History’s Most Unexpected Friendships

People often imagine historical icons as individuals entirely consumed by their work, defined only by their big achievements. It’s a common picture: brilliant minds so busy breaking new ground that they barely had space for anything else, especially friendships. But history tells a different story.

Behind the famous discoveries, books, battles, and inventions, many of these well-known figures built meaningful relationships with others who were just as influential in their own fields. Some of these bonds grew slowly before fading as life pulled them in different directions, while others survived decades, long separations, and even clashing beliefs.

What makes these friendships especially interesting is how surprising many of them were. These people often came from completely different backgrounds, disciplines, and even social circles. Yet their paths crossed, and something clicked.

In many cases, these unexpected connections prompted them to view the world in new ways. A writer might find inspiration in a scientist’s curiosity; a political leader might learn patience from an artist; or a philosopher might sharpen their ideas through a lively exchange with an explorer. Even friendships between athletes and intellectuals weren’t as rare as one might think.

These relationships weren’t just casual acquaintances. They sometimes shaped ideas, sparked collaborations, or simply offered comfort during demanding periods of their lives.

We’ve gathered 21 pairs of historical figures whose friendships you might never have guessed existed. Their stories show that even the greatest minds needed companionship.

Ella Fitzgerald And Marilyn Monroe

Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe found success in the 1950s and formed a friendship shaped by shared hardships. Both came from difficult childhoods, which helped them connect on a deeper level.

Marilyn used her influence to open doors for Ella, helping her book high-end club performances she would’ve been denied due to racial barriers. Their bond remained strong until Monroe’s death in 1962.

Sara Kettler

Hunter S. Thompson And Pat Buchanan

Hunter S. Thompson, the rebellious journalist, and Pat Buchanan, the sharp-tongued conservative commentator, first crossed paths during Nixon’s 1972 campaign. Despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, they connected through blunt honesty and mutual respect.

By setting politics aside, they developed a surprisingly strong friendship and often praised one another for their candor and character.

Ann S. Epstein

Arthur Conan Doyle And Harry Houdini

Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, and legendary illusionist Harry Houdini formed an unexpected bond over their interest in spiritualism. But the same topic later pulled them apart.

During a séance led by Doyle’s wife, who claimed to be a medium, she produced 15 pages purportedly containing messages from Houdini’s late mother. Houdini immediately doubted the letters, knowing his mother barely wrote in English. His rejection of the séance’s authenticity strained their relationship and ultimately ended their friendship.

Lyn Gardner

Helen Keller And Mark Twain

Helen Keller met Mark Twain at a New York City party in 1895, when she was only 14, and he was in his 50s. Their age difference didn’t matter; they quickly connected through a shared love of humor and curiosity. Twain was so impressed by her determination that he helped secure financial support for her education at Radcliffe College.

Hadley Meares

Mary Todd Lincoln And Elizabeth Keckley

Mary Todd Lincoln formed a deep bond with her dressmaker, Elizabeth Keckley, a formerly enslaved woman who had earned her freedom. They supported each other through personal struggles and even worked side by side on Civil War charity efforts.

Their relationship later ended when Keckley published a memoir that shared private moments Mary believed should have stayed between them.

Wikipedia

J. R. R. Tolkien And C. S. Lewis

J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis built a strong literary bond during their years at Oxford. As members of the Inklings, they regularly exchanged ideas, critiqued each other’s work, and pushed one another to grow creatively. Their friendship shaped both of their writing journeys, and Tolkien even played a role in Lewis’s shift from atheism to Christianity.

Geneva Blog

John F. Kennedy And Frank Sinatra

John F. Kennedy and Frank Sinatra came from different worlds, politics and entertainment, yet they built a strong connection. Sinatra used his influence to rally support for Kennedy, even bringing in powerful figures like Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana to help sway union votes. But once Kennedy became president, their friendship faded, ending a remarkable behind-the-scenes alliance.

Tim Ott

Nikola Tesla And Mark Twain

Nikola Tesla and Mark Twain formed an unexpected bond in the 1890s. They traded letters, shared ideas, and grew to respect each other’s work. Twain loved exploring new inventions and was captivated by Tesla’s lab, while Tesla said Twain’s early writings helped him recover from a serious illness.

Paul Ratner

Samuel Beckett And André The Giant

André the Giant formed an unlikely bond with Irish playwright Samuel Beckett back in 1953. Beckett had become friends with André’s father, a local carpenter in France, and often offered André a ride to school since his truck was the only one spacious enough.

Those daily trips turned into warm conversations, creating a genuine friendship between the young wrestler and the celebrated writer.

Ann S. Epstein

Buster Keaton And Harry Houdini

Silent film legend Joseph Frank Keaton got his famous name thanks to illusionist Harry Houdini, who worked with Keaton’s father. During a visit, Houdini watched baby Joseph tumble down a flight of stairs and jokingly called him a “buster” for how easily he bounced back. The nickname stuck, and he grew up to become Buster Keaton.

Ann S. Epstein

Joe Louis And Max Schmeling

Joe Louis and Max Schmeling were famous boxing rivals in the 1930s, often portrayed as symbols of clashing nations and political ideologies. Louis was a rising American talent, while Schmeling, from Germany, held the heavyweight title.

Many people framed their fights as a battle between America and Nazi Germany, something both men strongly disliked.

Despite being separated during World War II, they reunited afterward and built a lasting friendship that outlived their careers and the politics that once surrounded them.

Duo Dickinson

Ulysses S. Grant And James Longstreet

Gen. James Longstreet and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant formed a rare friendship in American military history. They met as young cadets at West Point and stayed close, even though the Civil War placed them on opposing sides, Longstreet with the Confederacy and Grant with the Union. Despite the conflict, they rebuilt their connection once the war ended.

Grant Cottage

Prince And Muhammad Ali

Prince and Muhammad Ali became friends after meeting ahead of one of Ali’s charity events. Prince quickly agreed to join him in Washington to support the World Healing Project, and the two connected right away through mutual respect. Their friendship lasted until Prince’s death in April 2016, and Ali passed away just two months later.

BBC

Emily Dickinson And Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Emily Dickinson and author Thomas Wentworth Higginson met only twice, yet built a deep connection through years of letters. After she asked for his guidance on her poems, he became her mentor and steady supporter. Their correspondence continued until her death in 1886, and Higginson later helped share her work with the world, ensuring her poetry lived on.

Emily Dickinson Museum

T. S. Eliot And Groucho Marx

T.S. Eliot and Groucho Marx struck up an unlikely friendship in 1961 after Eliot sent the comedian a fan letter. They traded signed photos and stayed in touch through several letters before finally meeting in 1964. Their bond was friendly but often strained, mostly because they came from very different worlds.

One memorable disagreement centered on whether Eliot actually kept his promise to display Marx’s signed photo with the others in his home.

Lee Siegel

Martha Stewart And Snoop Dogg

Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg might look like an unlikely match, but their friendship took off the moment they met on her show in 2008. Their shared humor brought them together, and baking was just the beginning. Since then, they’ve teamed up on cooking shows, appeared on various programs, and even launched fun products together.

Elizabeth Logan

Colonel Sanders And J. Edgar Hoover

Colonel Sanders, the man behind KFC, tried to spark a friendship with FBI director J. Edgar Hoover by sending him friendly, admiring letters. He even invited Hoover to his 80th birthday celebration. Over time, these messages formed a 15-page FBI file on the Colonel.

Nick Desimone

Alexander Graham Bell And Helen Keller

Alexander Graham Bell is remembered for the telephone, but his impact went far beyond technology. In 1886, he helped bring Anne Sullivan into Helen Keller’s life and later created a fund so Helen could study at Radcliffe.

Their connection grew into a warm, almost family-like bond. Keller appreciated how he opened new possibilities for her, while Bell valued the way she drew public attention to the importance of deaf education.

David Blatty

Lucille Ball And Carol Burnett

Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett shared a bond shaped by humor, trust, and genuine support. They regularly guest-starred on each other’s shows, and Burnett often turned to Ball for advice as she worked her way through a male-dominated industry.

Burnett admired Ball’s confidence and strength, qualities that helped shape her own career. Their friendship lasted for decades, right up until Ball’s passing in 1989.

Matt Mullen

Bob Hope And Dwight D. Eisenhower

They first connected in 1943, when Hope performed for Eisenhower and his troops in Algiers. The two stayed close long after the war, even as Eisenhower rose to the presidency. They wrote letters, played golf, and their wives formed a strong bond as well.

Ann S. Epstein

Larry Flynt And Jerry Falwell

Larry Flynt, known for publishing adult content, and Jerry Falwell, a strict conservative preacher, built an unlikely connection that lasted for years. Their first encounter came through a lawsuit Falwell filed over a parody interview that made shocking claims about him. Once the case was over, they met again on the Larry King Show to promote their work, eventually teaming up for a series of college debates across the country.

Nicholas Goldberg

These unexpected friendships show that even history’s most accomplished figures relied on connection as much as talent. Their bonds offered support, new ideas, and perspective during defining moments of their lives.

By looking at these pairs, it becomes clear that success rarely happens in isolation and that meaningful relationships can form between people who seem completely different at first glance.