“12 Celebrated Heroes Who Hid Sinister Secrets”
Let’s not forget that behind Disney’s inspired imagination lies a complicated past that can’t be ignored. The creators of wonder and enchantment are not immune to prejudices, a sobering reality check that reminds us nobody is exempt from harboring biases.
3. Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel’s radically streamlined fashion designs changed the agenda for generations of style-conscious women. But during World War II, she got involved with a German officer and was accused of collaborating with the Nazis. Suspicions swirled around her company’s meteoric rise, with rumors abounding that she’d cashed in her networking chips to get ahead – and even had the audacity to try and reclaim her perfume empire from Jewish investors.
Behind Chanel’s glorious reputation, a problematic past lurks, reminding us that even pioneering women can stumble morally.
4. Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss, the author of those whimsical books many of us grew up with, had a past that’s far from child-friendly. It’s disquieting to recall his earliest ventures, spent mocking African Americans and Asians through cringe-worthy cartoons and illustrations.
Regret tainted his view of those early creations, a harsh lesson that even the most beloved role models can have a shameful past.
