Strange History

History’s Strangest Companions: 15 Famous People Who Kept Truly Weird Pets

Darren - November 26, 2025

Throughout history, the world’s most influential figures have often surprised us with their tastes—not just in fashion or food, but also in pet ownership. From exotic reptiles to barnyard oddities, some of history’s brightest minds and biggest personalities have kept animal companions most would never dream of bringing home. These peculiar partnerships reveal as much about human nature as they do about the animals themselves, offering a unique window into the private lives of icons from ancient times to the modern era.

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1. Salvador Dalí and His Ocelot, Babou

Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí took eccentricity to another level by adopting an ocelot named Babou. Dalí famously brought Babou along to hotels, restaurants, and even on transatlantic voyages, often startling bystanders who mistook the wild cat for a domestic pet. For Dalí, Babou symbolized both status and his love of the unexpected. Dalí’s fondness for exotic animals set him apart from his contemporaries.

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2. Teddy Roosevelt and His White House Menagerie

President Theodore Roosevelt filled the White House with an array of animals, including a badger, snakes, a one-legged rooster, and even a hyena. One of his most famous pets was a small pig named Maude. Roosevelt’s menagerie highlighted his fascination with the natural world, a passion that helped inspire the national parks movement. His unconventional White House pets have fascinated historians for decades.

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3. Audrey Hepburn and Pippin the Deer

While filming ‘Green Mansions,’ Audrey Hepburn adopted a deer named Pippin (‘Ip’). The gentle fawn was allowed to roam Hepburn’s home and even slept beside her, forging a unique bond rarely seen between humans and wild animals. Hepburn’s affection for Pippin is echoed in photographs, showing the star strolling through Beverly Hills with her spotted companion.

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4. Lord Byron and His College Bear

Famed poet Lord Byron was forbidden from keeping a dog at Cambridge, so he found a creative loophole and brought a tame bear as his companion instead. The bear reportedly followed Byron around campus and even accompanied him on walks. Byron’s flair for the dramatic extended to his unusual pet choices, symbolizing his rebellious nature.

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5. Elvis Presley and His Chimpanzee, Scatter

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll had a soft spot for animals, but his most infamous pet was Scatter, a mischievous chimpanzee. Scatter was known for his antics at Graceland, causing daily chaos and even dressing in human clothes. Elvis’s devotion to his pet was typical of his larger-than-life persona, though Scatter’s pranks sometimes troubled staff and guests.

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6. Frida Kahlo’s Menagerie of Monkeys and More

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo surrounded herself with an eclectic array of pets, including spider monkeys, parrots, and hairless Xoloitzcuintli dogs. Her monkey Fulang Chang, often seen in her self-portraits, became a symbol of tender companionship. Kahlo’s personal zoo not only provided inspiration for her paintings but also reflected her passion for indigenous animals and culture.

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7. Pope Leo X and His White Elephant

Pope Leo X’s favorite pet was Hanno, a rare white elephant gifted to him in 1514. Hanno became a symbol of papal power and often appeared in parades and ceremonies at the Vatican. The elephant’s presence created public fascination and awe, as elephants were rarely seen in Europe at the time.

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8. Josephine Baker and Her Cheetah, Chiquita

Entertainer Josephine Baker owned Chiquita, a cheetah who often accompanied her on stage and in public. The big cat, sometimes clad in a diamond collar, roamed freely in her Parisian apartment and traveled across Europe with Baker. Chiquita’s presence was both a fashion statement and an expression of Baker’s outsize personality.

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9. Tippi Hedren’s Lions and ‘Shambala’ Sanctuary

Actress Tippi Hedren, famed for her role in ‘The Birds,’ adopted a lion named Neil and lived with as many as a dozen big cats while creating the Shambala Preserve in California. Her home was featured in LIFE magazine, leading to questions about wild pets in domestic spaces. Hedren later advocated for animal rights and stricter laws on exotic pet ownership.

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10. Mike Tyson and His Bengal Tigers

Boxing legend Mike Tyson is nearly as famous for his trio of pet Bengal tigers as he is for his athletic career. The tigers—Kenya, Storm, and Boris—once lived on Tyson’s estate and featured in media appearances. Tyson’s love for big cats reflected his quest for uniqueness, though he later admitted the animals proved too challenging as pets.

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11. Grace Coolidge and Rebecca the Raccoon

First Lady Grace Coolidge welcomed a raccoon named Rebecca during her time in the White House. Originally intended as a Thanksgiving meal, Rebecca became an adored part of the Coolidge household, attending events on a leash and receiving personalized gifts. The raccoon’s presence delighted children and guests, highlighting a softer side of Coolidge.

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12. Charles Dickens and Grip the Raven

Charles Dickens’s pet raven, Grip, was notorious for his theatrical antics and biting wit. The bird inspired Edgar Allan Poe’s poem ‘The Raven’ and features in Dickens’s own works, notably ‘Barnaby Rudge.’ Grip’s ability to speak and mimic made him a celebrity among Dickens’s social circle.

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13. Florence Nightingale and Her Owl, Athena

Nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale rescued a juvenile little owl (Athene noctua) in Athens, Greece, naming her Athena. The owl traveled in Nightingale’s pocket as a chick and later lived in her London home, becoming a cherished companion and symbol of wisdom. Nightingale’s devotion to Athena reflected her deep compassion for all living beings.

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14. Hermann Göring and His Lion Cubs

Nazi official Hermann Göring notoriously kept lion cubs as pets, photographed cuddling with them at his country estate. Göring’s fascination with power extended to his choice of companions, using his menagerie as a tool for intimidation and propaganda. His lion cubs remained a little-known aspect of his infamous legacy.

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15. William Randolph Hearst and His Private Zoo

American press magnate William Randolph Hearst created a vast private zoo at Hearst Castle, including elephants, zebras, antelope, and even polar bears. His ambition to own exotic species matched his desire for control and spectacle. The Hearst Zoo remains one of the largest collections ever owned privately, and some of its animals still roam the grounds today.

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A Menagerie Like No Other

The lives of history’s most celebrated figures are often marked by quirks as fascinating as their public personas. Their relationships with unconventional pets reveal not only creativity and daring but also loneliness, eccentricity, and rebellion. These stories of unusual companionship serve as reminders that, at every era, the animal kingdom has played an unexpected role in the human drama. Whether for status, amusement, or genuine love, these extraordinary pets have earned a place in history beside their famous owners.

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