publishers and dumped the novel in a trash can. But for the intervention his wife, we probably won’t know Stephen King today. She retrieved the book from the can and persuaded him to submit for the 31st time.

This led to his big break and his successful career which will see the sales of over 300 million copies of his books.

READ ALSO: The Seven New Wonders Of The World: Know Your History

Michael Jordan



Throughout his career, Michael Jordan has always preached the importance of learning from one’s failure and he has lived according to what he preaches. In his words:

“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Although Michael Jordan has performed amazing feats in his career and is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, he was once removed from his high school team for being “too short”.

Jack Ma


If there is one great example of a success story, it is Jack Ma. Prior to his success as an e-commerce tycoon, he failed multiple times in many of his endeavours.

He failed his university entrance exams three times, applied to Harvard ten times but was rejected each time and applied for 30 different jobs which all rejected him. On top of that, Jack Ma was the only applicant out of 24 people to be rejected by KFC.

Despite these failures and more, Jack Ma pulled through, ventured into the world of e-commerce, and the rest is history.

Oprah Winfrey


Oprah has earned the title of “Queen of All Media” and is one of the most influential women in the world. Life, however, was not always rosy for the media mogul.

After landing her first TV job as an anchor, Oprah was fired by the producer for being too “unfit for television”. Like most determine folks, she went on to launch her TV show, The Oprah Winfrey Show which would rise to become the one of the highest-rated shows in history.

JK Rowling


JK Rowling started out as a divorced, impoverished, and depressed single mom who wrote when she was less busy. After managing to finish the manuscript for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, she submitted it to 12 publishing houses who all rejected her book.

A year later, a publisher agreed to publish the book because his daughter had read it and fallen in love with it. This would lead to more deals and the rise of the “Harry Potter” brand. Today, she is one of the richest women in the world.

Walt Disney


The man who would revolutionalise entertainment and pioneer a new age of animated films was once told by his newspaper editor that “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Unfazed, Walt continued in his creative endeavours and would turn out to be the most successful animator of all time.

Albert Einstein


As a child, Albert Einstein had speech difficulties and was thought to be mentally handicapped. His life wasn’t any easier as a teenager. He had problems with his teachers and eventually failed his entrance exam into the prestigious Zurich Polytechnic (although he was outstanding in Physics and Maths).

Determined, Einstein intensified his efforts and passed the entrance exam into the Zurich Federal Polytechnic School.

He went on to win a Nobel Prize and is still recognized for how much he contributed to Physics.

Robert Downey Jr.


Known for his sensational role as Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. is perhaps the biggest success story in entertainment today.

Initially, Robert started on a good note in his career, winning the hearts of many with his exceptional performances in his early movies and landing big roles. His career hit a breaking point when he got into drug use and was in and out of prison. By the time he got back into acting, many had written him off.

Nevertheless, he ventured into mainstream acting once again and began to gain more recognition until his role in ‘Iron Man’ which gave him phenomenal success. Today, he is not only one of the successful actors in Hollywood but has left his legacy as ‘Ironman’ – Robert is Iron Man and Iron Man is Robert.

Jim Carrey


For such a hilarious fellow, Jim Carrey didn’t start out in life on a happy note. He grew up in poverty and once worked as a janitor in order to support his family.

During his first stand-up performance, he was booed off the stage.He auditioned many times for Saturday Night Live but was rejected each time.

Eventually, Jim Carrey achieved phenomenal success in Hollywood and brought us some of the most hilarious comedy movies of all time.



Colonel Harland Sanders


Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is one of the most popular fast food chains in the world but this wouldn’t have been possible but for a 65 year old man’s firm resolve to never give up.

After accomplishing little for the most of his life, Col. Harland Sanders eventually discovered his ”Secret” chicken Recipe at the age of 50. He was starting to gain success until World War II which led him to sell one of his restaurants. A second crash of one of his restaurants led to his bankruptcy.

At the age of 65, with just $105 to his name, Col. Sanders founded Kentucky Fried Chicken. He allegedly sold his idea to about 1009 restaurants before one accepted his offer.

I enjoyed reading, thank you for sharing

One interesting thing about this is that after the coming of the great Emperor Imes, if a list like will be created, the person who knows Imes history might put his name in the list.


Imes, gbefun! We await your coming! Come and lead us into GLORY!!!

Moral lesson of these stories. Don't allow people pessimistic words to deter you from achieving your goals in life.

I have failed , made mistakes, but I’ve never stopped trying . I will be great , I will be the definition of success . Amen .

I'm next to top that list.

All those guys wishing for this to go to FP have forgotten this is Nairaland
A place where slay mamas/baby whales climbing ladder made FP;
but a thread about the history of 9/11 was dismissed!