22. Dwight Eisenhower –IQ score: 131.9
Before becoming America’s 34th president (1953–1961), Dwight D. Eisenhower was far from a model student at West Point. More focused on football and boxing than academics, he racked up a less-than-stellar disciplinary record. Yet, his graduation in 1915 marked the start of an extraordinary transformation. Joining the Army, Eisenhower quickly caught the attention of his superiors with his strategic mind and leadership potential.
When World War II erupted, Eisenhower’s star rose rapidly. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was summoned to Washington, where he crafted pivotal war plans that helped defeat both Japan and Germany. His leadership as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe and later as NATO’s first Supreme Commander solidified his reputation as a master strategist. As president, Eisenhower defied expectations. A conservative at heart, he nonetheless expanded Social Security and championed infrastructure projects like the Interstate Highway System. Historians now regard him as one of America’s most effective leaders—a testament to how far determination, adaptability, and a knack for turning challenges into opportunities can take you. From underachieving cadet to wartime hero and beloved president, Eisenhower’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention.
