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© History Oasis
Throughout history, famous drunks have left a mark on culture, politics, and the arts.
Their legendary alcohol consumption often rivaling their professional accomplishments in notoriety.
Winston Churchill was known for his prodigious alcohol consumption, reportedly drinking champagne, wine, and brandy with every meal, followed by whisky and soda throughout the day.
Despite his heavy drinking habits, Churchill famously quipped, "I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me.”
He managed to lead Britain through World War II while working tirelessly, often holding late-night brainstorming sessions fueled by "bubbly" with his ministers and generals.
Ernest Hemingway was notorious for his excessive drinking habits, reportedly consuming up to three bottles of wine first thing in the morning, followed by an array of cocktails throughout the day including daiquiris, martinis, and various hard liquors.
He once drank 17 daiquiris in a single sitting at a Havana bar in 1942. His drinking habits ultimately contributed to his declining health and tragic death in 1961.
Edgar Allan Poe struggled with alcohol throughout his life, reportedly becoming intoxicated after just one glass of wine due to a possible hereditary inability to metabolize alcohol efficiently.
Some theories suggest Poe's death may have been related to a practice called "cooping," where gangs would kidnap and intoxicate victims, forcing them to vote multiple times in elections—though this remains unproven.
Vincent van Gogh was known to drink absinthe excessively, a potent liquor believed to cause hallucinations and delirium, which likely exacerbated his mental health issues and erratic behavior.
His drinking habits reached their peak while living in the Yellow House in Arles, where he engaged in eccentric behaviors such as painting outdoors at night with a candle on his hat.
He famously cut off a portion of his ear, ultimately leading to his expulsion from the town after residents signed a petition against him.
Alexander the Great was known for his heavy drinking habits, with historical accounts describing frequent lavish banquets where he would consume large quantities of unmixed wine.
In his final days, it is said that Alexander downed a large bowl of unmixed wine in honor of Heracles, which some historians believe may have contributed to his untimely death at the age of 32.
Ulysses S. Grant struggled with alcohol misuse throughout much of his military career, reportedly drinking to the point of sickness during his time at Fort Humboldt and even resigning his post as captain in 1854 after a severe drinking incident.
Despite these challenges, Grant fought against his addiction by joining temperance movements and enforcing sobriety pledges
He ultimately conquered his unhealthy alcohol use during his presidency and later life. His personal butler attested that he drank only in moderation in his final years.
Elizabeth Taylor struggled with alcohol addiction during her marriage to John Warner.
At her lowest point, she reportedly consumed massive quantities of Jack Daniels whiskey along with chili dogs.
During dinner parties was observed drinking countless bottles of champagne in a single sitting while binge eating multiple rich desserts.
F. Scott Fitzgerald struggled with severe alcoholism throughout his adult life, engaging in destructive binge drinking that led to numerous hospitalizations, arrests, and public embarrassments.
At one point during his attempts to taper off alcohol, he boasted of reducing his consumption to a staggering 37 beers per day, highlighting the extreme nature of his addiction.
Former President Boris Yeltsin was known for his heavy drinking throughout his political career, with numerous public incidents including appearing drunk during official events and allegedly being found on Pennsylvania Avenue in his underwear trying to hail a taxi for pizza.
His alcoholism became so problematic that in 1996, as his health deteriorated, he was forced to give up heavy drinking, though reports of alcohol-related behavior continued to surface occasionally in his later years as president.
Charles Bukowski's drinking habits were legendary, characterized by decades of heavy alcohol consumption that began in his youth and continued well into his later years.
He claimed he did all his writing while drunk.
At the height of his alcoholism, Bukowski was known to consume staggering amounts of liquor, reportedly drinking up to a fifth of whiskey daily—frequenting seedy bars across Los Angeles—and even continuing to drink while hospitalized for a bleeding ulcer, smuggling alcohol into his hospital room.
Dorothy Parker, renowned for her razor-sharp wit and prodigious drinking, once quipped "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy," showing her unapologetic attitude towards alcohol consumption.
Perhaps the most outrageous anecdote about her drinking habits involves her purportedly showing up to a party, downing an entire bottle of gin, and proceeding to deliver an impromptu, brilliantly scathing roast of everyone in attendance—all while remaining remarkably coherent and devastatingly funny.
W.C. Fields was renowned for his prodigious alcohol consumption both on and off screen, often arriving late to film sets, drinking on the job, and leaving early when his intoxication became too apparent.
Fields once had a clause written into his contract allowing his co-star Mae West to shut down production if she caught him drunk on set.
Though he reportedly continued to drink unabated throughout filming.
Hunter S. Thompson was notorious for his prodigious consumption of alcohol and drugs, often mixing substances like whiskey and drugs in extended binges that fueled his gonzo journalism.
Perhaps one of the most outrageous examples of his drinking habits was his daily routine, which reportedly began with narcotics and a Bloody Mary at 3 PM.
He continued with various substances throughout the night, including champagne, marijuana, more cocaine, and dropping acid around midnight.
Brendan Behan began drinking at the age of six, encouraged by his grandmother, and by adulthood claimed to consume between two and three bottles of whiskey a day, along with dozens of pints of beer or stout.
His alcoholism led to numerous public spectacles, including drunken television appearances, violent outbursts, and hospitalizations.
His habits ultimately contributed to his death at the young age of 41.
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