41 Stories Of People Who Successfully Achieved Revenge By Ascending To Greatness
Discover the incredible journeys of people who triumphed through personal growth and greatness.
Brendan Fraser’s comeback hits like a mic drop, not because he got everything handed to him, but because Hollywood tried to erase him for years. And somehow, the Oscar still found him. That’s the vibe these stories carry, revenge by climbing higher instead of swinging back.
Take Ron McNair too, a kid getting kicked out of a library for being Black, then having the police called on him just for reading. The situation is brutal and deeply unfair, and it gets more complicated because the “punishment” doesn’t just follow him, it tries to define him. Then he grows up to become an astronaut, and the library he was banned from gets renamed after him.
Even the family story about the dirt-poor mom who chose college over the path everyone expected feels like the same kind of win, quietly ruthless in its own way.
Brendan Fraser gets awarded an Oscar even after being blacklisted.
Brendan Fraser getting the Oscar this year after being black listed from Hollywood for over a decade for speaking out about being sexually assaulted.
Physical-Ant-1036Ron McNair was once a kid kicked out of a library for being black.
Ron McNair had the police called on him when he was little because he was black and reading in a library. He grew up to be an astronaut and the library he was kicked out of was later named after him.
sperdushThe narratives presented in this article highlight a profound truth about the interplay between revenge and personal development. Each story illustrates how individuals chose to channel their pain into self-improvement rather than retaliation. The common thread among these accounts is that pursuing greatness not only serves as a form of empowerment but also acts as a shield against the corrosive effects of negativity. Instead of allowing past grievances to dictate their paths, these individuals redirected their energy towards personal growth, ultimately achieving fulfillment and satisfaction. This journey towards self-enhancement proves to be a more rewarding response to unfair treatment, suggesting that true strength lies in resilience and the pursuit of one's own potential.
Mother sets a good example within the family.
My mom. She, like the rest of her family, were all dirt poor. For them, it was traditional that they wouldn't go to college and would instead focus on finding a decent at best job as quickly as possible while also getting married and starting families young.My mom was different. She decided instead to go to college and while she did drink on occasion, she stayed clear of the drugs that had ruined so many of her cousins lives.She told me that her entire family looked down on her and said that she was wasting her time. Well now she is currently the only one who owns a house and has a stable, well paying career.My generation of cousins saw her success and are now following in her footsteps.
anon
Tina Turner's success.
Tina Turner. She got away from an abusive husband with virtually no assets and went on to become a solo superstar!
AceTygraQueen, By Helge Øverås - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
The quest for revenge frequently springs from deep-seated feelings of injustice and betrayal. In the stories presented, individuals grapple with these emotions, yet they ultimately choose to channel that energy into personal growth rather than retaliation. This shift in focus illustrates a critical turning point; while the allure of revenge can offer a fleeting sense of satisfaction, the true journey toward greatness lies in overcoming adversity and achieving personal fulfillment.
Many of the narratives reveal that the initial desire for retribution may feel justified, but the long-term consequences often lead to emotional turmoil. Instead of being consumed by negativity, these individuals demonstrate that redirecting energy toward self-improvement not only empowers them but also creates a more meaningful and positive resolution to their struggles.
How the Lamborghini came to be.
Italian industrialist, builder of tractors, made a mint out of it and rewarded himself with a new Ferrari.Ferrari broke down. Needed a new clutch.Wealthy industrialist waited patiently for his new clutch to arrive, and after many weeks it finally showed up - same clutch he was putting in his tractors, more than twice the price.A little bit annoyed at this, he rang Ferrari to complain. They told him "go back to building tractors, leave supercars to us."And Lamborghini was born...
RaffiaWorkBase
Lady Gaga proving her skeptic ex-classmates wrong.
When Lady GaGa was in college, some of her classmates had a Facebook group called "Stefani Germanotta, you'll never be famous".Pretty sure she proved them wrong.
NotHisRealName
Many who seek revenge may be attempting to regain a sense of control over their lives after experiencing betrayal or injustice.
Studies suggest that channeling feelings into constructive pursuits, such as creative projects or physical activities, can facilitate emotional healing and growth.
Michael J. Fox proved doubters wrong, one lunch box at a time!
Michael J.Fox has a great story about when he started out. Some big wheel at the network didn't like him for the role of Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties.He was too short, not cute, not heart throb enough, you're never going to see his face on a lunch box. But the producer cast him anyway and the show shot to number one and stayed there.Fox sent him a Family Ties lunch box with his face on it and then Back to the Future 1,2,3 lunch boxes.
Hazelsmom64
Some teachers do not deserve to be called educators.
My teachers, I had several that said I would never do anything, that my learning disability was to massive of a hindrance.Im graduating from grad school.in August. With a specialty in helping special Ed kids
hotsizzler
Brendan Fraser’s Oscar moment after being blacklisted is the first reminder that Hollywood’s cruelty didn’t get the final word.
Interestingly, studies indicate that individuals who choose personal growth over revenge often report higher levels of well-being.
This shift in focus can lead to more fulfilling life experiences and stronger relationships, ultimately fostering a sense of empowerment.
John Gurdon, a Nobel Laureate, had a headmaster who believed he'd be wasting people time by studying Science.
John Gurdon was sent home from school with a report card , and on that report card was a note to his parents from the headmaster pleading with them to not let him go into the science field to waste anyone's time. “Several times he has been in trouble, because he will not listen, but will insist on doing his work in his own way. I believe he has ideas about becoming a Scientist; on his present showing this is quite ridiculous. It would be a sheer waste of time, both on his part and of those who have to teach him.” is what the report card said.Today, That report card is the only thing he has framed in his office, which is in a building that is now been named after him, after the many contributions to nuclear transplantation and cloning. He also has a nobel prize.Also he has been knighted. He has received many honors and awards in addition.......And the only thing he has framed is that report card telling him not to waste anyone's time by trying science.
mediumokra
Good riddance.
A very personal one. My ex was very abusive.He tried to get me to think I "am not mentally capable" of living without him (I'm disabled, but I always tested at a genius level and did decently well at work and school).So now he's gone, and I'm furthering my career and absolutely thriving.
luminous_sludge, sydaproductions via canva.com
Transformative Experiences Through Adversity
Adversity can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth.
Shark Tank ignored Ring cameras. Amazon, on the other hand, acquired it for for more than a billion dollars.
The guy who invented Ring cameras went on Shark Tank and was rejected by everyone. They all thought it would fail….we’ll you know the rest
Ruzzthabus
George Lucas' galactic gold.
George Lucas got the ownership of the toy rights to star wars because they don’t think it would be successful. He made an absolute killing on those.
Birds-aint-real-
Transforming Pain into Purpose
Transforming negative experiences into opportunities for growth is a key aspect of emotional resilience.
Sylvester Stallone proves critics wrong.
Sylvester Stallone as well. Casting agents told him he was too stupid looking and he'd only get small roles as the thug who got beaten up. He said he literally went to every casting agent in NYC and got rejected by all of them.Even after he wrote Rocky and found producers, they didn't want him to star in it.
YounomsayinMawfk
What goes around comes around.
I worked as CFO for a private company, and after 5 years of poor ownership and family-meddling I was let go with no notice or severance, while they owed me tens of thousands of dollars in back-pay, expenses, revenue share etc.I was on the verge of bankruptcy. I won my lawsuit and have a judgement against him and his company which I know I will never collect on.7 years later I started my own company in the same competitive space. Following his most recent divorce he's about 2.7 million in debt. My company was just valued at 100 million as we move into our 4th year.
HighQ403
Ron McNair being kicked out of the library, then having police called on him, is where the “revenge” starts looking like survival.
To harness the potential for growth, individuals are encouraged to engage in reflective practices, such as journaling or therapy, to process their experiences.
By focusing on personal growth, individuals can reframe their narratives from one of revenge to one of empowerment.
Jennifer Hudson's success surpassed her rival's.
Jennifer Hudson lost American Idol and became more successful than the winner.
Stashdragon
A sophisticated way to throw shade.
Julie Andrews was very popular as Eliza Doolittle in the stage version of *My Fair Lady*. However, when the film version was being developed, the head of Warner Bros. Studios, Jack Warner, decided that she wasn't well-known enough. They wanted a big-name star in the role, so Audrey Hepburn was cast instead, despite needing her singing to be dubbed over.With the role no longer available, Andrews was instead took on the role of the titular character in *Mary Poppins*. The film was a **huge** critical and commercial success, and earned Andrews both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her performance as the magical nanny.In her Golden Globe acceptance speech, Andrews referenced her snub for *My Fair Lady*, saying: "My thanks to a man who made a wonderful movie and who made all this possible in the first place, Mr. Jack Warner.”
FlashpointJ24, By Richard Maney/Photo by Friedman-Abeles, NYC - eBayfrontback, Public Domain
To facilitate this transformation, psychologists recommend engaging in reflective practices such as journaling or therapy. These activities can help individuals process their emotions and identify lessons learned from painful experiences.
Research shows that reflective practices can enhance emotional intelligence and lead to healthier coping strategies, ultimately empowering individuals to rise above their challenges.
It also matches the friend who misused business funds and still wanted money.
We wonder how those professors reacted after receiving each award.
Harlan Ellison sent every writing award he received to one of his old professors that said he'd never be successful.
DD-Form-214
After she heals, she's ready for the world.
Using my throwaway for this.Been with my partner for 10 years. 10 years of gaslighting, being told that I am forgetful, pathetic and not going to ever be successful. My kids (not his) are now grown up, and at 50 I was diagnosed with ADHD and now being assessed for autism. That same year I achieved my Masters degree, and got myself medicated, and worked hard with my kids to help them onto their life paths as they became adults. This was over the last couple of years.Little does my partner know, that I am about to kick his gaslighting, narcissistic self out and while I am now verging on poverty, having been manipulated to give up my career to support him and my kids (as he, apparently, couldn't take on any of the emotional or practical roles to assist) I can assure you, dear strangers of reddit, that in a years time I will be successful and happier than I've ever been.Proving Sinatra right.
atleastthedogsareok, instaphotos via canva.com
Forgiveness is a crucial component of transcending the desire for revenge.
The Beatles hold the record for being the most successful act in the history of the US Billboard charts.
"Groups of guitars are on the way out,” a recording executive at Decca told the Beatles in 1962. “We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out.”
Klotzster
Achieving success in the culinary world after a failed marriage.
Erin French, chef-owner of restaurant *The Lost Kitchen* in rural Maine.
Co-owned a restaurant in the town of Belfast with her husband; a very tumultuous relationship ended with him changing the locks on the building with all of her equipment inside.
She licked her wounds, leased space in an old mill building in her tiny hometown of Freedom, and built from the ground one of the best restaurants in the country, with a coveted reservation that is fabled for its difficulty to get a table.
Has her own multi-season documentary on TV and is absolutely killing it in the culinary world now.
Girhinomofe
Having a strong support system is crucial for individuals seeking personal growth after a difficult experience.
Building relationships with empathetic friends or mentors can provide the encouragement needed to pursue personal development and overcome feelings of resentment.
She doesn't need a rich man to be successful.
I was told my place as a woman was to marry a rich man and have kids. I’m now the first person in my family to have a degree and they sing a different tune.
dragonborne123, Stanley Morales via Pexels
Look at Netflix's success today.
Blockbuster laughed baby Netflix out of the room with their idea. Then later, grown-up Netflix killed blockbuster.
ChurroForSure-o
The library being renamed after Ron McNair turns the whole situation into a scoreboard no one can argue with.
To cultivate a forgiving mindset, psychologists recommend mindfulness practices that promote awareness of one's emotions and foster empathy towards others. Engaging in mindfulness can help individuals process their feelings about betrayal and develop a more compassionate perspective.
Research highlights that those who practice mindfulness are better equipped to let go of grudges and focus on their own growth and happiness.
From betrayal to newfound happy ever after.
My ex was going to divorce me after I retired to try and get a percentage of my retirement pay. Evidently this had been a plan for a while.
Her best friend sent me screenshots of her plan and I used it for my divorce. She got nothing, I'm happily married to my best friend, financially stable, with all the free time I could want.
PanoptiDon
Woman wins over her sister who's a design thief.
My wife has one, she started an embroidery business and started to have success, her sister decided to buy a machine and steal all of her designs to make a quick buck. Obviously pissed my wife off.Well less than a year later her sisters shop gets 1 order a month and is basically dead. My wife’s shop gets 150 orders a day, has two employees and makes 100k/month.
rtothewin, gettyimages via canva.com
Moreover, engaging in community service or volunteer work can also facilitate personal growth. Research from the Journal of Community Psychology has shown that helping others can lead to increased feelings of fulfillment and purpose, effectively counteracting the desire for revenge.
By shifting focus from personal grievances to community well-being, individuals can foster a sense of belonging and connection.
When a rival unintentionally sets the stage for your masterpiece.
Well, Michelangelo's rival was the one that recommended him to paint the Sistine Chapel, because Michelangelo was a sculptor, not a painter, and he thought that our boy would fail hard at painting the ceiling.... and uh. Well. *laughs a*s off.*
LadyLochwood
Uncle's push propelled youngster to success.
When I was 13 my uncle called me an ungrateful little Bi*** and said I will amount to nothing, be a little sl*t and proceeded to push me against a door that had a nail sticking out which stuck into my back. Many years later, I completed college, worked my way to a government career, bought a home, didn’t fall into the trap of having several kids and being on welfare like most of my family. He literally pushed me into success.
RoundKaleidoscope244
Strategies for Moving Forward
To move toward growth rather than revenge, individuals can adopt various strategies. For instance, setting personal goals focused on self-improvement can provide a constructive outlet for pent-up emotions.
It's disheartening that some teachers serve as the greatest sources of discouragement.
The band Lynard Skynard named themselves after a teacher named Leonard Skinner who told them they wouldn't amount to anything.
bent-ref, By Selbymay - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Silent revenge on a "friend."
When I was at university I had a friend who had a spare car parking space under his apartments, and as parking was difficult to find in the area I asked if I could park there and he said yes, so I did, for about a month until he told me to move it on Tuesday (tomorrow) as he was going to rent it out to someone. I told him I wasn't around until Wednesday morning, we had some sort of text argument but I literally said thank you, i'll be happy to pay how much you want for the day but I'm not physically back within 24 hours.Anyway, I get back Wednesday morning, and i've got a flat tyre. I was young, I thought it was just an abnormal thing, so I pump it up and drive off, and while travelling at 60mph lose the steering and nearly crash.Tyres flat again, it's got a puncture wound. He's clearly put a screwdriver through my tyre, so an AA callout and £150 later the tyres changed and i'm fuming.Cut to 6 months later, I didn't say anything to him (whats to say?), and there's a party at his one bedroom flat and i've been invited, weird but okay. We turn up, i'm enthusiastic to see him, neither of us bring up the car, I feel like he thinks he got away with it, that I don't know it was him. (I was told by a friend after the incident that he did do it).As the party is in full swing, I stole his microwave glass tray, his oven metal grill from inside the oven, I stole at least 4 left shoes, I took the power cable to his wifi router, and I took the plastic stop c**k from inside his toilets cistern just before we left. It was a massively successful revenge.Apparently he was complaining to mutual friends for months, I never told anyone about it, I just nodded my head and said "oh thats a shame".
Naamibro, gettysignature via canva.com
In this game of life, triumph often emerges from unexpected turns. From rejection to redemption, setbacks propel us forward, shaping our stories.
We need resilience and determination to rewrite our tales, seizing victory despite the odds. Do you know someone who needs to be inspired?
Go ahead and share this post!
If only people were nicer.
One of my best friends in college was unpopular. The guys on my floor thought he was a dork and dismissed him. Five years after graduating he joined a dot-com as employee number 3. As the company grew he hired his friends, me included. Ten years after graduation he retired on his dot-com wealth. I love reconnecting with people from college and letting them know that RB retired at 35. The subtext is that if they’d been nicer to him they could have made millions.
LocalInactivist, gettyimages via canva.com
The teacher thought the guy addicted to Halo 2 would end up flipping burgers, but he found success in streaming instead.
Guy in my class in middle school was always sleeping from staying up late playing Halo 2. He was really good, like travel to tournaments and win them on weekends good.The teacher said “enjoy your video games now because you’ll be flipping burgers for life”.He bought himself and his parents houses at 19 from youtube/streaming money.
acnickel
How Desilu was born.
Lucille Ball auditioned for the part of Scarlet O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind." After getting rejected by the studio producer, she met Desi Arnaz and became one of the most influential stars in the world.
THE REVENGE: She founded her company Desilu and set up shop in the same office the producer rejected her in.
BEdwinSounds, By CBS Television - Flickr and Doctor Macro, Public Domain
When opportunity closed one door, Ford opened another, dominating Le Mans and rewriting history.
In the 1960s, Ford wanted to buy Ferrari. Just before they closed the deal, Ferrari slammed the door on them and let themselves be bought by Fiat.
Ford, then, designed an entirely new supercar, beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of LeMans from 1966-1969, and Ferrari hasn't won that race since against any other car manufacturer.
And for the icing on the cake, 50 years later, Ford entered again after not competing since the 70s, and won again
Project_T00THL355
Who has the last laugh now?
I used to be a forensic scientist until I had to leave because of an abusive boss. I changed careers and now I make more money than he does and I am valued by my new boss and team.
PirateJohn75
Youngster defies their parents' label.
Moved out of my abusive mother's and stepdad house at 18. Had my own apartment at 18, bought my own house at 21. They kept telling everyone I was a drug addict 😂😂😂
Defiant_Chapter_3299, SHVETS production via Pexels
Carol Burnett's journey to break TV barriers.
Carol Burnett , her star placement on the walk of fame or the TV executive that tried to keep her from hosting her show because Variety Shows is a “ mans job “ .
crowman006, By CBS Television - eBay itemphoto frontphoto back, Public Domain
Man gets dumped for his heritage. His revenge? Refusing ex's pleas for reconciliation.
My story: I dated a girl in college who seemed perfect. Gorgeous, sweet, smart, really really rich, and killer in bed.After two years together and me basically becoming part of her family she abruptly broke up with me and told me flat out that she couldn’t see us together long term because she had a family and social network that would never accept her marrying someone outside of their social class and, I suspect, racial group (I’m hispanic and she was white).I never got that impression from anyone in her family or our friends group so it was a complete shock which I did not take well at the time, but as I was firmly in the group I kept in contact with most of her family and our by then joint social group.Very shortly after we broke up she was dating a lacrosse player from our school who was the prototypical J Crew model; tall, blonde handsome af and of course, very well off. Our friends knew it was a bad breakup on my end and would always tell me how big of an idiot she was but whatever, it just sucked a*s for a while.Long story short I struggled, but eventually moved on, graduated and began my career which started slow but ramped up after 5-7 years to the point where I was rubbing elbows with her dad and his social buddies on a frequent basis, and they were always totally cool with me.By then she wanted me back, but by that time I was engaged to my now wife and it was a complete non starter.All in all, that was 18 years ago, I am now quite successful both in career and finances, married with two great kids, and she’s a two time divorcee who desperately wants kids but can’t have them (abortion complications from said J Crew relationship) and struggles financially while living at home.When she came crawling back it certainly felt like revenge to turn her down, but at this point it’s more me feeling bad that she never found happiness or at least not yet (we’re in our early 40s now).
gdirrty216, peopleimages-yuriarcurs via canva.com
DreamWorks' ugly stepchild.
Working on the Shrek movie was a massiv punishment as executives didnt believe in it and would shrek underperforming Animators.
Nimar_Jenkins, africa-image via canva.com
Sony and Nintendo's bitter fallout led to a game-changing rivalry that shaped the gaming industry forever.
Sony and Nintendo were working on a console together before the N64 came out, intending to utilize Nintendo's gaming hardware combined with Sony's sound tech to create games with more immersive sound capabilities than have been seen before. Partway through development and immediately following Sony's announcement of their partnership, Nintendo backed out of the deal, which if you're not aware of Japanese business etiquette, is kind of a d**k move.Nintendo backed out to work with Philips to put Nintendo games on the CDi, which resulted in the worst-received Nintendo games of all time. Sony, out of spite, went on to make the PlayStation, one of the best-selling consoles in gaming history, and cement themselves as a massive player in the console wars to this day.
Critical-String8774
A "f**k you money" on a whole new level.
There was a multi-millionaire, like $100s of millions-aire, from where I am from that applied for membership at a country club was turned away because of some random rich country club rule. Anyway a few years later the country club was wanting to expand its golf course and was going to buy up the neighboring properties.
This guy decided to go ahead and outbid the country club and buy up the properties himself. He turned into your generic McMansion suburbia, but still. That's the sort of passive-aggressive f**k you money I one day hope to have.
slytherinprolly
Sweet victory.
My wife is always talking s**t about how good she is at candy land. When our daughter was old enough to play we bought the game and I won 4 games in a row.
I’ve never done m**h but I imagine that is what that rush feels like.
GarethMagis
Sports commentators were dead wrong.
Sports commentators criticized Lamar Jackson for holding on the Ravens and said that he’d never be able to get a deal done without an agent. As of a few hours ago, he signed a new contract worth $260 million. He’s now the highest paid player in NFL history.
Intelligent-Mess-145
Meanwhile, OP’s mom ignoring the family script and going to college makes the same point, she didn’t retaliate, she outgrew them.
The narratives presented in this collection illustrate a profound shift from the desire for revenge to a path of personal growth. Each story serves as a testament to the resilience that individuals can harness when faced with adversity. Rather than succumbing to negativity, many have chosen to channel their experiences into opportunities for self-improvement and empowerment.
This journey is not merely about overcoming past hurts but about transforming them into a driving force for success. By creating supportive environments and engaging in reflective practices, these individuals have turned their struggles into stepping stones, ultimately achieving greater fulfillment and redefining their lives.
The stories of individuals who have turned their pain into power highlight a critical lesson: the pursuit of revenge can be a tempting distraction from the essential journey of personal growth. Rather than getting lost in the bitterness that often accompanies feelings of unfair treatment, these narratives showcase how focusing on self-improvement fosters emotional satisfaction and cultivates healthier relationships.
By embracing and learning from their adversities, these individuals illustrate how transformative experiences can evolve into powerful tales of resilience. Their journeys affirm that true greatness is achieved not through vengeance but through the strength of rising above challenges and using them as stepping stones towards personal empowerment.
That’s the common thread, they didn’t get even, they got better where it hurt most.
For more revenge-at-work energy, read what happened when coworkers took credit for my recipes, and I refused.
