A recent viral post on social media claims to show the surprisingly common first jobs of several prominent world leaders. This information surprises many people.
It suggests that figures who now hold the highest offices once had very normal, or even unusual, early careers.
The post lists eight global figures, including Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Kamala Harris. It presents their alleged first professions.
This report uses public historical records and biographical data to check their accuracy and verify what the data suggests.
Donald Trump: Father’s Real Estate Company
Donald Trump started his career in the real estate business. He did not start his own company right away. He began working for his father’s real estate company, Trump Management. This happened after he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.
His initial tasks were very practical. He collected rent from tenants. He also performed minor repairs on the middle-class apartment buildings his father owned in New York City’s outer boroughs. He gained direct experience in property management and development.
Mr. Trump soon wanted to expand the business into glitzy Manhattan. His father preferred to stay in the outer boroughs. In 1971, Mr. Trump took over the company, eventually renaming it The Trump Organization. This early exposure to the family business laid the foundation for his later career as a famous developer and eventual presidency.
Kim Jong Un: Soldier
The data states Kim Jong Un was first a soldier. Information about the North Korean leader’s earliest life and career is very difficult to confirm. However, his rise to power was deeply connected to the military structure.
Kim Jong Un’s career developed through official appointments within the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and the Korean People’s Army. He officially became the successor to his father, Kim Jong Il. In 2010, he received his first major appointments to key party and military posts. This established him as a powerful figure within the nation’s security apparatus.
He quickly consolidated his positions. He was promoted to the rank of General. In 2012, he was named Marshal of the Korean People’s Army. This official military career provided the foundation of authority he uses today as the Supreme Leader of North Korea.
Pope Francis: Nightclub Bouncer
The claim that Pope Francis worked as a nightclub bouncer is true. Before he became a priest, the future Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, held various jobs in his native Argentina. He worked several odd jobs during his youth.
In addition to being a bouncer in a bar in Buenos Aires, he also worked as a chemical technician. He also spent time as a janitor. These early experiences gave him a unique perspective on life. They grounded him in the common struggles of working-class people.
Mr. Bergoglio was studying chemistry before he felt a strong calling to the church. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1958. His experiences as a young working man shaped his pastoral approach. His dedication to the poor and marginalized continues to define his papacy today.
Vladimir Putin: Secret Agent
Vladimir Putin began his career as a secret agent. This claim is accurate. He graduated from law school in 1975 and immediately joined the KGB, the Soviet Union’s main security agency.
Mr. Putin trained at the 401st KGB School in Leningrad. His first job was in the Second Chief Directorate, which focused on counterintelligence. He later monitored foreigners and consular officials in Leningrad. He was a devoted career intelligence officer.
His intelligence career continued for many years. He worked abroad in East Germany. He rose through the KGB ranks. After the Soviet Union dissolved, Mr. Putin transitioned into politics. He moved from security work to high political office, eventually becoming the President of Russia.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Comedian
Volodymyr Zelenskyy started his professional career as a comedian and entertainer. This career path is widely known and accurate. He graduated with a law degree. However, he never practiced law.
At age 17, he joined his local team in the popular KVN comedy competition. He later created and headed the successful comedy troupe Kvartal 95. This group produced many films, cartoons, and TV shows. His focus was always on entertainment and comedy.
His entertainment career peaked with the TV series Servant of the People. In this show, Mr. Zelenskyy played a fictional high-school teacher who unexpectedly becomes President of Ukraine. This role directly led to his successful political career. He ran for president in 2019 as a political outsider and won.
Kamala Harris: Prosecutor
Kamala Harris began her official legal career as a prosecutor. This is a correct description of her first career job after law school. She graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She earned her Juris Doctor in 1989.
Her first role was in the office of the District Attorney of Alameda County, California. She worked as a deputy district attorney, which means she was a prosecutor. She prosecuted cases for seven years in this role. Her early career was fully dedicated to the legal justice system.
Ms. Harris continued to advance in her legal and political life. She became District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. She then became Attorney General of California in 2010. Her experience as a prosecutor became a major platform for her later political campaigns and eventual election as Vice President of the United States.
Emmanuel Macron: Banker
Emmanuel Macron is listed as having been a banker. This is an important part of his career. However, his first public service job was different. After graduating from the prestigious École Nationale d’Administration in 2004, he became an Inspector of Finances. This was his first official role.
Mr. Macron later became an investment banker. He worked for Rothschild & Cie Banque from 2008 to 2012. In this role, he was a key advisor. He was successful and earned a significant amount of money during his time there.
This banking experience was brief but very influential. He used this experience as a springboard into high-level politics. He became an advisor to President François Hollande. He then served as the Minister of Economics. This progression led directly to his election as the President of France.
Giorgia Meloni: Waitress
Giorgia Meloni is said to have worked as a waitress. She held several modest jobs during her youth while she was also building her political career. She also worked as a bartender in Rome.
However, her focus on politics began very early. She became involved in youth politics at age 15. She joined the Youth Front, a political youth wing. This was the start of her political development.
Her early political service quickly escalated. She was elected as a councilor of the Province of Rome at age 21. She was elected as a member of parliament at age 29. She became Italy’s youngest minister in 2008.
