Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras dominated tennis in the 1990s with a serve so powerful it earned him the nickname “Pistol Pete.” While he often appeared calm and robotic on the court, he secretly battled a physical condition that made every match a struggle. For instance, he slept significantly more than other athletes just to function. Furthermore, he famously met his wife after seeing her in a movie and begging his agent to find her. Prepare to serve and volley with the fourteen-time Grand Slam champion.

Charlemagne

Charlemagne stands as the towering figure who united Western Europe after the fall of Rome. While history books praise his military conquests and religious devotion, his personal life contained many strange habits. For instance, the most powerful man in the world could barely write his own name. Furthermore, he owned a massive white elephant that followed him on his travels. Prepare to bow before the King of the Franks.

J. P. Morgan

J.P. Morgan dominated the financial world of the late 19th century with a level of power that no single person possesses today. While we recognize his name on massive banks, the real man was a complex figure who suffered from a disfiguring skin condition and obsessed over solitaire. For instance, he almost boarded the Titanic for its maiden voyage but cancelled at the last minute. Furthermore, he personally bailed out the United States government during two separate financial crises. Prepare to enter the library of the original tycoon.