Migraines have long plagued some of the most brilliant minds, talented artists, and elite athletes throughout history. From rulers and philosophers to musicians and sports legends, this condition knows no boundaries. While migraines can be debilitating, the experiences of these remarkable individuals remind us that perseverance, creativity, and resilience can thrive despite chronic pain.
The Politicians
Roman dictator Julius Caesar and French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte suffered from migraine, as did Queen Elizabeth I and II, and King Henry VIII. U.S. president and principal author of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson. and both Robert E. Lee, Commander-in-Chief of Confederate armies during the American Civil War, and Ulysses S. Grant, the Union general who overcame Lee’s troops and went on to become U.S. president also suffered from migraine.
The Writers
Migraine has influenced the work of many writers, among them Lewis Carroll, Virginia Woolf, and Miguel de Cervantes. Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found may have been drawn from the feelings of bodily distortion and light sensitivity and auras experienced by some people with migraine.
Han Kang: The Nobel Prize-winning South Korean novelist, known for works like “The Vegetarian,” has suffered from debilitating migraines since childhood. She has described experiencing “extreme mental and physical pain” while writing, noting that her migraines have given her the humility and empathy essential to her writing.
Siri Hustvedt: The acclaimed author has written about her migraine experiences, detailing symptoms such as visual hallucinations and sensory disturbances. She describes sensations like “fogs and gray spots” and a feeling of a “heavy cloud” in her head, which have influenced her creative process.
Oliver Mol: The Australian writer endured a continuous 10-month migraine that left him in a state of “catatonic panic.” This profound experience significantly impacted his life and work, leading him to explore the depths of chronic pain in his writing.
These authors, among others, have provided valuable insights into the intersection of creativity and chronic pain, highlighting the profound impact migraines can have on the creative process.
The Painters
Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh is reputed to have suffered from severe migraines. Some speculate that his strokes of pure color were inspired by visual disturbances from migraine auras. Van Gogh’s works includes some of the most acclaimed paintings ever created – Sunflowers, Irises and The Night Café.
Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986), the American modernist painter experienced severe migraines, which often forced her to take breaks from painting. Some art critics speculate that her abstract, soft-edged floral paintings may have been inspired by scotomas (blind spots) and visual distortions caused by migraines.
The Thinkers
Philosophers throughout history have often engaged with pain and suffering, sometimes integrating their personal experiences with migraines into their work on perception, reality, and consciousness.
Sigmund Freud, the “Father of Psychoanalysis,” is thought to have suffered from migraine. Freud’s radical views challenged 20th century society’s view of itself and the world with his provocative theories on the psychology of human sexuality and dream interpretation.
The German philosopher and poet Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 19th century, was also plagued by migraines throughout his life. His frequent attacks, accompanied by nausea and vision problems, often left him bedridden for days. Nietzsche’s struggles with chronic illness are reflected in his existential and introspective works, such as Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Beyond Good and Evil.
Siri Hustvedt a contemporary philosopher and writer, has openly discussed her experiences with migraine, including aura-related hallucinations and sensory distortions. She explores the link between neurological phenomena and perception in works like The Shaking Woman or A History of My Nerves.
Oliver Sacks (1933–2015) suffered from migraine and experienced auras and scotomas (visual disturbances) and altered perceptions which he described in both scientific and autobiographical contexts. Though primarily known as a neurologist and author, Sacks had a philosophical approach to neuroscience and wrote extensively about migraines in his book Migraine (1970).
He explored how the condition influences perception and consciousness. In Migraine, Sacks documented different types of migraines and their connections to art, perception, and consciousness, influencing both medical research and philosophical discussions on the mind-body relationship.
Entertainers
Lady Gaga: Diagnosed with migraines at 14, the singer and actress has described the debilitating impact they’ve had on her life and career.
Ben Affleck: The actor and director was hospitalized due to a severe migraine while directing “Gone Baby Gone,” attributing the episode to stress and lack of sleep.
Marcia Cross: The “Desperate Housewives” actress has been vocal about her struggles with migraines, advocating for greater awareness and understanding of the condition.
Carly Simon: The renowned singer-songwriter has dealt with migraines throughout her life, often finding that stress and certain foods can trigger episodes.
Kristin Chenoweth: The actress and singer experiences vestibular migraines, which include vertigo and sensitivity to light. She has found relief through treatments like Botox.
Lisa Kudrow: Known for her role in “Friends,” Kudrow has a family history of migraines and has been involved in research on the condition.
Athletes
Serena Williams: The tennis champion has experienced migraines since her 20s and has spoken about the challenges of managing them during her career.
Aly Raisman: The Olympic gymnast has shared her struggles with migraines, noting that she often pushed through the pain during training and competitions.
Ryan Murphy: A two-time Olympian and world-record-holding swimmer, Murphy has been open about his struggles with migraines, particularly during high-stress periods like Olympic trials.
Terrell Davis: The Pro Football Hall of Fame running back experienced a debilitating migraine during Super Bowl XXXII, which forced him to miss part of the game.
Ian Thorpe: The Australian swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist has discussed his battle with migraines throughout his competitive career.
Amanda Beard: A seven-time Olympic medalist in swimming, Beard has shared her experiences with migraines, including symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity.
Steve Kerr: The NBA coach and former player missed several games due to severe headaches and complications from back surgery, highlighting the impact of migraines on his professional life.
DeShone Kizer: The NFL quarterback has dealt with chronic migraines since childhood, which have occasionally affected his performance during games.
These accounts highlight that migraines do not discriminate, affecting individuals from all walks of life. Today, with increased awareness and advanced treatment options, those who suffer from migraines have more resources than ever for preventing migraines or managing their symptoms. If you struggle with migraines, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone—many of history’s greatest figures have walked the same path, proving that even in the face of pain, greatness is possible.
