23. Richard Nixon – IQ score: 131
Long before becoming America’s 37th president (1969–1974), Richard Nixon was the quintessential overachiever. A stellar student with a knack for debate and extracurricular excellence, he carried that drive into adulthood. After law school, Nixon aimed high, applying to the FBI—only to be met with silence. Undeterred, he climbed the ranks at a small law firm, becoming a partner while also earning military commendations for his service in World War II. His political career began with the same relentless ambition, culminating in a narrow but hard-fought presidential victory in 1968 after a previous loss in 1960.
Nixon’s presidency was marked by groundbreaking achievements, particularly in foreign policy: He opened diplomatic relations with China, negotiated the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) with the Soviet Union, and began the process of ending the Vietnam War. Yet, his legacy is forever shadowed by the Watergate scandal—a web of deceit and abuse of power that led to his historic resignation in 1974, making him the only U.S. president to leave office in disgrace. Nixon’s story is a cautionary tale of brilliance and persistence undone by hubris, a reminder that even the loftiest achievements can crumble under the weight of ethical failures.
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