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Surprising jobs of world leaders past and present

Early jobs of top politicians
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s former prime minister: Cruise ship singer
Johanna Sigurdardottir, Iceland’s former prime minister: Flight attendant
Michael Higgins, President of Ireland: Waiter
Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela: Bus driver
Adama Barrow, President of the Gambia: Shop security guard
Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian prime minister: Street cleaner
Tony Abbott, former Australian prime minister: A trainee priest
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Liberian president: Drugstore clerk
Tabaré Vázquez, former President of Uruguay: Oncologist
Nicolas Sarkozy, former French President: Cleaner
Pope Francis, Leader of the Catholic church: Nightclub bouncer
Justin Trudeau, Canadian prime minister: Bouncer
Stephen Harper, former Canadian prime minister: Mailroom assistant
Dalia Grybauskaitė, former President of Lithuania: Factory worker
Boiko Borisov, Bulgarian prime minister: Personal bodyguard
Edi Rama, Albanian prime minister: Painter
Donald Trump, former US president: Collecting bottles
Barack Obama, former US president: Ice cream scooper at Baskin Robbins
Traian Basescu, former president of Romania: Marine officer
Khaltmaagiin Battulga, President of Mongolia: Wrestler
Andry Rajoelina, former president of Madagascar: DJ
Borut Pahor, Slovenian president: Male model
Recep Erdoğan, Turkish president: Lemonade seller
Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany: Barmaid
Jens Stoltenberg, former Norwegian prime minister: Part-time journalist
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Turkmenistan’s president: Dentist to his predecessor
Jimmy Morales, Former President of Guatemala: Comedian
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine: Comedian
Donald Tusk, former president of the European Council: Chimney painter
George Weah, President of Liberia: Soccer player
Ivo Josipovic, former President of Croatia: Composer
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK: Journalist
Vladimir Putin, Russian president: Agent for KGB
Joe Biden, President of the United States: Maintenance work
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Nikolay Androsov/Shutterstock

Early jobs of top politicians

Everyone’s got to start somewhere, even world leaders. Yet you might be surprised by the variety of first jobs held by these prolific politicians – from comedians to composers, bus drivers to bouncers. Read on to discover some of the most unexpected first roles of world leaders.
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lovemoney staff

14 December 2021

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