The 20 "Kindest" People in History

Few people have devoted themselves as fully to their cause as Gandhi. Known above all for liberating India through nonviolent civil disobedience, he showed the entire world that weapons are not the only way to fight oppression. Gandhi led a simple life in order to serve as a role model for others.

This devoted woman spent decades in the slums of Calcutta caring for the “poorest of the poor,” who had nowhere else to go. She founded the Missionaries of Charity to run shelters for terminally ill patients with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, whom society had largely abandoned. Although she faced considerable criticism, her hands-on approach to helping the sick remains a powerful symbol of humanitarian action.

King is inextricably linked to the civil rights movement. Through his moving speeches and peaceful marches, he showed America what systemic racism is. In his dreams, he envisioned a world where people would be judged by their character, not by the color of their skin.

After spending twenty-seven years in prison for his activism, he emerged not driven by a desire for revenge, but with a vision for national reconciliation. As South Africa’s first Black president, he worked tirelessly to dismantle the legacy of apartheid and bring a divided country together. It would be difficult to find a better example of someone who was able to transform his personal suffering into a force for world peace.

Modern nursing would not be what it is today without the tireless efforts of the “Lady with the Lamp” during the Crimean War. She profoundly transformed the way hospitals operated. Her evidence-based approach to healthcare saved countless lives and professionalized a field that had previously been neglected.

At the risk of her own freedom, she helped slaves escape to safety dozens of times through the underground network known as the “Underground Railroad.” One cannot help but admire her incredible courage, especially since she never lost a single “passenger” during her many rescue missions.

This theologian, musician, and doctor is best known for having run his own hospital in Africa. He spent most of his life there caring for the sick and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for leading a life dedicated to “respect for life.” His dedication to serving humanity in remote regions has inspired many other healthcare professionals to volunteer their skills to help people around the world.

Although he started out as an opportunistic businessman, he ended up spending his entire fortune to save more than a thousand Jewish lives during the Holocaust. By employing them in his factories, he protected them from the Nazi regime. Sometimes, people can surprise you with their capacity to do good.

Addams founded Hull House in Chicago and is considered a pioneer in social work. She did much more than simply help poor immigrants find work. She campaigned for child labor laws, public health regulations, and women’s suffrage.

This Swedish architect and diplomat saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews during World War II by issuing them protective passports and providing them with shelter on Swedish soil. He often went to train stations to rescue people from transport cars bound for concentration camps, risking his own life in the process. His mysterious disappearance at the end of the war only serves to underscore the tragic heroism of his incredible life.

Mr. Rogers, that kind neighbor, taught generations of children how to manage their emotions and treat others with respect. During his testimony before the U.S. Senate, he championed public television, arguing that children deserved programming they enjoyed. Seeing the sincerity with which he interacted with children makes one want to believe that there is still good in this world.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu dedicated his life to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. After the regime was abolished, he chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was tasked with shedding light on human rights violations. Like his namesake, Tutu had a gift for making people laugh and bringing a smile to the faces of everyone around him.

Few political figures have been able to leverage their influence the way Roosevelt did. As First Lady, she established herself as a leading political figure and human rights activist. Not only did she champion civil rights and women’s rights, but she also helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

By developing the first effective polio vaccine, Salk could have patented it and made billions. But he believed that people should not have to pay to protect their children from a debilitating disease. It is thanks to Salk that human life is considered priceless.

While working as a social worker in Warsaw, she smuggled thousands of Jewish children out of the ghetto and provided them with false identification papers to ensure their safety. She kept a secret list of their real names in jars buried in her garden. Even after being arrested by the Gestapo, she refused to reveal any information about the children or her accomplices.

Often regarded as the father of the “Green Revolution,” his agricultural research led to the development of high-yield crops that helped avert a global famine. According to some estimates, his work saved more than a billion people from starvation in developing countries. It is rare to find a scientist whose discoveries have had such a direct and significant impact on the survival of humanity.

Best known for founding the American Red Cross, Barton began her work by bringing supplies to soldiers during the Civil War. She was able to overcome bureaucratic obstacles to ensure that people received aid during natural disasters and wars. This courageous woman showed America that a single person could create an organization that serves millions of people.

A brilliant strategist, he was the principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, even though he faced discrimination because of his open homosexuality. He introduced Martin Luther King Jr. to the principles of nonviolence and worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of the civil rights movement. His life story shows that you don’t always have to be in the spotlight to be a hero.

From HIV/AIDS to landmines, Diana didn’t hesitate to address issues that other members of the royal family avoided. We particularly remember that famous handshake she shared with an AIDS patient without gloves, thereby humanizing a disease that frightened many people. Diana cared about people on a human level, and that is why she became the “people’s princess.”

By refusing to give up her seat on that bus, Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. One woman decided to take a stand, and countless others followed her lead. It is to Rosa Parks that you owe every peaceful demonstration you have witnessed since that historic day.